Rabbi Sydney Mintz, of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, said she also worried that while “nothing good” has come from the aftermath of Oct. 7, those who support Israel’s existence are being blamed.
“It’s a very, obviously very challenging time for Palestinian people, for the Jewish people,” said Mintz, “but it’s like this conflation — of kind of holding American Jews responsible for what’s happening in Gaza — it’s come to a head.”
Run for Their Lives, which has no formal political affiliation, has focused solely on advocating for the release of the 58 remaining hostages in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be alive.
In a statement, Run for Their Lives said the group “remains committed to our mission until ALL the HOSTAGES are returned back home,” calling their plight a “humanitarian crisis.”
From San Francisco to Sao Paulo, the group’s weekly demonstrations continue as war in Gaza rages with no end in sight. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported more than 54,000 deaths — mostly women and children — amidst Israel’s siege. The United Nations last week described Gaza as “the hungriest place on Earth,” as Israeli authorities limit relief to a starving Palestinian population.
Rabbi Cat Zavis, of Oakland, condemned the violence in Boulder while also calling for an end to the broader conflict.
“People have been on the streets for over 600 days and nothing’s stopping it,” said Zavis. “People are feeling desperate and enraged … the vast majority are engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience and struggle. Unfortunately, horrifically, unethically, immorally and illegally — wrongly, if you will — some people are starting to respond in violent ways.”
