Elders' members Mary Robinson and Helen Clark have accused Israel of deliberately obstructing life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning of an “unfolding genocide” and mass starvation that threatens an entire generation.
In a joint statement following their visit to Egypt and the Rafah border crossing from 9–12 August, the two Elders expressed “shock and outrage” at the continued denial of food, medicine, and shelter materials into Gaza, and at the targeted killing of journalists, including Anas al-Sharif and four of his colleagues. They called the situation a “human-caused famine” that is being compounded by attacks on health facilities and repeated displacement of families.
According to the Elders, at least 36 children starved to death in July alone, and 96% of households face water insecurity. They urged Israel to open all border crossings immediately, including Rafah, and for world leaders to take decisive measures to pressure Israel’s leadership to end what they described as “atrocity crimes.”
Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and ex-UNDP Administrator, highlighted UNFPA figures showing Gaza’s birth rate has dropped by more than 40% in the first half of 2025 compared to three years ago. She warned that the collapse of the health system, lack of safe birthing conditions, and food insecurity for mothers and newborns threaten “the very survival of an entire generation.”
Answering a question from Sada Elbalad English (See) about how she viewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for Gaza, Clark said she rejected the proposal outright, noting that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the longest-running conflict in modern history.
Meanwhile, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and ex-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said governments failing to act were becoming “increasingly complicit.” She called for urgent international pressure, especially in light of Netanyahu’s “Gaza City takeover plan,” urging U.S. President Donald Trump to use his leverage to push for a policy change.
The Elders demanded the release of all Israeli hostages by Hamas and the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners detained without charge by Israel. They also urged recognition of the State of Palestine by at least 20 more countries by September, including G7 and EU member states, and welcomed Australia’s recent announcement in this regard.
They called for the suspension of arms transfers to Israel, commending Germany’s decision to halt weapons exports, and urged targeted sanctions on Netanyahu and his security cabinet. They also pressed for the suspension of preferential trade agreements with Israel and divestment from Israeli firms implicated in international law violations.
“The uncomfortable truth is that many states are prioritising their own economic and security interests, even as the world reels from the images of Gazan children starving to death,” the statement concluded.
The visit to Egypt included meetings with humanitarian workers, Palestinian civil society representatives, diplomats, and Egyptian officials, as part of the Elders’ ongoing efforts to promote a sustainable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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