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The quote in the above headline is from Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This is her comment on the recently released report of Michael Fakhri, the United Nations Special Rapporteur report on the right to food. MAHMOOD SANGLAY provides an analysis of Fakhri’s report.
The powerful quote by Albanese merits a full rendition.
‘The way Israel is destroying Palestinian food sovereignty will be studied not only as a shocking example of genocidal conduct, but also as a textbook case of sadistic disrespect for human life & dignity.’
Fakhri offers a damning indictment of Israel’s genocidal starvation campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza, with the complicity of the West. The report, enriched by testimonies and data from humanitarian workers and Palestinian civilians, provides an overwhelming body of evidence demonstrating the deliberate, calculated efforts to destroy the Palestinian population’s food system.
According to Fakhri the report cannot convey the profound gravity of Palestinian suffering, hence the need to provide graphic content to augment and complement the text. Omar Khouri’s evocative illustrations are a powerful adjunct to the report.
Fakhri’s report emphasises that starvation is not merely an unintended consequence of Israel’s siege of Gaza, but a deliberate strategy to break the Palestinian spirit and force mass displacement. The report documents how Israel has systematically razed agricultural land, poisoned water sources and destroyed fishing vessels. Khouri’s illustrations tell part of that story.
The intention behind this starvation campaign is to erase Palestinians from their land. Since 1948, Israel has pursued an expansionist policy aimed at annexing Palestinian territories. The current escalation in Gaza is merely the latest chapter in this long-standing policy of settler-colonialism. In doing so, Israel not only violates international humanitarian law but also flouts international norms against genocide.
The complicity of Western powers, especially the United States, in perpetuating Israel’s genocidal actions must be noted. The report provides clear evidence that Western countries have enabled Israel’s blockade and continued siege by supplying arms and offering diplomatic support. American military support has emboldened Israel to continue its brutal occupation of Palestine with impunity.
Despite overwhelming evidence of Israel’s use of starvation as a genocidal tactic, calls for sanctions and punitive actions against Israel remain in limbo. Many Western countries refuse to pressure Israel for fear of upsetting their geopolitical alliances. Fakhri notes that this lack of action reflects the global community’s selective enforcement of international law, wherein certain countries can act with impunity while others face severe consequences for far less.
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The United States, in particular, is an active participant in the atrocities committed against Palestinians. Furthermore, the withholding of humanitarian aid by Israel, despite international pressure, reveals the complicity of corporations and international bodies that have turned a blind eye to the weaponisation of aid.
By depriving civilians of essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine, Israel has turned hunger into a tool of war, transforming Gaza into what Fakhri calls ‘a concentration camp on a grand scale.’ This brutal strategy has led to mass famine, with children, the most vulnerable, suffering the worst.
Amidst the relentless siege and violence, the Palestinians have shown remarkable faith, resilience and courage. Despite the destruction of their infrastructure and food system, the Palestinian people have continued to resist their oppressors through steadfastness and dignity. The report highlights the collective resilience of the Palestinian community, whose commitment to their land and sovereignty remains steadfast.
Palestinians’ resistance is not limited to physical endurance, but is deeply rooted in their cultural and religious identity. For many, their struggle is an expression of faith, drawing strength from the Quranic teachings of perseverance in the face of adversity. The Palestinian people’s resilience is also evident in their ability to mobilise the international community, raising awareness of their plight.
Despite the limited media coverage of the genocide, Palestinians have used social media and grassroots campaigns to expose the atrocities committed by Israel. Their efforts have garnered international solidarity movements, with protests erupting across the globe in support of Palestinian liberation.
