LEVIN'S VOTING RECORD ON ISRAEL
is anyone calling it a 'Famine'?
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Organizations, Countries, and Leading Figures on Famine in Gaza
A wide range of international organizations, countries, and leading figures are expressing serious concerns about the unfolding situation in Gaza, with many explicitly stating that famine is occurring or imminent.
Organizations
- Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC): This UN-backed body, responsible for assessing food security globally, has issued an alert stating the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza”. They've confirmed that key famine thresholds for food consumption and acute malnutrition have been reached, particularly in Gaza City.
- United Nations:
- Secretary-General António Guterres declared that Gaza is “on the brink of famine” and that the alert confirms what the UN has feared.
- UN agencies like UNICEF and WFP have also sounded alarms, stating that children in Gaza are trapped in a nightmare, and many are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and dying from hunger-related causes.
- The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has warned that starvation is being used as a weapon of war and constitutes a crime under international law, urging Israel to restore unimpeded access for impartial humanitarian organizations.
- UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, highlights the widespread malnutrition, particularly among children, and the severe lack of essential supplies like food, water, and medicine, noting that their aid has been blocked from entering Gaza for an extended period.
- International Criminal Court (ICC): The ICC is actively investigating the situation in Palestine and has issued arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on various charges, including the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare.
- Humanitarian Organizations: Over 100 international aid and human rights groups, including Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam, have issued warnings about mass starvation and pressed governments for action. Other organizations like CARE, the Gaza Soup Kitchen, and MedGlobal are also actively working on the ground and highlighting the catastrophic situation.
Countries
- United Kingdom: Along with other allies, has condemned the Israeli military operation in Gaza City, expressing concern about the humanitarian consequences and potential violations of international humanitarian law.
- Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand: Have joined the UK in condemning the Israeli operation and highlighting the humanitarian crisis.
- United States: While President Trump has expressed concerns about the “real starvation” in Gaza and urged Israel to allow more aid, his administration has also been criticized for its role in enabling the GHF aid system and withdrawing from key humanitarian efforts.
- Saudi Arabia: Condemned Israel's decision to occupy Gaza City and denounced the starvation and brutal practices against Palestinians, also reiterating its call for a two-state solution.
- France: Expressed strong condemnation and joined the call for a ceasefire.
- Other countries: Many other countries, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland have also signed statements condemning Israel's denial of humanitarian assistance and calling for a ceasefire.
Leading figures
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres: As noted above, he has been a prominent voice in highlighting the severity of the crisis in Gaza.
- ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan: His decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli officials and Hamas leaders underscores the seriousness of the starvation allegations.
- Donald Trump: While his administration's policies have been criticized, Trump has recently acknowledged the “real starvation” in Gaza and pressed Israel on aid delivery.
- UN agency officials and humanitarian leaders: Individuals like Ross Smith (WFP), Sofia Calltorp (UN Women), and Philippe Lazzarini (UNRWA) have voiced strong concerns and repeatedly called for urgent action to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Note: While many international bodies and figures are highlighting the dire situation and using terms like “famine,” Israel denies that starvation is occurring or that it is using starvation as a method of warfare, blaming Hamas for the crisis and asserting that it is facilitating aid. However, the overwhelming consensus among independent experts and humanitarian organizations is that a severe and preventable humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza, characterized by widespread starvation and malnutrition, which demands immediate and sustained action.