(JTA) — Israeli police apprehended Ayelet Waldman, an Israeli-born Jewish American author, during her participation in a mission to provide aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Waldman was taken into custody along with six others, including five Americans, at a demonstration organized by Rabbis for Human Rights. While two were released before Shabbat, Waldman remained detained in Ashkelon, near the Gaza border.
Her husband, the renowned novelist Michael Chabon, expressed concern for her well-being on Instagram. He highlighted her involvement in a group of American rabbis advocating for a ceasefire and delivering aid to Gaza. Chabon emphasized the values of justice, compassion, and peace inherent in Judaism.
In a video shared by Chabon, Waldman is seen carrying a bag of rice towards Erez Crossing, encountering resistance from a police officer.
Among the other Americans arrested were Rabbi Alissa Wise, Rabbi Alana Alpert, Ilana Sumka, and Kobi Snitz. Rabbis for Human Rights reached out to the U.S. embassy regarding the arrests.
The protest was not aimed at delivering aid but rather at raising awareness about the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. This action coincided with Passover, a holiday symbolizing liberation and the connection between food and freedom.
Waldman and Chabon have collaborated on various literary projects and have been vocal advocates for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation and critics of Israeli policies.
Waldman is known for her novel “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” and her Mommy-Track mystery series. She and Chabon are currently working on a television series adaptation of his book “The Yiddish Policeman’s Union.”
The couple’s activism extends to supporting peaceful solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and participating in demonstrations against Israeli actions.