A report by a senior United Nations expert on the Israel-Palestine conflict has labeled the ongoing situation in Gaza as a “collective crime” and holds nations with financial, diplomatic, and military ties to Israel accountable for its consequences. The findings, released as part of a draft report, argue that the systematic destruction of Gaza—resulting in over 10% of the population killed or injured and nearly all displaced—could not have occurred without the support of more than 60 countries.
The report was authored by Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. She is set to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during an upcoming lecture series hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Albanese asserts that the international community faces a critical juncture, where the collapse of the global rule of law could be averted only through confronting complicity, fulfilling responsibilities, and upholding justice. She describes the current situation as a “livestreamed atrocity,” facilitated by third states through direct support, material aid, diplomatic protection, and, in some cases, active participation.
She identifies Western nations, particularly the United States, as the most responsible for enabling the ongoing conflict. The U.S. accounts for two-thirds of Israel’s annual arms imports and has spent over $38 billion since October 2023, including funding military operations against Iran, Lebanon, and other Middle Eastern nations. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the U.S. has also provided diplomatic cover for Israel, often proposing temporary pauses in hostilities rather than advocating for a lasting ceasefire.
The U.S. has repeatedly used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block binding ceasefire resolutions. In September, it vetoed a 14-1 resolution that would have required both sides to halt violence and release hostages. Additionally, the U.S. has sanctioned the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. The Trump administration also imposed sanctions on Albanese herself for her support of the ICC’s efforts.
Albanese highlights the role of American non-governmental organizations linked to former President Donald Trump in establishing and managing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). These groups administered aid sites after the displacement of major humanitarian agencies like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). However, Israeli forces have described these sites as “killing fields,” leading to the deaths of over 1,000 aid seekers within three months.
Albanese criticizes U.S. politicians for rhetoric that prioritizes Israeli lives over Palestinian ones, framing Israelis as “civilians” and “hostages” while portraying Palestinians as “Hamas terrorists” or “collateral targets.” She argues that such narratives have contributed to the prolongation of the conflict.
European nations are also implicated in the report. Germany, for example, has supplied Israel with over $565 million in weapons, making it the second-largest arms exporter after the U.S. The United Kingdom has participated in numerous surveillance missions over Gaza, and its prime minister, Keir Starmer, defended Israel’s actions in cutting off water and power to civilians at the war’s outset.
Other European countries, including France, Italy, and Denmark, as well as Arab nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, are cited for increasing trade with Israel during the conflict. Albanese argues that their continued economic support legitimizes and sustains the Israeli “apartheid regime” and mitigates the trade decline Israel might otherwise face due to its growing isolation.
Despite the current ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, Albanese contends that the agreement is “absolutely inadequate” and fails to meet international legal standards. She also criticizes recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Western nations as a symbolic gesture that has not effectively addressed the ongoing humanitarian emergency.
Albanese concludes that all nations maintaining diplomatic, economic, political, or military ties with Israel bear some responsibility for the ongoing situation. She calls for accountability and a commitment to justice in addressing the atrocities committed in Gaza.
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