The ‘Review of Famine Reports’ and Gaza— the UKLFI are at it Again

E. Mark Windle 31 March 2025.

In the recent Review of Famine Reports, the UK Lawyers for Israel organisation (UKLFI) lodged their complaint regarding use of the Integrated Phase Classification categorisation of the risk and existence of famine in Gaza.

Their allegations have included the use of inaccurate statistics, misinterpretation of raw data and poor data processing to arrive at a ‘risk of famine’ designation. The finger was also pointed at high level United Nations representatives for amplifying famine narratives.

Most discussions of Gazan welfare are riddled with never-ending claims and counterclaims over events and statistics. Representatives of FEWS NET and the UN have their weaknesses, and mixed messages over whether or not Gaza has or had ‘official famine status’ is one of them. It would be foolish to pretend otherwise.

But equally, the UKLFI agenda is clear. Challenge anything that could possibly discredit Israel, and hunt entities that promote Gazan rights.

The fact that the organisation has a poor ratio of success when it comes to their complaints being upheld — usually against charities or other causes that support Gazan humanitarian aid — says a lot.

I read that one particular backfire ended up with a defamation case and the order of a public apology. Even more poignant / ironic, when you consider the domestic backdrop: the pro-Israel stance of the UK government and its complicity in the mass slaughter of Gazan civilians. As an aside, that is ably demonstrated by its record of arms supply to Israel and phrasing of public statements regarding the hostilities which are at best weakly diplomatic and typically one-sided in tone.

At the time of posting, it seems we’ve still to hear a response to the UKLFI report or a challenge to the validity of their claims. But while this particular beef with FEWS NET and the UN plays out, over 50,000 people in Gaza are dead. Also, consider a recent prediction by medical professions in The Lancet was that even if the conflict stopped immediately, the long term consequences of malnutrition, infection and injury could quadruple the final death toll. UKLFI will no doubt argue those statistics too. But there’s a elephant in the room.

(For a detailed exploration of how the IPC food scales work, read my article A Question of Famine? IPC Food Security Scales and the Gaza Debate here ).