{"id":298135,"date":"2025-07-14T12:01:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T11:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=298135"},"modified":"2025-07-14T08:55:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T07:55:53","slug":"veterans-allies-fast-for-gaza-40-days-of-solidarity-and-compassion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2025\/07\/veterans-allies-fast-for-gaza-40-days-of-solidarity-and-compassion\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterans & Allies Fast for Gaza: 40 Days of Solidarity and Compassion"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Press Conference and Die-In for end of Veterans and Allies Fast for Gaza
(Image by Ellen Davidson)<\/p><\/div>\n

Whenever you get to thinking that people lack compassion and generally can\u2019t be trusted with the planet, I recommend you read this article.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

7 Jul 2025\u00a0<\/em>–\u00a0On 22 May 2025, several members of Veterans For Peace, along with some allies, kicked off the 40-day, 250-calorie\/day \u201cVeterans & Allies Fast for Gaza.\u201d<\/a> At the core were a handful of VFP members who travelled to New York to hold a witness in front of the U.S. Mission to the UN, across the street from UN headquarters.\u00a0 Hundreds of people began signing up to participate around the country, and as it turns out, also in Italy, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.\u00a0 We\u2019re also finding out there are many more participants, likely double the 800 people registered, who have joined the fast. People were encouraged to participate for any length of time, doing the type of fast they chose.<\/p>\n

Only a week into the effort, I emailed those registered to thank them, ask where they were from and what kind of fast they were doing since we neglected to put those questions on the sign-up form.<\/p>\n

Repliers wrote briefly about their motivation and the communities formed around the fast. People discovered it was a way to lessen the pain, anger and frustration they felt from the live-streamed genocide in Gaza, while enjoying the blessings found in Dr. King\u2019s \u201cBeloved Community.\u201d<\/p>\n

No more introduction is needed.\u00a0 Here are excerpts from the responses.<\/p>\n

____<\/p>\n

Don, from St. Louis:<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a 66yo Navy vet with spec dietary requirements. So instead of fasting food, I am fasting all rx and otc pain relievers for 40 days. I started at the beginning.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Tony, from Utah:<\/p>\n

I am 84 years old. I started the fast on May 22 and plan to fast for 40 days. I will take Fathers\u2019 Day off, so I will go one day longer.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Mike, from Cincinnati:<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for inviting us to the fast. It is very meaningful to us.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m doing the full 40 days and fasting all day with only water and coffee, eating one meal at night.<\/p>\n

Yesterday we had friends over for a Buddhist meditation, reflecting on Gaza, the fast and how it is connecting us to you all in NYC and all of the other fasting participants and how much it is bringing awareness to the terrible plight of the citizens of Gaza and Palestine. We reflected on how we are connected together not just by communication but physically in our lives.<\/p>\n

I am going on a 6 day Buddhist retreat and am dedicating all the Merits from that to support you all and bring about our demands for this fast.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Maggie, from Belfast<\/p>\n

I am in Belfast, Northern Ireland & I am fasting with you, along with some other folks from my church.<\/p>\n

My pattern is every other day, and on fasting days I cut down significantly on my normal meals. Mainly veg\/ fruit\/ yoghurt. Still I am so aware I am so fortunate to have those things and always know where my next good meal is coming from.<\/p>\n

God bless you all richly. The news coming from Gaza & the West Bank is unendingly tragic, but we pray on, & fast so we can understand a little of what our brothers and sisters in Palestine are experiencing.<\/p>\n

With love and every good blessing to you<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Leah, from Cambridge MA<\/p>\n

I\u2019m doing the whole 40 days. I\u2019ve opted for a timed fast, like Ramadan,\u00a0fasting all day with one meal at night. And I\u2019ve reached out to friends to try to create a chain. So far, three friends\u00a0have each signed up for a few days, and on those days they fast in my place.<\/p>\n

Thanks for everything.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joyce, from Akron<\/p>\n

3 of us are doing 40 40-day fast. I am doing 250 for the first 14 days and 600 calories for remainder of time because I lost 20 lbs in the first 2 weeks and am 78 years old<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Col. Ann Wright<\/p>\n

Beautiful comments for the noble FAST for Gaza!\u00a0 Everyone in the Gaza Flotilla family, which includes most of you, thank you so very much\u2026.as of course, to the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank!!!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Trish, from Maine<\/p>\n

I hope this letter finds you and all the other fasters there healthy, strong, and determined!<\/p>\n

My name is Patricia Corkins and I am a retired Army 1SG. I have a small farm here in Maine and spend much of my free time making banners and signs for MVPR (Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights) and attending protests.<\/p>\n

I am doing the 250-calorie fast, eating a single meal after sundown. It is Day 16 and I have lost 13lb, 8% of my body weight. My daughter works full time and is doing a 750-calorie fast, also Ramadan style. We both plan to continue until Day 40 if possible.<\/p>\n

The rest of our crew are doing all of the various fasts. Little groups have formed to cover the days according to what each person can do. As a coalition, we plan to run, walk or crawl to the end and then begin the next stage, whatever that might be.<\/p>\n

