# Family Member Challenges Lemkin Institute's Use of Name

> Joseph Lemkin seeks to remove his family name from group accusing Israel of genocide
- Title: Family Member Challenges Lemkin Institute's Use of Name
- Summary: Joseph Lemkin seeks to remove his family name from group accusing Israel of genocide Joseph Lemkin, son of Holocaust survivor, wants Lemkin Institute to stop…
- Keywords: joseph lemmkin, raphael lemmkin, lemkin institute, genocide, israel, pennsylvania, democratic pennsylvania governor, european jewish association, holocaust, hamas attacks, genocide convention, Family
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/world/family-member-lawyer-who-coined-genocide-seeks-strip-name-from-group-accusing-israel-atrocity
- Author: Beth Bailey
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: joseph lemmkin, raphael lemmkin, lemkin institute, genocide, israel, pennsylvania, democratic pennsylvania governor, european jewish association, holocaust, hamas attacks, genocide convention, un
## Family Member of Genocide Term Creator
Joseph Lemkin, son of Holocaust survivor, wants Lemkin Institute to stop using family name to accuse Israel of genocide
## Lemkin Institute Warns of Genocide in Gaza
The institute warned of genocide in Gaza since Oct 13, 2023, less than a week after Hamas killed 1,200 people
## Institute Accuses U.S. and Israel of Genocide
The institute said the U.S. and Israel are committing genocide in Gaza after enabling genocide against Armenians of Artsakh
## Joseph Lemkin's Holocaust Background
Joseph grew up with a black cloud of Holocaust trauma after his family of six was killed during the Holocaust
## Joseph's Father Funded Raphael's Funeral
Joseph's father raised funds for Raphael Lemkin's funeral when he died in 1959
## Joseph's Son Sees Social Media Post
Joseph's teenage son showed him a social media post from the Lemkin Institute accusing Israel of genocide
## Joseph Files Complaint with Pennsylvania
Joseph worked with European Jewish Association to submit complaint to Pennsylvania governor and state department
## Pennsylvania Department of State Response
Pennsylvania Department of State says they cannot confirm or deny any complaint filed against the institute
## Lemkin Institute Press Release
The institute stated Joseph Lemkin does not speak for the entire Lemkin family and has no legal battle with the family
## Lemkin Institute's Mission
The institute was founded in 2016 to prevent genocide for Jewish people, Palestinians, Armenians, and others
## Legal Concerns About Name Use
Lawyer Nitsana Darshan-Leitner says using Raphael Lemkin's name without permission could be deceptive charitable solicitation
## Historian Calls Accusations Blood Libel
Historian Sir Simon Schama called accusations of Israeli genocide in Gaza a blood libel
## Institute Publishes Genocide Report
The institute published a report saying Israel is committing atrocity crimes but not genocide
## Key takeaway

Joseph Lemkin, son of Holocaust survivor, wants Lemkin Institute to stop using family name to accuse Israel of genocide