Even in the face of American intransigence, the world can act — and the U.S. government will stand naked and alone in its criminal complicity with Israel.
Photograph of a posters calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Palestine. Seen in Grenoble, France, in August 2025. (CiDiBi/ Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 4.0)
By Jeffrey D. Sachs and Sybil Fares
Common Dreams
Israel, with U.S. complicity, is committing genocide in Gaza through the mass starvation of the population as well as direct mass murders and the physical destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
Israel does the dirty work. The U.S. Government funds it and provides diplomatic cover through its U.N. veto. Palantir, through “Lavendar,” provides the AI for efficient mass murder. Microsoft, through Azure cloud services, and Google and Amazon, through the “Nimbus” initiative, supply core tech infrastructure for the Israeli army.
This marks 21st-century war crimes as an Israel-U.S. public-private partnership. Israel’s mass starvation of the people of Gaza has been confirmed by the United Nations, Amnesty International, The Red Cross, Save the Children, and many others.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, along with 100 organizations, has been calling for an end to Israel’s weaponization of food relief. This is the first time that mass starvation has been officially confirmed in the Middle East.
The scale of the starvation is staggering. Israel is systematically depriving food to more than 2 million people. Over half a million Palestinians face catastrophic hunger and at least 132,000 children aged under five are at risk of death from acute malnutrition.
The scale of the horror is thoroughly documented by Haaretz in a recent article entitled “Starvation is Everywhere.” Those who are able to somehow access food distribution sites are routinely fired on by the Israeli army.
As a former U.S. ambassador to Israel has recently explained, the intention to starve the population has been present from the start. Israel’s Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu recently declared, “there is no nation that feeds its enemies.” Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently stated, “whoever doesn’t evacuate, don’t let them. No water, no electricity; they can die of hunger or surrender. This is what we want.”
Yet despite these glaring declarations of genocide, U.S. representatives at the U.N. repeatedly deny the facts and cover for Israel’s war crimes. The U.S. alone vetoed Palestine’s admission to the U.N. in 2024.
The U.S. now denies visas to Palestinian leaders to come to the U.N. in September, yet another violation of international law.
United Nations General Assembly emergency special session meeting on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory enters its second day of deliberations, June 2025 (Evan Schneider/UN Photo)
The U.S. has used its power and especially its veto in the U.N. Security Council to abet Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians and to block even the most basic humanitarian responses. The world is aghast but seems paralyzed before the Israel-U.S. murder machine.
Yet the world can act, even in the face of U.S. intransigence. The U.S. will stand naked and alone in its criminal complicity with Israel.
Let’s be clear. The overwhelming voice of humanity is on the side of the people of Palestine. Last December, 172 countries, with more than 90 percent of the world population, voted to support Palestine’s right to self-determination. Israel and the U.S. were essentially isolated in their opposition. Similar overwhelming majorities are repeatedly expressed on behalf of Palestine and against the actions of Israel.
Israel’s thuggish government now counts solely on U.S. support, but even that may not be there for long. Despite Trump’s intransigence and U.S. government attempts to stifle pro-Palestinian voices, 58 percent of Americans want the U.N. to recognize the State of Palestine, compared to only 33 percent who do not. Moreover, 60% of Americans oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Here are practical steps that the world can take.
First, Türkiye has set the correct course by ending all economic, trade, shipping, and air links with Israel. Israel is currently a rogue state, and Türkiye is right to treat it as such until Israeli-created mass starvation ends, and a State of Palestine is admitted to the U.N. as the 194th member, with the borders of June 4, 1967. Other states should immediately follow Türkiye’s lead.
Second, all U.N. member states that have not yet done so should recognize the State of Palestine. So far, 147 countries recognize Palestine. Dozens more should do so at the U.N. Summit on Palestine on September 22, even over the vociferous objections of the United States government.
Third, the Arab signatories to the Abraham Accords, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and the U.A.E., should suspend their diplomatic relations with Israel until the Gaza siege ends and the State of Palestine is admitted to the U.N.
Fourth, the U.N. General Assembly, by a vote of two-thirds present and voting, should suspend Israel from the U.N. General Assembly until it lifts its murderous siege on Gaza, based on the precedent of suspending South Africa during its Apartheid regime. The U.S. has no veto in the U.N. General Assembly.
