35 U.S. Rabbis Arrested – Protests in NYC and DC Demand Gaza Food Aid

On Tuesday morning, 27 left-wing rabbis were arrested in Washington, D.C., after staging a peaceful sit-in at the office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota. Their message was direct: increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and end what they called Israel’s blockade of the war-torn enclave.

This protest, organized by the group Jews for Food Aid for People in Gaza, reflects a rising tide of Jewish activism calling attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It also marks a broader shift as more Jewish voices publicly demand action in response to the starvation and suffering of civilians.

Growing Movement

The protest in Washington came just one day after eight rabbis were arrested outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City during a similar demonstration. Both events show the growing involvement of American Jewish leaders in pro-Palestinian activism—especially as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate.

Over the past two months, more than 23,500 American Jews, including more than 750 rabbis and 100 Jewish organizations, have signed a joint statement under the banner of Jews for Food Aid for People in Gaza. Additionally, over 1,000 rabbis globally have signed an open letter urging Israel to stop “using starvation as a weapon of war.” Israel has strongly denied the accusation.

Message and Symbolism

Inside Thune’s office, the rabbis unfurled banners that read, “Rabbis say: Protect Life!” and “Rabbis say: Stop the Blockade.” The protest was timed to align with Tisha B’Av, a solemn day in the Jewish calendar that commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem and is traditionally associated with fasting and mourning.

Two rabbis read verses from the biblical book of Lamentations, translating the line, “Little children beg for bread; none gives them a morsel.” The group then sang Psalm 23 to a melody typically used at Jewish funerals—a poignant symbol of mourning for the lives lost in Gaza.

Capitol Police eventually arrested all 27 rabbis, removing them from the Senate Office Building without reports of violence or disruption.

Diverse Voices

The rabbis involved in Tuesday’s action come from a range of Jewish backgrounds and movements. They include:

• Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, a longtime leader in Jewish social justice.
• Rabbi Abby Stein, the first openly transgender female rabbi from a Hasidic background.
• Rabbi Andrue Kahn, affiliated with the American Council for Judaism.
• Rabbi Amelia Wolf, of the Conservative congregation Etz Hayim in Arlington, Virginia.

Each of these rabbis has been involved in previous pro-ceasefire or humanitarian efforts regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Call for Urgency

“This is about life and death,” said Rabbi Alissa Wise, founding director of Rabbis for Ceasefire, in a statement. “All life is sacred, but Palestinian lives are not treated as such, and that is a blot on our collective humanity.”

The group called for immediate measures: greater access for humanitarian aid into Gaza, a ceasefire to stop the violence, and the return of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.

Continued Action

Monday’s protest in New York was organized by T’ruah and the New York Jewish Agenda. Those rabbis were held for over two hours in jail before being released. One of them, Rabbi Evan Traylor of Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, later shared a message on Instagram reaffirming his commitment to justice for both Palestinians and Israelis.

“I’m okay,” he wrote, “and will continue speaking and working for an end to the starvation of Gaza, the return of the hostages, an end to the war, and true justice and peace for all people in Israel/Palestine.”

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