Words are not enough – action is needed now to stop Israel’s siege of Gaza
24 May 2025
Israel’s allies are finally speaking up against the intolerable suffering Israel is inflicting on the people of Gaza. But strong statements are not enough. It is beyond time for states to end military and security cooperation with Israel and take concrete measures to inhibit Israel’s capacity to commit crimes against the populations of Gaza and the West Bank.
On 19 May, the UK, France and Canada issued a joint statement which demands that Israel cease the renewed military offensive and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. At the same time, 27 donor countries and the EU called for a full resumption of aid into Gaza which respects humanitarian principles. While these statements are welcome, it is already too late for many civilians in Gaza, which underlines the urgent need for immediate action.
Starvation in Gaza is not only the consequence of the last 11 weeks, in which no humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter Gaza, but also of the near-total destruction of the Gaza Strip wrought by the Israeli Defence Forces since October 2023. 80% of Gazans were already dependent on humanitarian aid before the war due to Israel’s long-running blockade on the territory.
UN special rapporteurs and human rights organisations have described Israel’s conduct as constituting a genocide, a crime against humanity. In early May Benyamin Netanyahu’s government declared the aims of its renewed offensive include Israel’s intention to retain a permanent presence in Gaza and population transfer, which would amount to ethnic cleansing.
The gravity of Israel’s ongoing crimes in Gaza – together with the illegal occupation of the West Bank – make it clear that sustained delivery of adequate levels of humanitarian aid without impediment is a necessary, but not sufficient, step. Too often Israel’s allies have chosen to point towards delivery of some humanitarian aid as the test of Israel’s appropriate conduct: calls for the free flow of aid must go hand in hand with clear messages on the need to end the military operations and occupation which have created the need for this aid. Humanitarian aid must not be a figleaf for the continuation of the war.
Israel’s allies and other states have waited too long to apply measures that could materially impact Israel, contributing to a lack of accountability which has enabled its conduct. States that have continued to export arms to Israel have been complicit in its commission of crimes, which have included mass killing of civilians through explosive weapons, deliberate starvation, the systematic destruction of hospitals and use of sexual and gender-based violence.
At a minimum, all states and multilateral organisations, such as the EU must:
- Apply a full suspension of any military/security cooperation with Israel, including a two-way arms embargo and a cessation of any training and intelligence support. Those states that are part of the F-35 global programme must stop providing any components either directly or indirectly to Israel.
- Pro-actively support efforts towards accountability, including the International Criminal Court’s efforts to prosecute all those responsible for war crimes on 7 October 2023 and after, and the opinions and proceedings of the International Court of Justice.
- The EU must immediately suspend its Association Agreement with Israel.
Such actions need to remain in place until there is a negotiated end to the current system of apartheid and illegal military occupation. A partial lifting of the blockade, or a reduction in the Israeli presence in Gaza, or a halt to the expansion of current settlements in the West Bank, are not sufficient to permit a return to business as usual.
The first step towards a more peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis rests on a return to meaningful negotiations, which requires Israel to end its current assault on Gaza and recognise the humanity of Palestinians. The deep-rooted injustices at the heart of this conflict can no longer be swept under the carpet.
See also:
22 April 2025: World leaders must act to end Israel’s unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory
21 March 2025: Israel’s renewed assault on the population of Gaza reinforces the urgent need to impose a comprehensive arms embargo
17 February 2025: Open letter, Over 230 global organisations demand governments producing F-35 jets stop arming Israel
1 November 2024: Saferworld statement, Urgent call to end impunity for atrocities committed by Israel in Palestine and Lebanon