Fifth, U.N. member states should stop the export of all technology services that support the war, until the siege of Gaza ends and Palestine’s membership in the U.N. is adopted by the U.N. Security Council. Consumer companies such as Amazon and Microsoft that persist in aiding the Israel Defence Forces in the context of a genocide should face the wrath of consumers worldwide.
Sixth, the U.N. General Assembly should dispatch a U.N. Protection Force to Gaza and the West Bank. Typically, it would be the U.N. Security Council that mandates a protection force, but in this case, the U.S. will block the Security Council with its veto. There is another way.
Under the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism, when the Security Council is deadlocked, the authority to act passes to the General Assembly. After a Security Council session and the almost inevitable U.S. veto, the issue would be brought before the U.N.G.A. in a resumed 10th emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
There, the General Assembly can, by a two-thirds majority not subject to U.S. veto, authorize a protection force in response to an urgent request from the State of Palestine. There is a precedent: in 1956, the General Assembly authorized the U.N. Emergency Force (U.N.E.F.) to enter Egypt and protect it from the ongoing invasion by Israel, France, and the United Kingdom.
At the invitation of Palestine, the protection force would enter Gaza to secure emergency humanitarian aid for the starving population. If Israel were to attack the U.N. protection force, the force would be authorized to defend itself and the Gazans.
Whether Israel and the U.S. would dare to fight a U.N.G.A.-mandated force protecting the starving Gazans remains to be seen.
Israel has crossed the clear line into the darkest crimes—starving civilians to death and shooting them as they line up, emaciated, for food. There is no further line to cross, nor time to lose. The family of nations is being tested and summoned to action as it has not been in decades.
Jeffrey D. Sachs is a university professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he directed The Earth Institute from 2002 until 2016. He is also president of the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network and a commissioner of the U.N. Broadband Commission for Development.
Sybil Fares is a specialist and adviser in Middle East policy and sustainable development at SDSN.
This article is from Common Dreams
Views expressed in this article and may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.
“All around the world,” in Greece, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Norway, “to students occupying universities in the U.S., & Britain”. In Sydney, Australia. In Ireland. Oh, &, Scotland, The Brave!!! It’s f/universal, “People of the World,” protesting the “BBB,” BB’s IDF & BB’s Bitches’ of the West’s behavior. “It’s animal behavior,” ‘Kill, first. Think, later.” The USG’s Dept. Of War is f/indefensible! Black is White. “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”
*“When it’s [everybody’s] business to “force” Israel & the USG to change course. “There’ll be days like this. When you ring out the changes of how everything is. Well, everybody, knows, [there’ll be days like this]. Van Morrison.
….8.31.25, The “Global Sumud Flotilla w/over 50 Ships, Set Sail, on international waters, for Gaza!!!” The flotilla has become a symbol: “Solidarity Cannot Be Blockaded”. People’s Dispatch. NEEDED: “On the land, in the air & on the Mediterranean Sea, “the General Assembly’s authorized U.N. Emergency Force (U.N.E.F.) to enter [GAZA] and protect it from the “BBB,” i.e., BB’s IDF & BB’s B*tches’ of The West invasion, occupation, annihilation, genocide. Basically, destroying to dust, the Palestinians’ Nation. “The Global Sumud Flotilla is both a lifeline and a warning: Gaza will not be starved into silence, and solidarity will not be blockaded. WANTED: ”Paz En La Tierra.”
*”How many times do we have to repeat ourselves?” “THE SIEGE MUST FALL. Gaza must live. Palestine must be free.”
….“Whew! Slow. Here comes the media. Setting up their camera. Asking everyone’s opinion. About pigs, sheep & wolves.” Paul Simon.
TY, Mr. Sachs, Ms. Fares, CN, et al. “Keep It Lit!”
*President Vladimir Putin
* hxxps://consortiumnews.com/2025/08/29/global-sumud-flotilla-over-50-ships-to-set-sail-for-gaza/
“Protest & Survive!”
The people, of the world, have taken action. BDS, “LIVES!” UNRWA, “LIVES!” The FFC, “LIVES!!!” All Hail, The Freedom Flotilla Coalition-FFC!!! Solidarity, “LIVES!” For a “Master Class” in “Boycotts, Divestments, Sanctions” etc., GO TO: Craig Mokhibar, Mara Kronenfeld, People’s Dispatch; &, Consortium News dot com!!!
