NEW YORK 

Israel’s actions in Gaza are a textbook example of state terrorism, said Ralph Nader, a famed consumer activist and four-time US presidential candidate, denouncing Israel's attacks on civilians.

Speaking to Anadolu in an interview, Nader discussed Israel's Gaza offensive, charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US support for Tel Aviv’s actions.

Nader emphasized that the events in Gaza began not last Oct. 7 but 70 years ago, when Israel was founded, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

In the current conflict, the number of innocent civilians killed and injured on the Palestinian side is 400 times greater than on the Israeli side, he said – over 36,500 Palestinians killed compared to fewer than 1,500 Israelis, according to widely cited figures, though Nader later said there were many more Palestinian deaths.

"So who’s the terrorist? The Israeli state terror meets every international law definition. Attacking across the board day after day, defenseless citizens, children, infants, babies, mothers, fathers, elderly, the sick, the disabled, it doesn't matter. They're all being attacked,” said Nader.

He criticized Israel for targeting residential buildings, hospitals, schools, universities, refugee camps, and agricultural areas in Gaza.

"They're using starvation as a weapon. The apartments, homes, buildings destroyed, every university in Gaza destroyed, libraries destroyed, this is an across-the-board genocide against the Palestinian people, their culture and their right to live. And the genocidal intent is so clear,” he stated.

Citing statements by Israeli Cabinet ministers calling Palestinians "human animals" and declaring Israel’s intent to cut off their food, water, and electricity, Nader said: "Those are genocidal words that have been turned into military orders to one of the most powerful military forces in the world against an utterly defenseless civilian population."

About the collapse of Israeli border security on Oct. 8, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack killing some 1,200 people, Nader said: "We don't have the full facts. So we're left with speculation."

Some speculate Netanyahu might have had motives to start a war to maintain his position, said Nader, adding: "Like all dictatorial-minded leaders of countries, when they're in deep trouble in terms of corruption and public opinion, that they have to have an external war or an attack to divert attention."

“Without the collapse (of Israeli border security) we wouldn't be having this conversation. There would have been no Israeli genocidal invasion. So it all starts with Netanyahu," he asserted.

‘Biggest factor in the creation of regional empire called Israel is the US’

Nader argued that the US, by supporting Israel, is complicit in aggression under international law.

He accused US President Joe Biden and Congress of violating six federal laws by providing military and financial aid to Israel, a human rights violator. "Congress simply appropriates billions and billions of more dollars for weapons to kill more Palestinians and continue to the war, to save Netanyahu his job."

As long as the US government and Congress side with Israel, Tel Aviv will ignore global public opinion, he said. "They don't care about Asia, South America, Europe, doesn't matter. The US is the major factor in enabling the regional empire called Israel."

Highlighting the dire conditions in Gaza, including the destruction, hunger, and air pollution, Nader said: "More than 200,000 Palestinians have died since October, not 35,000. This (figure) is based on nearly 100,000 bombs and missiles directly targeting civilians, without food, water, medicine, electricity, health services, and the World Health Organization's estimates of casualties since last October."

Nader, well known for advocating consumer rights in the US, ran for president four times. His candidacy in the 2000 US presidential election was criticized for contributing to Republican George W. Bush's victory over Democrat Al Gore, who lost by a narrow margin. Nader got 2.74% of the national vote – not enough to win, but enough to sway an election.

*Writing by Yasin Gungor in Istanbul