‘Moral obligation’: Top Jewish group calls for Israel to allow more aid into Gaza

One of the country’s top Jewish organisations has argued Israel has a moral obligation to ensure the flow of sufficient aid into Gaza, saying it is deeply troubled by the suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians.

The statement by the Zionist Federation of Australia – the peak body for Zionist organisations and activity in Australia – contrasts with the Israeli embassy in Canberra’s claim on Monday that there is no starvation in Gaza.

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen, in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip.Credit: AP

It also represents the most direct call from the nation’s main pro-Israel groups for more to be done to ensure that enough food and other essential supplies are delivered to Gazan civilians.

Zionist Federation president Jeremy Leibler said the organisation continues to stand “shoulder to shoulder with the state of Israel, as its people fight a just war to secure the removal of Hamas from power and the return of the hostages”.

“Our humanity also compels us to recognise the pain and suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza,” Leibler said.

“We are deeply troubled by the reports of hunger in parts of Gaza.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said it was important to recognise the suffering of Palestinian civilians.Credit: Penny Stephens

In a statement intended to convey the growing distress in much of the nation’s Jewish community about images of starving Palestinian children and lengthy food queues in Gaza, he continued: “We call upon Israel, the United Nations and their counterparts to do everything within their power to ensure that sufficient humanitarian aid flows to Palestinian civilians without delay.

“That is their collective moral obligation.”

His statement goes further than groups such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which has recognised “immense suffering” in Gaza but solely blamed Hamas, and the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council. The latter accused Australia and other nations of “absurdly [accepting] Hamas propaganda claims about the situation in Gaza and the aid efforts there, often amplified by UN agencies, as proven facts”.

Leibler added that the Zionist Federation welcomed recent steps Israel has made to facilitate the delivery of more aid, including daily pauses in fighting and the opening of new aid corridors.

Founded in 1927, the federation says on its website it is “responsible for developing, enriching and supporting a meaningful relationship between the Australian Jewish community and the State of Israel.”

Leibler said that the ultimate responsibility for the humanitarian suffering in Gaza rested with Hamas, which launched the October 7 attacks that killed an estimated 1200 people.

Accusing the militant group, a listed terror organisation in Australia, of stealing aid to fund its war effort and sabotaging the distribution of aid, he said: “It is essential that Hamas returns to negotiations and accepts the hostage exchange and ceasefire agreement that is ultimately on the table and ultimately is removed from power in Gaza.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday “claims that there is no starvation are beyond comprehension”, refuting declarations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli diplomats in Canberra.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley declined to answer repeated questions about whether she believed there was starvation in Gaza, saying she was “very distressed by the images that I’ve seen” but added that it’s “a complex situation on the ground” in Gaza.

The UN World Food Program said on Tuesday that Gaza faces the grave risk of famine, with food consumption and nutrition indicators reaching their worst levels since the conflict began.

“Data shows that more than one in three people (39 per cent) are now going days at a time without eating,” the organisation said.

“More than 500,000 people – nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population – are enduring famine-like conditions, while the remaining population is facing emergency levels of hunger.”

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that one child whose plight became a symbol of hunger and suffering last week had pre-existing health problems. Citing new information from the child’s doctor, the paper reported the issues affecting Muhammad Zakaria Ayyoub al-Matouq’s brain and muscle development.

But his health deteriorated rapidly in recent months as it became increasingly difficult to find food and medical care, the Times reported, and the medical clinic that treated him said he suffers from severe malnutrition. “I look at him and I can’t help but cry,” al-Matouq’s mother told the Times.

US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu’s, has called for “every ounce of food” to be allowed into the besieged strip and said there was “real starvation” in Gaza.

“I see it and you can’t fake that,” Trump said. “So we’re going to be even more involved.”

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