9.2.25, *“And, something that has given mAe hope, just in all this darkness, the most beautiful thing outside of the staff we have, which are amazing and our board, is 160,000, actually it’s now 170,000, I just checked before the call, 171,000 donors, new donors since October of 2023.” Mara Kronenfeld, UNRWA.
….“Really, the American people have stepped up while our government has stepped down.” These are Americans, 95% of Americans fm every state in this country, fm every economic background, every religious background. The average donation is about $280. So most of this is grassroots. Of course, we have very many people,” High-Rollers w/a heart, bones & the means” six-figure donations b/c “accomplishment of purpose is better than making a profit.”
TY, Mara Kronenfeld @ “Israel’s War on the UN,” @ hxxps://consortiumnews.com/2025/09/02/the-chris-hedges-report-israels-war-on-the-un/ (A Best Practice, Crank It Up!)
“Even in the face of American intransigence, the world can act — and the U.S. government will stand naked and alone in its criminal complicity with Israel.” Jeffrey D. Sachs
My first, response, was, Fugg ‘Em, Trump-Vance, Inc. Fuhgeddabout the UNGA meeting in NYC. Move On! To another venue.” &, then, SNAP! “Oh, hell to the NO!!!” This is NOT the time to FAFO the Real E$tate Developer-N-Chief wld “in a New York minute” shut the UN’s front & back doors. The United Nations stands, rock hard, on 18 acres of prime real estate, in NYC. Memo To: Trump-Vance, Inc, “Come Together” & STOP Resisting “PEACE.” “Viva, Palestina.” Valerie.
The *“United Nations Headquarters in New York City is owned by the United Nations. It is considered an international territory. “The mission of the assembly is underscored by the art and design found within the UNNY General Assembly Building. A pair of Portinari paintings (‘War’ and ‘Peace’) gifted by Brazil adorn the east and west sides of the Delegate’s lobby. ‘War’ is on view as the delegates enter the Assembly, and ‘Peace’ as they exit, representing the deliberations within the Hall to find solutions towards peace.” @ hxxps://www.un.org/ungifts/general-assembly-building
“Peace & War,” “Love & Hate,” the UNSC & the USG’s Department of War, are polar opposites. No doubt, the #1 “solution towards peace,” is the Full Withdrawal of Israel & the USG fm Gaza & the West Bank of Jordan. Otherwise, from sea to shining sea, fm the river to the sea, in the deserts here & the deserts far away, “If, you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.” George Orwell.
We have to say something about Jeffrey Sachs; he is constant. Everything has to be done ‘peacefully’, through ‘dialogue’, sometimes by voting ‘properly’ either in the UN or in local elections. Whatever is happening we have to stay ‘pure and peaceful’.
The problem with Israel is not Israel itself (although they deeply suck) but the United States. If Israel would’ve been a Russian ally instead of a US ally, the question of Israel would’ve been solved right from the start. Israel would now look like Iraq, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and so on. Everybody would point the finger at Russia for supporting a murderous apartheid regime. Since that murderous apartheid regime is supported by the US they won’t.
The United States has always been on the wrong side of the fence throughout it’s history, this time is no different. Until there is a violent revolution in the US, until the corrupt top 1% and their political minions are turned into dog food, things will stay the same. Simple as that. So all that talk about ending trade with Israel, treating Israel as a rogue state, recognizing the state of Palestine, and so on… is just stupid posturing for those whose ‘souls’ needs to be kept pure. It won’t change a single thing because the problem, as I said before, is the US itself. The whole world, not just the Americans, needs a revolution in the US!
If Jeffrey Sachs was serious about turning the boat for Israel he would focus on the US. How about asking every country on this planet to end all trade with the US? How about asking every country on this planet to treat the US as a rogue state, excluding it from the UN and the security council, suspend all diplomatic relations with it, mount a military force to contain it, preach for a revolution inside its border, maybe even prepare for a war against it? But Jeffrey Sachs is not *that* serious about Israel. He has a career to take care of and he likes his job and be listened to. If you want to be a ‘professor’ for a long time you cannot preach anything but ‘peaceful solutions’. You need to stay ‘pure’ with ‘clean hands’. Where does ‘peaceful solutions’ bring us to? Exactly to where we are right now! There is no doubt in my mind that Jeffrey Sachs has a long career ahead of him.
Stop supporting Israel and allow the Palestinians to run Gaza under UN protection.
Time is of the essence, action ‘6’ needs to become action ‘1’.
