UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, has called upon the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and isolate it diplomatically if it does not cease actions perceived as genocidal against the Palestinian population. This appeal was directed at all members of the United Nations and the General Assembly.
According to Jordan News Agency, Fakhri highlighted in a statement released on Saturday the necessity for financial and economic restrictions on Israel if it is not held accountable by the international community. He emphasized that UN organizations have been targeted and impaired in the Gaza Strip more than in any other conflict globally, mentioning that Israeli attacks have included UNRWA employees, hindering them from fulfilling their responsibilities toward refugees.
Fakhri further elaborated on what he described as “starvation warfare” being conducted by Israel against Gaza’s citizens. He referred to his report submitted to the UN, which
detailed Israel’s actions in creating famine by closing crossings and preventing humanitarian aid from entering the region. He dismissed the Israeli government’s claims for blocking food and medicine as false and baseless.
The rapporteur accused Israel of dismantling Gaza’s food system by targeting food aid trucks and attacking local food producers, including fishermen, shepherds, and farmers. He remarked that Gaza’s food system has been in crisis for decades, yet Israel has faced no significant external pressure to alleviate the blockade and siege.
Fakhri concluded by urging the United Nations to address the use of starvation as a weapon globally and highlighted the importance of the International Court of Justice’s decision to end the occupation and support Palestine’s bid for full UN membership.