We have a chat set up for daily check-ins, recipe exchange, health tips,\u00a0 and announcements of anything going on to lift this action. We make contact with the local media and have had multiple interviews regarding our commitment.<\/p>\n

We have held stand-outs, silent matches, a die-in (20 of us got arrested at that one and we got a lot of local coverage!) and, of course, we have spread the word to family, friends, and personal social media. We have a rally and march on 8 June in Bangor for \u2018Let Gaza Live\u2019 with speakers including an elected official and at least 2 fasters.<\/p>\n

I am honored to be standing with you and with Gaza! Free Palestine!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Mary Grace<\/p>\n

I share your vision of a world beyond war, where fear, ego and power of money do not determine our lives, Did not decimate Hope for those living on the peripheries of Uncaring societies.<\/p>\n

I had about 170 cal this morning but will likely break my fast today, as I retreat with people with disabilities today\u2026 I know myself well enough to know my own foibles and limitations.<\/p>\n

Tonight I\u2019ll begin again.<\/p>\n

Mercy.<\/p>\n

Step-by-step.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Charlie from ??<\/p>\n

After reading your article, I would like to add another voice in support of the fast \u2013 here committed to a 40-day \u201cCatholic\u201d fast, I.e., one full meal a day plus two other meatless meals, together not equalling a full meal.\u00a0 This 84 yo old stomach doesn\u2019t support skipping a meal.\u00a0 Your article is leading me to rethink my hesitancy to spread the word about it.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Janette from Germany<\/p>\n

I am writing from\u00a0Germany, where I do the fasting since the beginning.
\nFrom tomorrow on, I will switch every day with a friend, she is the only
\none who wants to join. But I also wrote an article for Swiss
\nanthroposophical magazine, which will be published this week. It tells
\nabout the campaign and why I joined.
\nThanks for organizing the fast!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Mother Debbi, Indiana<\/p>\n

Thank you everyone.<\/p>\n

In His love and mine,<\/p>\n

Mother Debbi<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering.\u201d (Hebrews 13:3)<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joshua, Edmonton, Alberta<\/p>\n

Sending you good wishes and strength for the remaining days of the fast. We are a small cluster of 16 doing the fast in\u00a0amiskwaciw\u00e2skahikan\u00a0(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).<\/p>\n

Is there any opportunity during this fast for different people in different places to connect with each other and find out how we can amplify each other\u2019s\u00a0efforts on our socials or in other ways? I would be happy to set up a Zoom video call if people want to meet that way, or maybe there\u2019s another idea. Even if it\u2019s just a one-time conversation there\u2019s so much I get from learning how other people are doing things, and what kinds of creative actions people are taking.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gemma from Illinois<\/p>\n

Thank you! I am fasting from food from 10am \u2013 4pm each day since I joined.\u00a0I am a member of Rev Dr Beth Johnson\u2019s congregation.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Bikshan Cheng, Hong Kong<\/p>\n

Thank you for your information and your effort to host such a great event! I am fasting from\u00a0Hong Kong\u00a0since there is no such sympathy over the Gaza genocide in my locals. I gathered a small group of another 3 trying out a chain fast for 40 days as well. Attached a picture of us having our first day fast, me, on the far left. In case we were too hungry, we were allowed to drink some juice. In the picture, we were holding two booklets just brought from a tiny exhibition featuring Palestinian posters documenting the year-long injustice and atrocities. The poster exhibition was banned in a\u00a0Hong Kong\u00a0book fair last year. However, this year, the\u00a0project manager tried a private gallery to launch it. \u201cVisit Palestine\u201d Poster Exhibition, which was initiated by several Japanese poster collectors, went on its roadshow in Japan.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to you and your teams. May God bless you<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Rula from ???<\/p>\n

Your efforts\u00a0are commendable we so much appreciate this initiative to have solidarity with those starving. It makes me so angry to see rich Arab countries feasting in the name of Adha celebration, disregarding their brothers and sisters in Gaza. What is going on is unbelievable, it gives me hope to see what people like you are trying. I started fasting when i saw your announcement\u00a0last week, I am hoping to accomplish 38 days where I am eating 500-600 calories a day split between two small meals, with intermittent fasting (nothing between 6pm and noon next day). Wish i could do more but work load and home responsibilities remind me to take care of my needs in reasonable manner.<\/p>\n

All the best<\/p>\n

Rula (Lebanese-American pediatrician)<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Duane from Harmony, MN<\/p>\n

Fasting with Chapters 27(MNPLS\/St.Paul) & Redwing, MN. I\u2019ve been fasting the whole time<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Steve from Bend OR<\/p>\n

Hats off to you and your fellow demonstrators for this bold and visible move. A true act of humanitarianism, not that I would expect anything less.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve donated to a number different humanitarian relief efforts (not the disastrous U.S.\/Israeli effort) and started a 30+\/- fast today. Mine is rather wimpy (eliminating a meal a day) compared to you guys, but trying to do my bit.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Nasreen, S. Africa<\/p>\n

I\u2019m Nasreen from South Africa and I started the fast before I even registered\u2026 but have not kept count\u2026 I will be continuing until aid is let into Gaza\u2026
\nI\u2019m doing the Ramadan fast sunrise to sunset.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ari, from Corvallis OR<\/p>\n

