Elders group of global leaders warns of Gaza 'genocide'
"Today we express our shock and outrage at Israel's deliberate obstruction of the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza," the non-governmental group of public figures, founded by former South Africa president Nelson Mandela in 2007, said in a statement after delegates visited border crossings in Egypt.
"What we saw and heard underlines our personal conviction that there is not only an unfolding, human-caused famine in Gaza. There is an unfolding genocide," it added.
Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand, called on Israel to open the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza so aid could be delivered, after visiting the site.
"Many new mothers are unable to feed themselves or their newborn babies adequately, and the health system is collapsing," she said.
"All of this threatens the very survival of an entire generation."
Ms Clark was joined by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the visit.
She said that international leaders "have the power and the legal obligation to apply measures to pressure this Israeli government to end its atrocity crimes".
"A significant proportion of manifested trucks are turned away with vital supplies. The world needs to know... This has to stop."
Mary Robinson and @HelenClarkNZ witness the devastating reality at the closed Rafah border with Gaza. pic.twitter.com/ocDlg5lUfa
— The Elders (@TheElders) August 12, 2025
Call for ceasefire, hostage release
The delegation "saw evidence of food and medical aid denied entry, and heard witness accounts of the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children, while trying to access aid inside Gaza," said the statement.
They urged Israel and Hamas to agree a ceasefire and for the immediate release of remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
The London-based group also called for the "recognition of the State of Palestine", but added "this will not halt the unfolding genocide and famine in Gaza".
"Transfers of arms and weapons components to Israel must be suspended immediately," it added, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be sanctioned.
Israel has faced mounting criticism over the 22-month-long war with Hamas, with United Nations-backed experts warning of widespread famine unfolding in besieged Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu is under mounting pressure to secure the release of the remaining hostages, as well as over his plans to expand the war, which he has vowed to do with or without the backing of Israel's allies.
Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,499 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, whose toll the UN considers reliable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Gareth Sheridan defends ties to controversial senator, and links to Israel in bruising press conference
Presidential election hopeful Gareth Sheridan was forced to defend a $25,000 fine, ties to senator Sharon Keogan, and links to an Israeli hospital in a bruising first press conference since announcing his bid. The 35-year-old founder of pharma company Nutriband, who has a net worth of over €13m, argued his success should not be used against him in the presidential race. Mr Sheridan said he was 'confident that we have a path to a nomination with proposers and seconders and at least six councils', including Tipperary and Laois. To get on the ballot paper for the presidential election, a candidate must have the backing of 20 Oireachtas members, or four local authorities. Independent Sharon Keogan, who has been criticised for comments on immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, and surrogacy, has helped Mr Sheridan meet councillors. In a Virgin Media interview, he distanced himself from some of her comments. At his press conference, he said Ms Keogan had a 'very strong influence among independent councillors in the country', and saying they were actually introduced by an independent councillor. Mr Sheridan also addressed a report in the Irish Examiner that his mother had objected to a housing development, citing concerns about social housing, at the 'behest' of her employer, who was behind the project. He denied this undermined his message on the housing crisis, adding his mother grew up in social housing. 'The Nutriband journey […] was by no means a fairytale journey,' he said. 'I've made the phone calls home asking for help with rent. I understand the value of a euro. I'll never take that for granted because I didn't have it at one point. 'I think we have to be careful that we don't get into a position that if an entrepreneur who's aspiring in this country makes a success out of an idea that they have, that all of a sudden, it's a negative.' He further confirmed he was worth $15.5m (€13.3m). This includes $15m in Nutriband shares and $500,000 in cash. He said he would use his savings to fund his campaign. In relation to the ,000 fine levied at him by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), he argued it followed an 'honest mistake' and he and the company 'paid our dues and moved on'. The company had said a product did not need approval from the FDA in filings to the SEC. He added Nutriband had 'relied on people who did know the rules and regulations' but had turned out to be wrong. Mr Sheridan also addressed reports his company had given $50,000 to an Israeli hospital training Israeli Defence Force soldiers. The company worked with two doctors who 'developed a device that liquefied tablets for people who couldn't swallow'. He said the project was 'shelved'. He said he would have 'no issue whatsoever' about the prospect of signing the Occupied Territories Bill into law if he was president, adding what was happening in Palestine the 'utmost banality of evil'. Mr Sheridan described immigration as a 'tricky subject', but said Ireland did not have an immigration problem, and there was a problem with the system. He also confirmed he was against Government proposals to amend the Triple Lock.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Israel announces settlement plan to 'bury' idea of Palestinian state