This could be done with an international naval protection force for the flotilla.
Imagine the potential, any of Greece, Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia could open cooperation on this.
JEFFRY FOR PRESIDENT OF USA!
I can see Sachs as the leader of an effective third party built upon the principles and integrity he has demonstrated during this tragic situation. We need a believable statesman/woman to step forward! Schumer, Hwekep, Cortez and all fellow travelers need not apply! No more surrender!
The only thing that has a chance of stopping the Israeli supremacists, unfortunately, is force and violence. That’s it. It’s only a chance, depending on how heavy the force and violence. All the lawfare, UN resolutions, non-violent protesting, etc. will be pathetically impotent.
And make no mistake, it’s the Israeli supremacists who are primarily in the driver’s seat when it comes to Washington’s Middle East policy. It’s not the Christian Zionists funding the birth-right trips to Israel, it’s not the Christian Zionists organizing land purchases/thefts in the occupied territories, that’s happening in synagogues.
Israel should never be allowed back into the U.N. Those countries who have supported the genocide should be kicked out as well. Move the UN to the global south. There need to be serious consequences for this behavior.
I applaud Jeffrey Sachs, however the scenario he portrays here would likely result in the end of the UN. I would bet quite a sum of money that the US and Israel would indeed disregard an UNGA action. The US/UK/Israel would never allow any military force to enter Gaza. The mad dog USA has shown time and again that they are willing to put the world on the brink of nuclear annihilation. The recent war on Iran, provocations against Russia, Venezuela, China etc. underline this. Some say the likelihood of a nuclear confrontation are even higher than ever before. (The so-called Samson Option of the US and Israel is always in the background)
Thank you, Prof. Sachs, for giving this outline for action. The UN is perhaps the last bulwark against this crime, and it is past time to act decisively. I am ashamed of the actions of my country’s leaders. Too bad we’ll never have another Nuremberg Trials. Justice comes with the end of tolerance for this barbaric behavior. Nothing that any of the Guantanamo prisoners are accused of doing comes remotely close to the actions of U.S. politicians and administrations.
Brilliantly spot on from Prof Sachs. Just ponder for a moment how different the Palestine and Ukraine issues – and every other global issue would be – if Sachs replaced the appalling Trump tomorrow.
Thank you Jeffery. I find statements to the effect that:
“Israel should be/do *fill on the blank* UNTIL Israel satisfys *fill in the blank*”
to be patently absurd. What Israel has done with the full support and protection of the U.S. Government to be totally evil and qualifies as wanton crimes against humanity. Israel cannot be allowed to exist it’s government committed to the Hague and Israeli citizens, whereever they might be found, should be investigated with extreme prejudice. The U.S. may be too big to stop without destroying all of humanity but it now and forever stands as a pariah.
In my opinion it is a lot worse than just “intransigence”, the refusal to compromise or to abandon an extreme position or attitude. Unfortunately, the President Donald Trump Administration, by both its words and actions, has done and is doing irreparable damage to our country by joining with Israel as an equal partner in multiple war crimes against the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
Can we get the majority of Congress to back this proposal? Much depends on our willingness to go into the streets.
Great plan from Jeffery Sachs. However by the time it’s implemented, Israelis’ atrocity treadmill will likely have been fully executed ,leaving few if any Palestinians to rescue.
I wholeheartedly agree and endorse with Professor Sach’s recommendations. This is exactly the way it is. And we must act.
Thank you Jeffery Sachs for clearly stating these practical steps to stop the starvation and killing of the native population of Palestine. The United Nations of our planet (minus the U.S. and Israel) need to pull together to overrule these two rogue nations. Therefore a world boycott should include BOTH of these countries….and all other Zionist entities. While these are tremendous immediate steps in the right direction we should never forget or surrender the goal that the only long term solution to this conflict is a SINGLE STATE where these two cultures can live together with equal rights and respect for each other.
Israel has been an ill judged and catastrophic experiment. It’s time to end it completely, once and for all.
sixth: stop sending money to Israel and stop accepting money from APAC. The Israeli lobby in Washington is very strong and it has influenced our foreign policy for years. We need to break that one up too. Or do we prefer being joined the hip with Israel? That’s another option
I think it is very curious that, of all those people that advocate arming the Ukrainians, none advocate arming the Gazans or the Yemenis.
Excellent point. And very telling.