Medea Benjamin, cofounder of the peace group CODEPINK, posted video on X late Tuesday: “Is active duty airman Larry Hebert, now on day 10 of his hunger strike for Gaza, facing retribution? Today, after bravely confronting the Air Force Chief of Staff regarding U.S. complicity in the Gaza genocide, he’s been ordered back to his post, abruptly canceling his leave.”
Hebert asked Gen. David W. Allvin on Capitol Hill about the U.S. government’s backing of Israel after Allvin testified before Congress: “I would just like to know why we’re committing a genocide and why we’re breaking U.S. and international law. Why are we allowed to do this?”
Hebert’s hunger strike has been covered by outlets ranging from Military.com: “Airman Starts Hunger Strike at White House over Gaza, Inspired by Another Airman’s Self-Immolation Death” to Democracy Now: “Active-Duty U.S. Airman, Inspired by Aaron Bushnell, on Hunger Strike Outside White House over Gaza.”
Hebert said: “When Aaron Bushnell, a fellow Airman, took his own life at the Israeli Embassy [on Feb. 25] for the people of Gaza, it touched me deeply. I knew I had to speak out in opposition to our government sending Israel the bombs and rockets to commit genocide.”
MIKE FERNER, mike@veteransforpeace.org, @VFPNational
Ferner is National Director Veterans For Peace and is in contact with Hebert as he is traveling back to his base in Spain over the next two days. Ferner said: “Veterans For Peace congratulates Senior Airman Larry Hebert for doing what every conscientious member of the military should do — question their leadership when they see them going off the rails. By standing up to General Allvin yesterday and for fasting the last ten days in front of the White House, Larry is inspiring many others to question and resist. That is exactly what VFP will do until this killing stops.” The group has various actions planned in Washington, D.C.
Ferner was featured on an IPA news release last month: “Vets Urging Criminal Investigations of Biden Weapons to Israel at State Dept. Offices” about violations of Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, the Foreign Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act, the U.S. War Crimes Act, the Leahy Law, and the Genocide Convention Implementation Act.