On May 22, veterans and their allies launched a 40-day Fast for Gaza with two core demands: provide humanitarian supplies to Palestinians and stop sending weapons to the illegal state of Israel. A core group of fasters is holding a daily vigil in front of the US mission to the United Nations in New York City. They are joined by more than 400 solidarity fasters. Clearing the FOG speaks with two of the fasters and organizers, Kathy Kelly, board president of World Beyond War, and Mike Ferner, former national director of Veterans for Peace, about the fast, their experiences with supporting those who are targeted by wars, and the importance of continuing to oppose the genocide of Palestinians. They encourage people to join the fast however they are able. Get more information and sign up at FOSNA.org/2025gazafast.
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Kathy Kelly is the board president of World BEYOND War. From 2022 to 2024 she co-coordinated the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, she has co-coordinated an international network to assist young Afghans forced to flee their country. She made over two dozen trips to Afghanistan from 2010 – 2019, living with young Afghan Peace Volunteers in a working-class neighborhood in Kabul.
With Voices in the Wilderness companions, from 1996 – 2003, she traveled twenty-seven times to Iraq, defying the economic sanctions and remaining in Iraq throughout the Shock and Awe bombing and the initial weeks of the invasion. She joined subsequent delegations to the West Bank’s Jenin Camp in 2002 during and after Israeli attacks, to Lebanon during the 2006 summer war between Israel and Hezbollah and to Gaza, in 2009, during Operation Cast Lead and following the 2013 Operation Pillar of Defense.
Kathy has been an educator for most of her life, but she believes children of war and those who are victims of violence have been her most important teachers.
Mike Ferner is a member of Veterans for Peace and their former national director. He is a Vietnam-era veteran.