Ireland’s ex-president expresses shock over humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Mohan Sinha
14 Aug 2025, 17:48 GMT+10

Former president Mary Robinson has voiced “shock and outrage” over what she described as mass starvation in Gaza
She made the remarks in a joint statement with former New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark, after the two visited the Rafah Crossing as part of The Elders group’s mission
A photograph from the visit shows Mary Robinson and Helen Clark standing alongside an Egyptian Red Crescent official at the Rafah border crossing, speaking to a truck driver whose aid shipment had been rejected by Israeli authorities

DUBLIN, Ireland: Former president Mary Robinson has voiced "shock and outrage" over what she described as mass starvation in Gaza.

She made the remarks in a joint statement with former New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark, after the two visited the Rafah Crossing as part of The Elders group's mission. The pair said they had seen evidence that food and medical aid were being deliberately blocked from entering Gaza by Israel, and for the first time referred to the situation as an "unfolding genocide."

A photograph from the visit shows Mary Robinson and Helen Clark standing alongside an Egyptian Red Crescent official at the Rafah border crossing, speaking to a truck driver whose aid shipment had been rejected by Israeli authorities.

"Governments that are not using all the tools at their disposal to halt the unfolding genocide in Gaza are increasingly complicit," Robinson said.

The former UN human rights commissioner stressed that political leaders not only have the power but also the legal obligation to take measures that would exert pressure on the Israeli government. "This is all the more urgent in light of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Gaza City takeover plan," she added.

Robinson called on U.S. President Donald Trump to use his "leverage to compel a change of course."

Her comments came as Ireland's Tánaiste joined the U.K., Australia, and other European nations in urging Israel to permit unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, describing the suffering there as "unimaginable."

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of 24 countries warned that famine was "unfolding before our eyes."