I was in AFJROTC in high school in the 1980s. Now I\u2019m a clinical social worker, mental health therapist, and Jewish \/ interdenominational parachaplain.<\/p>\n

My husband, Dr. Richard Campbell, PhD., is an Army veteran (1955 \u2013 1963) whose grandparents and cousins were burned alive for being Jewish in January of 1942.<\/p>\n

He is 93-yo now and not fasting, yet very supportive of me doing so. I am on day eight, and in for the long haul. I have a friend willing to be next in the chain should I not be able to continue.<\/p>\n

Given that my own Israeli relatives were nearly killed on Oct. 7 AND that I have been providing around-the-clock mental health and emotional support since Sept. to 29-yo Gazan ER physician, Dr. Ali Tahrawi, I feel it critical to support your efforts toward a ceasefire and arms embargo of Israel. I want Palestinians to thrive in safety, and the release of both Israeli and Palestinian captives\/detainees.<\/p>\n

Thank you for this opportunity to join forces with you.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Additional heartfelt, eloquent words came from two people who wrote longer responses.<\/p>\n

The first was from Kathy Kelly, a veteran of many such fasts for peace, who agreed to make her 94-pound frame go through one more.<\/p>\n

When the Fast for Gaza began, we had just learned that an Israeli airstrike, using weapons\u00a0almost certainly\u00a0provided by the U.S., had killed all but one of Dr. Ala al-Najjar\u2019s nine children, and gravely injured her spouse, Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar.\u00a0 Two weeks later, he died.<\/p>\n

Instead of stopping Israel\u2019s genocide, major governments partnered with Israel. Day after day, the carnage continues. The fast has helped us insist that peace and justice is possible;\u00a0it starts with trying to protect the lives of innocent people while refusing, utterly refusing, to condone child sacrifice.<\/p>\n

Another was from Leah Hager Cohen, who heard of the fast the day before it began and joined it. In a beautiful essay, \u201cThe Moral Imperative To Show Up Anyway,\u201d she described how Simone Weil died in 1943 at 34 years of age.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe died in a sanitarium near London after months of refusing to consume more calories a day than the rations allowed her comrades in occupied Europe.<\/p>\n

For Weil, these actions seem to have been less about their utility than about a profound, spiritual call to pay attention. \u201cAttention,\u201d she famously wrote, \u201ctaken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer. It presupposes faith and love.\u201d<\/p>\n

I am as moved by the stubborn fervor of her need to act as I am unsettled by the extremity of her actions. And I continue to puzzle over the questions raised by her life and death, among them: What good is self-deprivation?<\/p>\n

I do know that numbness, whether caused by\u00a0compassion fatigue<\/a>\u00a0or a sense that our efforts are futile, is of no use to anyone. As new horrors dominate the headlines and competing tragedies mount, we must guard against the danger of becoming numb. One effect of fasting is that it keeps me constantly somatically uncomfortable. Although my hunger pangs are paltry beside the agony of those enduring forced starvation, they function as a quickening agent, a pricker keeping me awake. They are an antidote to numbness. An invitation to be creative, to lift up my head, to look to what others are doing.<\/p>\n

For most of us, most of the time, it is a bitter fact that in the face of great suffering there is little we can do. When that suffering is human-wrought and inflicted by the mighty, how can those of us who do not individually wield much power respond?<\/p>\n

We can join together, to march and donate and boycott and sing and write letters and give testimony and carry signs and hold hands and pitch tents and fill the public square \u2014 city halls, train stations, lunch counters, plazas, parks, intersections, bridges \u2014 with our bodies. For most of us, in the end, our bodies \u2014 our brains and our hearts, yes, but also the poor, rude matter of our sinew and blood and bones \u2014 are what we have to offer. It\u2019s the one thing we all possess, the one thing we can all choose to put on the line to try to heal what\u2019s broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 40-day Veterans & Allies Fast for Gaza ended with a bang on June 30 in New York. Activists in D.C. and elsewhere also held significant actions.\u00a0 You can see the videos and photos here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Those of us who participated in the fast felt connected to a rare, compassionate and sometimes euphoric community of good souls who cared deeply and were richly rewarded.\u00a0 The suffering persists and so will we!<\/p>\n

______________________________________________<\/p>\n

Mike Ferner was one of the organizers of the <\/em>Veterans & Allies Fast for Gaza and a long time member of <\/em>Veterans For Peace. He fasted with the VFP contingent at the U.N. but only for 21 days before being admitted to the Manhattan V.A. hospital to correct a dangerous electrolyte imbalance due to underlying health conditions. mike@veteransforpeace.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

7 Jul 2025\u00a0–\u00a0Whenever you get to thinking that people lack compassion and generally can\u2019t be trusted with the planet, I recommend you read this article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":298136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[3518,87,865,427,517,1416],"class_list":["post-298135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activism","tag-fast-for-gaza","tag-gaza","tag-genocide","tag-palestine","tag-solidarity","tag-veterans-for-peace"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=298135"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":298137,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298135\/revisions\/298137"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/298136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=298135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=298135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=298135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}