Israel is using food—and famine—as a weapon of war. This is a moral moment. We must not look away.
| LAURIE WOODWARD GARCIA AND PEOPLE POWER UNITED JUN 6, 2025 |
Yesterday, I spoke to you with clarity, compassion, and a call to action about the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza — where millions face starvation. I had planned to write today about the upcoming Senate budget fight, but I cannot stay silent after what happened at the United Nations yesterday evening after my post came out.
I am outraged. I am devastated. And I am ashamed.
While children in Gaza are grinding animal feed into flour ¹, while families are drinking from sewage-contaminated water just to survive, the United States — under the disgraceful influence of 34-time convicted felon, President Trump, who is pretending to lead — voted against a ceasefire. The United States was the only Security Council member to block a ceasefire. Not China, Not Russia. Only the United States. ²
Let that sink in.
The world stood together and said: Enough. Enough killing. Enough starvation. Enough war crimes. The international community demanded an end to the violence, the unconditional release of hostages, and full, unimpeded humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
But the United States blocked it.
“The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded, or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,” — U.N. Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher ³
“This resolution reflects a global consensus: The war in Gaza must stop, hostages must be released, and civilians must not be starved” — Joint statement from 10 nonpermanent Security Council members ⁴
Yet, instead of stepping up, the U.S. chose to step back. Instead of standing for human rights, we stood in the way of justice. And for what? Political convenience? Cowardice? Complicity?
Let’s be clear about what’s happening:
This is a man-made famine.
Funded by our U.S. tax dollars.
The active support and silence of our government are enabling it.
Israel is using starvation, siege, and mass murder as weapons of war — and we the United States are enabling it.
There is no policy rationale, no strategic justification for cutting off food, fuel, and medicine from 2.3 million people. ⁵ None.
More than 58,000 Palestinians have already been killed. ⁶ And now famine is being used to finish what airstrikes and bombs started. This is not about security — it’s about collective punishment. It’s about dehumanization on a massive scale.
And what did the United States just do?
❌ Voted against an immediate and unconditional ceasefire
❌ Voted against restoring desperately needed humanitarian aid
❌ Voted against saving lives
This is a stain on our country.
We cannot claim to be defenders of human rights while bankrolling the slow destruction of a trapped, starving civilian population.
But there is a spark of hope.
This week, the Block the Bombs Act was introduced — a critical step toward halting the flow of offensive weapons to Israel and demanding real accountability for the use of American arms.
Raise your voice.
Demand humanity.
The world is watching. History is watching.
Let’s make sure we’re remembered for the side we chose — not the silence we kept.
