Jewish and other activists address Gaza blockade

Twelve days ago, Israeli authorities stopped a boat in the Mediterranean Sea carrying a group of international human rights activists who sought to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been suffering under an Israeli blockade for more than six months. The "Spirit of Humanity" ship included activists from eleven countries, including Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire, cofounder of the Peace People movement based in Northern Ireland, and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who was also a 2008 presidential candidate on the Green Party ticket. The 21 activists were held in Israeli prison for a week (during which time Maguire wrote this poem, and poet/author Alice Walker sent this "Evolution" written offering), and finally released a few days ago -- and the supplies did not reach Gaza.

Political, religious, and community leaders across the world condemned Israel for this action, including the Nobel Women's Initiative and also Jewish Voice for Peace, which issued an appeal. Now that the group has been released (as of four days ago), another form of expressing support to Gaza is to join the Taanit Tzedek: A Jewish Fast for Gaza launched by several Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Brian Walt, outgoing executive director of Rabbis for Human Rights of North America (who also wrote about it on his blog).