Israel's far-right Minister for Finance Bezalel Smotrich has announced that work will start on a long-delayed settlement to divide the West Bank and cut if off from East Jerusalem. His office said the move would "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up any internationally backed peace plans for the region. Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim, Mr Smotrich said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Mr Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear that settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own. In a statement, headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Mr Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3,401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Mr Smotrich said the plan would take effect on Wednesday. Breaking the Silence, a rights group established by former Israeli soldiers, criticised the minister, accusing him of encouraging West Bank settlement activity while the world's attention is on Gaza. This land grab and settlement expansion will not only further fragment the Palestinian territory, but will further entrench apartheid," it said. A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the United States to pressure Israel to stop settlement building. European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said: The EU rejects any territorial change that is not part of a political agreement between involved parties. So annexation of territory is illegal under international law". Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the move showed that Israel "seeks to appropriate land owned by Palestinians in order to prevent a two-state solution". Qatar, which has mediated between Hamas and Israel in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned Mr Smotrich's actions as a "blatant violation of international law". Peace Now, which tracks settlement activity in the West Bank, said there were still steps needed before construction. However, if all were taken, infrastructure work could begin within a few months, and house building in about a year. "The E1 plan is deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution. "We are standing at the edge of an abyss, and the government is driving us forward at full speed," Peace Now said in a statement. Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries, but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The United Nations and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The proposal envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Israel cites historical and biblical ties to the area and says the settlements provide strategic depth and security. Most of the global community considers all settlements illegal under international law. Israel rejects this interpretation, saying the West Bank is "disputed" rather than "occupied" territory. In June, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand imposed sanctions on Mr Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Mr Smotrich's popularity has fallen in recent months with polls showing his party, which largely draws its support from settlers, would not win a single seat if parliamentary elections were held today.
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Israel's Bezalel Smotrich announces West Bank settlement plan to 'bury' idea of Palestinian state
Standing at the site in Maale Adumim, Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 scheme, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. 'Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza in the war with Palestinian militant group Hamas and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear the settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own in the area. In a statement headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3,401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In Maale Adumim, Smotrich told Reuters the plan would go into effect on Wednesday, without specifying what would happen on that day. The Palestinian foreign ministry called the plan an extension of crimes of genocide, displacement and annexation. Israel has long rejected accusations of genocide and rights abuses and said it is acting in its own defence. Hamas described the plan as part of Israel's "colonial, extremist" policies and called on Palestinians to confront it. Jordan's foreign ministry condemned the move as a flagrant violation of international law. Peace Now, which tracks settlement activity in the West Bank, said there were still steps needed before construction, including the approval of Israel's High Planning Council. But if all went through, infrastructure work could begin within a few months, and house building in about a year. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'The E1 plan is deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution. We are standing at the edge of an abyss, and the government is driving us forward at full speed," Peace Now said in a statement. HOUSE BUILDING 'IN A YEAR' Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7m Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The UN and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The two-state plan envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the area, which it calls Judea and Samaria, and says the settlements provide strategic depth and security. Most of the international community considers all settlements illegal under international law, a position backed by numerous UN Security Council resolutions, including one which called on Israel to halt all settlement activity. Israel rejects this interpretation, saying the West Bank is "disputed" rather than "occupied" territory. Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand imposed sanctions in June on Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Smotrich's popularity has fallen in recent months with polls showing his party would not win a single seat if parliamentary elections were held today. His party largely draws its support from settlers.
