ISRAEL DISPUTES REPORT
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system said last week that 514,000 people, close to a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza, are experiencing famine, a number it expects to rise to 641,000 by the end of September.
Eden Bar Tal, director general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, wrote to the IPC urging a retraction until the body completes a review.
“The report is deeply flawed, unprofessional, and gravely missing the standards expected from an international body entrusted with such a serious responsibility,” he wrote.
His letter said the IPC had departed from its own standards, alleging data was made up, cherry-picked or ignored. He warned that if a new report was not presented within two weeks, Israel would ask IPC donors to halt funding.
The IPC, which involves UN agencies, aid groups and regional organisations, has previously declared famines in Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.
At the Security Council, acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea questioned the IPC report, saying it “doesn’t pass the test on either credibility or integrity.” She added: “We all recognize that hunger is a real issue in Gaza and that there are significant humanitarian needs which must be met. Addressing those needs is a priority for the United States.”
