Palestine / Israel
Since October 7, 2023 — plus Background

On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, based in Gaza, launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing nearly 1200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 766 civilians and 373 security forces, and taking approximately 240 hostages. In response, Israel declared a state of war and started bombing Gaza in revenge, and soon after initiated a ground assault. As of mid-January 2024, Israel has killed over 25,000 Palestinians in Gaza (not counting thousands buried under the rubble), including over 10,000 children and 7000 women, and damaging 70% of homes in Gaza — creating a humanitarian catastrophe. Healthcare is in a state of collapse, all the universities have been destroyed, there is very little food or clean water, disease is increasing, and the UN is warning of a potential famine.

In response, there is an international worldwide call for an immediate permanent Ceasefire, yet President Biden continues to send financial aid and weapons to the Israeli military, and to support the Israeli government diplomatically — this despite the fact that 66% of Americans support a Ceasefire. Jewish Voice for Peace, If Not Now, and millions of others are calling for an end to US military aid to Israel and an end to the genocide.

Photograph of Penny with outstretched arms facing camera with protestors in background. — Penny leading songs on October 13, 2023, when 700 Jews & allies occupied the Oakland Federal Building for seven hours, calling for an immediate Ceasefire!
472 were arrested – chants included “Let Gaza Live!” and “Never Again for Anyone!”
Action organized by Jewish Voice for Peace & If Not Now.

Photo showing protestors from Jewish Voice for Peace & If Not Now at Oakland Federal Building, 11/13/23 — Protestors from Jewish Voice for Peace & If Not Now at Oakland Federal Building, 11/13/23

Interviews with Penny

The Palestine/Israel Conflict: Processing the Tragedy and Finding Justice, 10/10/23, podcast with host Mitch Jesurich on KPFA’s “Letters & Politics”, 59 min
Jewish Feminists Dov Baum, Penny Rosenwasser, Rae Abileah and Kate Raphale speak out about Gaza, 11/13/23, KPFA Women’s Magazine, Host: Lisa Dettmer, 1 hour
Why Jewish Americans Are Rising Up for Palestine, on Rising Up with Sonali, December 2023, podcast/video, 23 min

Related Articles / Video about Protests — and Penny’s Op Ed

Ceasefire Now! Sit-in at Oakland Federal Building, Nov. 13, 2023
Penny’s Op Ed: A Jewish American Says “Not in My Name!”, 11/30/23, YES! Magazine News/Opinion
Jewish protesters and allies stage sit-in at California federal building demanding Gaza cease-fire, 11/14/23, AP
Chained to White House Fence, Jewish Elders Chant ‘Cease-Fire Not Genocide’ by Jake Johnson, 12/11/23, Common Dreams
Why We, 18 Elder Jewish Women, Chained Ourselves to the White House, Our lifelong feminist commitment to peace and justice compelled us to take bold action for a ceasefire, by The White House 18, Hey Alma
Protestors at California State Capitol Disrupt Assembly Session, CBS News (article and video)
On Instagram: Powerful clips (including of Penny) from Jews and allies of conscience inside the California State Capitol on January 3, 2024. Disrupting the first session of the California State Assembly, the 300 activists called for a Ceasefire, and called on legislators to pressure the Federal Government to Stop Funding Israeli Genocide.

Penny’s Talks

Video: “Not in My Name – Jewish Solidarity with Palestine: An Intersectional Feminist Perspective” — Dr. Penny Rosenwasser, Cal State University/Northridge, 11/9/23, 58 min

Recommended Websites, Organizations, and Media

Activists at California State Capitol when we disrupted the first Assembly session of 2024 to pressure for a Ceasefire: January 3, 2024, Sacramento CA

A Few Recommended Articles

Jewish activist occupying Oakland Federal Building, calling for a Ceasefire, November 13, 2023

Toward a Sober Assessment of Campus Antisemitism, by Ben Lorber, 11/28/23, Jewish Currents
Gaza and the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict, by Matthew Hallinan, 11/25/23, Portside
A paradigm shift in the hundred years’ war on Palestine? by Rashid Khalidi, Mondoweiss, 11/21/23
An Open Letter from Jewish Students, by a collective of anti-occupation Jews, 11/7/23, The Brown Daily Herald
If it’s not helping, then shut the f— up, by Micah Sifry, 11/8/23
Palestine, Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, by Joel Beinin and Lisa Hajjar, Middle East Research & Information Project

Recommended Background Books

White House Secret Service cutting Penny’s chain at White House fence, 12/11/23
The Lemon Tree, by Sandy Tolan
Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer, by Phyllis Bennis
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, by Ilan Pappe
The Hundred Years War on Palestine, by Rashid Khalidi
Voices from a ‘Promised Land’: Palestinian & Israeli Peace Activists Speak Their Hearts, by Penny Rosenwasser
Hope into Practice, Jewish women choosing justice despite our fears, by Penny Rosenwasser

Photo showing six older women chained to White House fence holding large sign "Stop the Genocide - Ceasefire Now" Police starting to cut chains on first woman. — Penny as part of the group of 18 Jewish women elders (aged 61-81) who chained themselves to the White House fence on Dec. 11, 2023, to demand that Biden call for a Ceasefire! They were arrested, received citations and were released.The action included reading the names of hundreds of Palestinian elders, aged 60 – 90+, who have been killed in Gaza by Israel; after each name was read, everyone prayed “May their memory be a blessing.”