SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Jewish Voice for Peace organized a gathering to bring awareness to the violence happening in Gaza. Members of the organizations announced that they will be joining the national Jewish Fast for Gaza which occurs every month on the third Wednesday.
A national movement started by two rabbis, Brant Rosen and Brian Walt called Jewish Fast for Gaza to draw attention to the conflict in Gaza. The campaign came together with 13 groups of rabbis who agreed fasting is held in a time of crisis and Gaza is in crisis.
Two Organizers for the Syracuse division of JVP, Andy Mager, and Mara Sanpo-Shevin, decided to localize this event and call on Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) to stand with Gaza and stop funding military weapons to Israel.
“As Jews, we feel particularly that it is an important voice that is necessary because traditionally Jews are read as only supporting the actions of Israel” said Shevin. “We think there’s a need of justice that goes beyond just taking one particular job.”
The three demands JVP members are fasting for are listed on their Facebook page as:
- To call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade of Gaza.
- To call on the U.S. government to cease all military aid to Israel until it complies with basic standards of human rights and international law.
- To call on Israel to negotiate a just peace that guarantees equality, justice, and freedom for all who love between the river and the sea.
“It is a way to share a little bit of that pain, as I feel some hunger pains today, I know that I could eat if I really needed to and there is a short time duration to my fast whereas many people in Gaza…don’t have enough food,” said Mager. “So fasting is not a choice for them and that there is a short time duration to my fast.”
Not everyone is required to fast for the protest, but organizers feel that this is the only way to show solidarity in a crisis.
“It did show me the power of it. I was really glad to hear that fasting was going to be a part of this because it is a strong statement,” said Nicholas Hinkelman, a protestor.
Earlier this morning, it was reported by CNN that more airstrikes have hit Gaza after incendiary balloons were seen on the border. Many people at the demonstration urged people to learn about the infamous feud history of Gaza and Israel before the May 2021 conflict.
“Every time something erupts it’s because of the fundamental situation of the occupation is untenable, so we have moments in which kind of nothing major happens but of course lots of indignities, discrimination, and oppression is happening… so until we actually address the conditions of injustice this is going to be a repeated cycle,” said Shevin.
Demonstrators will fast every third Wednesday of every month demonstrators will fast from sunrise to sundown. The organizers of JVP said for protestors who would like to demonstrate their disapproval for the conflict in Israel but cannot fast are encouraged to donate or speak to their congressman.
