Local clergy members fast in protest of war in Gaza
Broome County Peace Action and Veterans for Peace organized a protest today outside the MetroCenter office of Congressman Josh Riley to call for an end to the War in Gaza. The activists renewed their accusation that Israel is engaging in genocide in its efforts to root out Hamas terrorists in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks.
Across the country, clergy from various religions are engaging in fasting for a 40 day period lasting through the month of June. Different faith leaders are abstaining from food in various forms as a sign of opposition to the war.
Gary Doupe, a retired Methodist pastor, says he plans to go without eating during daylight hours every Thursday.
'I'm planning to do that through the remainder of June at least. I think I will continue with it until we really see a cessation of hostility in Gaza. The least I can do is refrain from food for a few hours a day,' Doupe said.
Local Catholic, Presbyterian and Congregational clergy members are also participating. Following their rally, the protestors walked to the offices of Riley and US Senator Chuck Schumer in the federal building to deliver letters outlining their opposition to the war.
They say they plan to rally every Thursday midday outside the MetroCenter through the month of June.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT: The EV Revolutionizer
Guthrie Lourdes Health and Fitness turns three with free wellness event
52nd annual Greek Fest kicks off in Vestal
Ribbon cutting held for $15 million project at Good Shepherd Village at Endwell
New York Times agrees to license its material for Amazon's AI
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Qatar PM Traveling to Egypt for New Gaza Talks, Al Jazeera Says
Qatar's Prime Minister is traveling to Egypt to discuss a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Al Jazeera reported, a potential revival of negotiations to help end more than 22 months of war. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani will arrive in Cairo five days after Hamas said a delegation had visited the Egyptian capital to hold talks with the country's officials.
News24
an hour ago
- News24
Israel targets Gaza City ‘until the decisive defeat of Hamas'
Israel plans to focus its campaign on Gaza City. Hamas labelled Israel's campaign a war crime. Gaza City residents will be evacuated ahead of the campaign. The Israeli army's chief of staff said on Sunday the military was pressing ahead with plans for the next phase of its Gaza offensive, with a focus on Gaza City. 'Today we are approving the plan for the next phase of the war,' Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said during a field visit to the Palestinian territory, according to an army statement. 'We will maintain the momentum of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots' while focusing on Gaza City. We will continue to strike until the decisive defeat of Hamas,' he said. The large-scale operation in Gaza, dubbed 'Gideon's Chariots' by the Israeli army, began in mid-May. 'We will continue to strike until the decisive defeat of Hamas, with the hostages always at the forefront of our minds,' Zamir added. In response Hamas said the plans would result in 'a new wave of extermination and mass displacement'. Eyad Baba/AFP The Palestinian militant group also condemned the proposals a 'a major war crime' which it said reflected Israel's 'disregard for international and humanitarian law'. Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out his plan, approved by his security cabinet, for a new phase of operations in Gaza. Israel has said it is preparing to take control of Gaza City and neighbouring refugee camps with the stated aim of defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages kidnapped during the 7 October 2023 attack that sparked the 22-month war. Zamir said Israel's ongoing offensive had 'achieved its objectives', that 'Hamas no longer possesses the same capabilities', and the military had dealt the Palestinian militant group a 'severe blow'. The current campaign is not a pinpoint one; it is just another layer in a long-term and planned strategy. Eyal Zamir On Friday, the army said its troops were conducting a series of operations on the outskirts of Gaza City, where residents have been reporting intense strikes and ground incursions for days. Israel on Saturday said it was preparing 'to move the population from combat zones to the southern Gaza Strip for their protection'. Hamas said Israel's statements on this, including its plans for the installation of tents in southern Gaza, were 'a blatant deception to cover up the imminent massacre and forced displacement'. Israel's army radio reported on Sunday residents would be evacuated before troops encircle the Gaza City and finally seize it, beginning 'in the coming weeks'. Tens of thousands of reservist soldiers would be called up for the mission, the report added.
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
US suspends visitor visas for people from Gaza
The Middle East Donald Trump Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that the State Department suspended visitor visas for people from Gaza because it received 'evidence' that some organizations facilitating the visas to the US 'have strong links to terrorist groups like Hamas,' without providing further details. The State Department announced in a post on X on Saturday that it would halt all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza as it reviews the process that allows them to temporarily enter the US for medical and humanitarian reasons. Rubio told CBS' 'Face the Nation' on Sunday that 'evidence' had been presented to the Trump administration by 'numerous congressional offices' and that the department had received 'outreach from multiple congressional offices asking questions about it.' He did not give details on the evidence or the offices that presented it. Far-right Trump ally Laura Loomer has taken credit for the pause in the visas following her claims that the families arriving from Gaza 'threaten our national security.' Loomer specifically criticized HEAL Palestine, an American nonprofit dedicated to providing critical aid to Palestinian families, including bringing kids suffering from severe injuries, psychological trauma and malnourishment to receive care in the US. The group says it has evacuated 63 injured children and 148 total people. The group, which returns Palestinians back to the Middle East after they are treated in US hospitals, criticized the Trump administration's move to halt visitor visas, saying in a statement on Sunday, 'this is a medical treatment program, not a refugee resettlement program.' As of May, the US has issued almost 4,000 visas to people holding Palestinian Authority passports permitting them to seek medical treatment in America. That number also includes Palestinians living outside of Gaza, such as in the West Bank. Rubio said Sunday that while a 'small number' of visas had been issued to children, 'they come with adults accompanying them, obviously, and we are going to pause this program and reevaluate how those visas are being vetted.' 'We're not going to be in partnership with groups that have links or sympathies towards Hamas,' he continued, without naming any specific groups or providing more information to corroborate the administration's concerns. CNN reached out to the State Department for more information about the evidence cited by Rubio. President Donald Trump acknowledged last month there is 'real starvation' in Gaza, breaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with. 'I see it, and you can't fake that. So, we're going to be even more involved,' Trump told reporters of the humanitarian crisis.
