James Veverka: Genocide, war crimes likely committed in Gaza

To The Daily Sun,

Mark Weinreb’s “Palestinian economy is not stunted, buying plenty of arms,” claimed that Gaza “had sources for economic growth... included thriving agricultural and energy industries.” False. Israel’s blockade disrupted Gaza’s agricultural and energy industries.

Before October, Israel supplied 50% of Gaza’s electricity through 10 power lines and almost all of Gaza’s diesel fuel for Gaza’s power plant came from Israel. Gaza was energy-dependent.

Before October, most of Gaza’s fruits and vegetables were imported. Israel’s blockade limited Gaza’s ability to feed itself. It limited Gaza’s water supplies, barred access to deeper fishing waters offshore, and restricted the import and export of essential goods. Israel’s military repeatedly targeted Gaza’s farmland and energy infrastructure.

The UN Trade and Development assessment in 2022 found that the blockade hollowed out Gaza’s economy. Restrictions impeded access to health care and other essential services. Eighty percent of Gazans depended on international aid. Israel’s blockade created barriers to trade with the rest of the world, intentionally creating a lopsided dependence on Israel.

In 2011, a group of UN Special Rapporteurs reported that the blockade was a “flagrant contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law.” In 2017, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia published an official report documenting how Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid.

In 2022, the UN’s Human Rights Commission of Inquiry found that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful under international law due to its permanence and de-facto annexation policies.

The settlements are illegal. In January, the ICJ ruled that Israel’s attacks on Palestinians in Gaza may violate the Genocide Convention. In March, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Rights expert found ‘reasonable grounds’ genocide is being committed in Gaza. Israeli officials are now worried about ICC war crimes indictments.

James Veverka

Laconia