Berkeley author Ayelet Waldman arrested, later released, in Israel: video
Israeli-American novelist Ayelet Waldman (R) and her spouse American novelist Michael Chabon pose for a picture in Jerusalem on June 18, 2017. (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)
SEDEROT, Israel - Ayelet Waldman, a well-known Berkeley author, was arrested by Israeli police at the Erez Crossing — the border between Israel and Gaza — while protesting the war with a group of American rabbis during Passover.
Waldman’s husband, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Michael Chabon, wrote Friday on Instagram that his wife is in custody and has legal representation, but he hadn't been able to speak with her yet. Later in the day, he wrote that she had been released from custody.
"She's feeling OK," he wrote.
Chabon posted a video showing what led up to the temporary detention as she was one of several accompanying the protesting group, Rabbis for Cease Fire.
Waldman was carrying a bag of white rice on her shoulder and she is wearing all white and carrying a white flag.
The video shows a peaceful demonstration with Jews in white singing Hebrew songs and condemning the "genocide" against Palestinians.
An Israeli police officer tried to stop Waldman from walking with the bag of rice to Gaza, and Waldman sidesteps him to avoid him, the video shows.
On the video, there are words that state the group knew they wouldn't be allowed to enter Gaza, but they wanted to show that on Passover, the Jewish tradition is to feed all who are hungry.
"The Passover Haggadah reads, "Let all who are hungry come and eat," and teaches us that we must work for the freedom of all people," Rabbis for Ceasefire posted. "Forced starvation is just one of the many weapons of war that the Israeli state is using against the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
The police officer says "enough, don't keep crossing," and Waldman, who was born in Israel, keeps walking.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that other Americans arrested include Rabbi Alissa Wise, a founder of Rabbis for Ceasefire; Rabbi Alana Alpert, a Detroit-area congregational rabbi; Ilana Sumka, a longtime activist and rabbinical student; and Kobi Snitz, a mathematician. They were also released.
Waldman is known for her 2007 novel, "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits," and for her Mommy-Track mystery series. She and Chabon are developing a TV series based on his novel, "The Yiddish Policeman’s Union."
The couple, who are Jewish, have long been vocal of Israeli actions as they pertain to Palestinian rights.
This story was reported from Oakland, Calif.