| Hello,
It is not the sort of company Israel should be keeping. Previously the IPC—a global body set up in 2004 to identify famines—had only spotted them in Somalia, South Sudan (twice) and Sudan. Hunger exists elsewhere, of course, but the worst food deprivation evidently occurs these days only when the conduct of war is especially brutal. The IPC said on August 22nd that famine is under way in Gaza. Israel’s denials look hollow.
We have written of how the presence of famine in Gaza shows the failure of Israel’s strategy. Israel’s attempt (with American help) to bypass the UN and distribute food itself has created conditions for violence. It is also failing in a basic way: the hungry in Gaza are unfed. In late July Donald Trump spoke of “real starvation” in the strip. Following the IPC confirmation, we have set out how this happened, in charts and maps.
Binyamin Netanyahu may see a tactical military advantage in squeezing the space available to Palestinians inside Gaza, forcing people to congregate in desolate, crowded and ill-equipped areas in the south of the strip. Some in his government seem to favour using food as a weapon of war. But the long-run cost to Israel’s reputation will be high. Polling data show a surge in negative attitudes towards Israel globally, even before famine arrived. Countries that were once stalwart supporters—such as Germany—are distancing themselves. Crucially, public opinion in America is also turning negative. I can only imagine that process continuing. It may mark a generational change in attitudes towards Israel.
Elsewhere, we have published articles concerning the challenges that Britain’s new spy chief, Blaise Metreweli, faces when she takes on the job this autumn. We argue that human espionage has never been harder, costlier–or more important.
For lighter fare, I’d recommend our latest Well Informed column, published every weekend, which sets out evidence for the health benefits of saunas. My favourite visual story of the week, meanwhile, is from our business pages. It considers the hot new trend in China for facekinis. The pictures are worth at least a thousand words. I dare to predict that this trend won’t spread to Europe or America.
Many thanks for your emails on last week’s summit between Mr Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and assorted European leaders. The question that drew the greatest interest (and some scorn) concerned Mr Zelensky’s suit. Janet Woollacott spoke for many when she said “Zelensky should wear what the hell he wants” to the White House. But, as Raili Taylor rightly points out, the Ukrainian had to “remember that he used to be an actor and dig deep into the complex role he needs to perform”. In short, he needed to “cajole, flatter” and keep Mr Trump onside. I agree, and think Mr Zelensky did so successfully. Finally, I thank Suresh Nair , who corrected my comment that the only other male visitor to the Oval Office who failed to wear a suit was Elon Musk. As Suresh rightly observes, Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, didn’t wear a Western suit during his visit in March. “Perhaps that’s why that relationship, too, has turned rocky.”
On that note, I’d like to suggest a change of topic. Is America losing India? Decades of ever-stronger ties have, in the past few months, started to weaken. India, piqued by tariffs and Mr Trump’s cosying up to Pakistan, is turning afresh towards Russia, and even China. Is India turning away from America? And, if so, does that matter? I’d welcome your views. Write to me at economisttoday@economist.com. |
