Friday Focus: Israel is weaponizing food, and Hamas is weaponizing its own people

July 25, 2025
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Friday Focus: Israel is weaponizing food, and Hamas is weaponizing its own people

Rudyard and Janice open today’s show talking about starvation in Gaza. How do we find ourselves here, and what can be done about it? While it is true that Hamas steals food to sell on the black market to pay its fighters, there is no justification for using food as a weapon. Can Israel recover from this moral stain? And why is Hamas not subject to international pressure to release the hostages that could end this war? Both Rudyard and Janice agree that the time is over for diplomatic solutions. International security forces need to intervene and put an end to this conflict. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to France’s intention to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN in September. This might not be welcome news to the Palestinian Authority and its leader Mahmoud Abbas as it comes with expectations of governance and elections. How does a statement or recognition actually change events on the ground? Is it enough to break through the defensive shield Bibi has built around himself? Ultimately, If this declaration does nothing to change Palestinian leadership or Israel’s control over the West Bank, then it is nothing more than empty rhetoric with no consequence.

Thank you to this week’s Munk Curators and Supporters. Your contribution supports our efforts to bring back civil and substantive dialogue to the public square.

 

Curator:

Joanne K

 

Supporters:

Richard O

Ruth S

Lawrence T

April S

Scott R

Isaac E

Joy B

Stephanie G

Luke H

Dale P

Maria S

Sheri L

Kathleen B

David M

 

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