Dear [Elected Official’s Name],
I am writing to express my deep concern over the deliberate targeting of Palestinian civilians in their efforts to obtain food. On Monday 2nd September, Israeli forces carried out a horrifying airstrike on a group of Palestinians who were queuing to buy bread in the Jabalya Refugee Camp. The bombing killed eight people and injured many more.
The bombing specifically targeted a bread-selling stand located at the entrance of Al Fakhoura UNRWA school, which serves as a shelter for thousands of displaced Palestinians. This was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader strategy by Israel to weaponise food access, ensuring that even those who survive their relentless bombing campaign are left to starve.
Israel’s blockade has severely restricted access to food and humanitarian aid, whilst simultaneously targeting humanitarian organisations, vehicles, and personnel attempting to distribute the limited necessities that have been allowed through. In August, Israel almost doubled its denial rate of entry for humanitarian aid missions compared to July, a clear indication of their intent to exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe.
Just one week before the bread massacre, the World Food Programme (WFP) was forced to suspend staff movements in Gaza following a brazen attack on a clearly marked aid vehicle. Despite multiple clearances from Israeli authorities, military forces fired on the humanitarian workers ten times. Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, has rightly described this as part of “Israel’s starvation strategy,” accusing the Israeli government of using food deprivation as a weapon to weaken Gaza’s population.
This weaponisation of food is not new. In February, Israeli forces opened fire on thousands of starving Palestinians who were attempting to collect flour, killing 112 and injuring over 750. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, has declared that the denial of food constitutes a war crime and creates “a situation of genocide.”
Israel is employing starvation as a genocidal tactic. Even if the bombing were to cease, the strategy of starvation would continue to threaten the lives of Palestinians. The international community must act decisively to end these inhumane tactics and ensure that the blockade and occupation ends.
Words of condemnation achieve nothing, we must sanction Israel. An arms embargo and a two-way trade embargo must be enforced until Israel ceases its illegal occupation, blockade and other human rights violations; this will also add pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza. Recognising the State of Palestine and supporting the prosecution of all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity is essential.
I look forward to your commitment to upholding international law through these actions.
Your constituent,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]