Report on Advocacy Efforts Concerning the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

A coalition of United States veterans, medical professionals, and political figures convened at the U.S. Capitol to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The demonstration highlighted the direct contravention of several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) resulting from the ongoing conflict and blockade. Advocates called for a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Israel, citing American complicity in actions that undermine global development targets.

Violation of SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Deliberate Starvation as a Weapon of War

The central theme of the protest was the critical food crisis in Gaza, which demonstrators characterized as a deliberate policy of starvation. This represents a severe violation of SDG 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

• Josephine Guilbeau, a 17-year U.S. Army veteran, condemned the use of starvation as a “weapon of war,” questioning the humanity of such tactics.
• Protestors symbolically banged on empty pots to draw attention to the famine, where UN agencies report over 100 deaths from hunger.
• An Israeli government minister, Amichai Eliyahu, was quoted as stating, “there is no nation that feeds its enemies,” which advocates presented as confirmation that the food crisis is an intentional policy, directly opposing the objectives of SDG 2.

Inadequacy of Current Aid Initiatives

The report scrutinizes the effectiveness of the GHF aid initiative, a joint U.S.-Israeli program. While the U.S. State Department promotes the distribution of 90 million meals as a success, critics argue this effort is insufficient and dangerous, failing to meet the targets of SDG 2.

• The aid provided is a fraction of the amount required to feed Gaza’s two million inhabitants.
• Distribution sites, located deep within Israeli-controlled “kill zones,” have been described as “death traps” where hundreds of aid seekers have been killed.
• This approach undermines the goal of ensuring safe and reliable access to nutritious food for all.

Challenges to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Calls for Accountability and an End to Impunity

The advocacy efforts directly address SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, provides access to justice for all, and builds effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. Protestors argued that unconditional U.S. support for Israel undermines these principles.

1. Demand for Policy Change: Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and other speakers called for an end to all U.S. military and diplomatic support that enables the conflict, urging lawmakers to stop “enabling the genocide.”
2. Failure of Institutional Accountability: Stacy Gilbert, a former State Department official who resigned in protest, stated the starvation in Gaza is a “deliberate” Israeli decision, criticizing the U.S. government’s “disastrous policy of unconditional military support.”
3. Discrepancy with Public Will: The protest highlighted a significant gap between staunch congressional support for Israel and growing public discontent, indicating a failure of institutions to be responsive to their constituents as envisioned in SDG 16.

Internal Political and Institutional Dissent

The report notes internal disagreements within the U.S. political establishment regarding aid to Israel. Congresswoman Tlaib criticized the vote of an ally, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, against a measure to halt missile defense aid, arguing that any form of weaponry enables the ongoing violence and undermines efforts toward peace and justice.

Broader Implications for Sustainable Development

Impact on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The crisis has catastrophic consequences for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The protest drew attention to these impacts through visceral means.

• Advocates held photos of famished Palestinian children, illustrating the severe health decline and malnutrition.
• The presence of medical professionals from groups like “Doctors Against Genocide” underscored the collapse of the health system and the direct health consequences of starvation and conflict.
• Dr. Nidal Jboor called on the U.S. administration to “shut down the killing zone” and “flood Gaza with aid” to prevent further loss of life and restore basic health conditions.

Failure of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The U.S.-Israel partnership was presented as a negative example of SDG 17, which calls for effective global partnerships for sustainable development. Critics argue this bilateral relationship actively harms the achievement of other SDGs, particularly peace and zero hunger. In contrast, the protest itself represented a positive partnership of diverse groups—veterans, doctors, activists, and politicians—collaborating to advocate for policies aligned with global humanitarian goals.

Conclusion and Recommendations from Advocacy Groups

The advocates concluded with a firm belief that sustained public pressure could realign U.S. policy with international law and humanitarian principles. Their demands represent a call for the United States to recommit to the core tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Cease all military funding and weapons provisions to Israel to de-escalate the conflict and promote peace (SDG 16).
2. Ensure the safe and massive delivery of humanitarian aid to end the famine and address the health crisis (SDG 2, SDG 3).
3. Align U.S. foreign policy with the will of the American people and international human rights law (SDG 16).
4. Leverage diplomatic partnerships to end the conflict and ethnic cleansing, fostering a sustainable and just peace (SDG 17).

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article’s central theme is the “hunger crisis” and “starvation” in Gaza. It explicitly states, “The advocates banged on empty pots outside the Capitol to draw attention to the starvation in Gaza, where many have not eaten in days and more than 100 have died of hunger due to the Israeli blockade.” This directly connects to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring food security.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article discusses the ongoing war, violence, and lack of justice. It mentions “Israeli atrocities,” accusations of “genocide,” and the “bombardment of Palestinians.” The call to “end unconditional support for Israel” and the discussion of military aid and diplomatic support relate to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and the building of effective, accountable institutions.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The consequences of the conflict and hunger crisis on health are evident. The article mentions that “more than 100 have died of hunger” and shows “photos of famished Palestinian children.” The involvement of “doctors and veterans” and groups like “Doctors Against Genocide” highlights the severe health implications of the crisis, which is a core concern of SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to food

   • By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article directly addresses this target by describing the “Israeli-imposed hunger crisis,” people who “have not eaten in days,” and the “deliberate” decision by Israel to cause starvation. The focus on starving a “baby as a means of war” and “famished Palestinian children” underscores the vulnerability of specific groups.

2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

   • The article is replete with references to violence and death. It mentions “Israeli atrocities,” the “bombardment campaign against Palestinians,” and how “Israeli troops have been opening fire daily at aid seekers, killing hundreds of people.” The rising “death toll” is a central point of concern for the advocates mentioned.

3. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

   • The article specifically highlights the impact on children. Josephine Guilbeau expresses horror at the decision “to starve a baby as a means of war,” and advocates hold “photos of famished Palestinian children.” This points directly to the violence and suffering inflicted upon children in the conflict zone.

4. Target 16.A: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime

   • The article discusses the role of the United States in the conflict, specifically its “unconditional support for Israel” through “military aid, weapons provision and diplomatic support.” The calls from advocates and Congresswoman Tlaib to “stop enabling the genocide” and end funding are a direct appeal to a national institution (the US Congress and Presidency) to change its policies to prevent further violence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 2.1 (Prevalence of undernourishment)

   • The article provides qualitative and quantitative data points that serve as indicators. It mentions a “hunger crisis,” “starvation,” and that “many have not eaten in days.” A specific statistic is given: “more than 100 have died of hunger due to the Israeli blockade.” These are direct measures of severe food insecurity and undernourishment.

2. Indicator for Target 16.1 (Number of conflict-related deaths)

   • The article implies a high number of conflict-related deaths. It refers to the “death toll mount[ing] daily,” “killing hundreds of people” who are seeking aid, and accusations of “genocide.” The UN’s claim that the “Israeli military killed over 1000 seeking Gaza aid since late May” is a specific, measurable indicator of conflict-related deaths of civilians.

3. Indicator for Target 16.2 (Proportion of children suffering from violence)

   • While not providing a specific statistic, the article strongly implies this indicator through powerful descriptions. The mention of a decision “to starve a baby as a means of war” and the use of “photos of famished Palestinian children” by advocates serve as qualitative indicators of the violence and suffering experienced by children.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aljazeera.com