Lemkin Institute faces legal challenge over use of Raphael Lemkin's name

A legal dispute has emerged regarding the use of the name of Raphael Lemkin, the Polish-Jewish lawyer who coined the term ‘genocide’. Joseph Lemkin, a relative of Raphael Lemkin, has objected to the Pennsylvania-based nonprofit, the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, using the family name.

The objection stems from the Institute’s designation of Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. Joseph Lemkin, a lawyer and supporter of Israel, argues that the Institute is distorting Raphael Lemkin’s legacy and using his name to advance a definition of genocide that is inconsistent with his life’s work. He stated that the association “tarnishes his memory by attaching to his name allegations that trivialize the whole concept of genocide.”

In April 2026, Joseph Lemkin and the European Jewish Association (EJA) submitted a legal memorandum to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations to formally object to the Institute’s use of the name.