Palestine / Israel
Since October 7, 2023
Plus Background

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.

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. Israel also implemented a policy of intentional starvation as a tool of war; 70% of deaths have been women and children, including over 20,000 children, and over 80% of homes were damaged or destroyed.

As of April 2026, Israel has now killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians in Gaza — including over 700 killed since Israel’s so-called “ceasefire,” many of them children. Meanwhile, all Israeli hostages have been freed or returned to Israel, and some Palestinian prisoners were freed as well. But the killing by the IDF continues, healthcare is in a state of collapse, all the universities have been destroyed, there is very little food or clean water, and disease is increasing.

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

In response, there is an international worldwide call for an immediate permanent Ceasefire, yet President Trump continues to send financial aid and weapons to the Israeli military, and to support the Israeli government diplomatically — this despite the fact that the majority of Americans support a Ceasefire and support an arms embargo to Israel. 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.

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

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

Penny’s Talks

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

Recommended Background Books

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.”