Twenty-three leading U.S. and European economists, many of them Jewish and including 10 Nobel laureates, have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to “immediately halt policies exacerbating widespread hunger in Gaza.”
Unlike similar appeals from intellectuals that appear frequently, the economists’ letter does not accuse Israel of deliberately starving the population or committing genocide. It emphasizes that Hamas bears primary responsibility for the humanitarian situation.
However, the economists stress that “Hamas’ crimes do not absolve Israel, which supervises and controls aid, of responsibility for the developing conditions in Gaza. While Israel has allowed increased aid since July 26, the quantities remain insufficient.”
The economists, many of whom support Israel and maintain professional ties with Israeli colleagues, warned of the economic consequences if current policies continue. “Given accumulating evidence of mass hunger and human rights violations,” they wrote, “European governments could impose targeted sanctions that would severely harm science, trade, and employment. Credit rating agencies could downgrade Israel’s rating, precisely at a time when the country faces heavy reconstruction and security costs.”
They also expressed concern over a potential mass exodus of scientists and tech experts, “which could deprive Israel of its growth engine.”
The letter concludes with four specific demands for Netanyahu: to restore full food and medicine supplies to Gaza; publicly reject plans to establish a “humanitarian city” for Gaza residents; reaffirm Israel’s commitment to human rights and international law; and act earnestly to achieve a ceasefire, improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation, secure the return of hostages, and end hostilities.
Signatories include leading economists such as Daron Acemoglu of MIT (2024 Nobel laureate), Esther Duflo of MIT (2019 Nobel laureate), Claudia Goldin of Harvard (2023 Nobel laureate), and Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University (2001 Nobel laureate).