Prominent Jewish Figures Urge UN to Sanction Israel Over Gaza Actions
Hundreds of prominent Jewish figures have called on the UN and global leaders to impose sanctions on Israel over what they describe as “unconscionable” actions in Gaza, which they allege amount to genocide. An open letter signed by more than 450 signatories—including former Israeli officials, intellectuals, and artists—urges governments to hold Israel accountable for alleged violations of international law in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The appeal coincides with reports that EU leaders may abandon plans to introduce sanctions against Israel. The group has urged world leaders to enforce International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court rulings, halt arms sales, and impose targeted sanctions on Israeli officials and entities complicit in alleged crimes.
The petition follows a shift in public opinion among American Jews and voters more broadly. A recent Washington Post poll found that 61% of US Jews believe Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, and 39% say it is committing genocide. Israel launched its military operation in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage in October 2023. The scale of the Israeli response has elicited widespread condemnation and has prompted a wave of support for the Palestinian people. Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported at least 68,000 Palestinians killed and more than 170,000 injured over the past two years. The UN has estimated that around 90% of Gaza’s residents have been internally displaced.