Today marks day five without food for Delaware State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and four other state representatives — all of whom are Democrats — who launched a hunger strike earlier this week alongside activist groups and Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon to push President Joe Biden to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
But for millions of people trapped in Gaza, 55 days have passed without reliable access to food, shelter, water, electricity or medical care. The Israeli military’s counteroffensive in the region has created a growing humanitarian crisis, displacing 1.7 million Palestinians according to the UN and killing an estimated 13,000 according to Gaza’s health ministry.
“A permanent ceasefire and the beginning of diplomatic peace talks is the only path forward for peace and stability,” Wilson-Anton said. “A temporary ceasefire does nothing to prevent further loss of life.”
She said the strike is heavily influenced by the resistance of Palestinian detainees, who’ve used hunger strikes to draw attention to unjust conditions in Israeli prisons.
The strike coincides with a four-day humanitarian pause in Gaza that took effect Friday and was extended to a total of seven days. The pause halted bombing in Gaza long enough to allow some aid into the region and the safe release of 240 jailed Palestinian women and minors and 81 Israeli hostages, but demonstrators at the White House want Biden to push beyond the temporary measure. Wilson-Anton said it’s an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate the “moral leadership” he promised when vying for the presidency.
As officials negotiate prolonging the pause, the group of demonstrators outside the White House has grown in numbers, up to 75 people, she said, with hundreds expected to show Friday.
Michigan State Rep. Abraham Aiyash is the latest legislative leader to join the front lines. On Wednesday, Aiyash announced his plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to stand with other elected officials…
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