As visitors made their way through the bustling heart of Downtown Crossing Saturday afternoon, a group of nearly 30 demonstrators, most of whom were retirees, waved signs and chanted for water access in Palestine on World Water Day. 

The hour-long stand-out, organized by the Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, was held on an annual day of observance established by the United Nations that recognizes the importance of access to clean water for all. The action sought to bring attention to how water has been used as a “weapon” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to fliers being handed out to residents. 

“98% of the water in Gaza is unfit for human consumption,” Susan Edzkiewicz, a member of the Alliance, said to The Beacon, adding that “every day, [Palestinians are] dying because they don’t have clean water.”

Since the collapse of the most recent ceasefire on March 18, Israel has cut off electricity and blocked foreign aid from entering the region, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government have not ruled out cutting off water access. Nearly 80% of water and sanitation infrastructure has been partially or completely destroyed in the Gaza Strip, according to Oxfam.

“We can’t take it, and we won’t stop fighting and working towards justice for Palestinians,” Edzkiewicz said. “[Demonstrating] is a little piece of what we can do.”

Sara, who declined to provide her last name out of fear for her personal safety, said Americans use water “every time [they] flush the toilet, every time [they] take a shower.”

“These are things I’ve had comfortably my whole life and take for granted, and these are things that most of Gaza is living without today,” she added.

Some passersby encountered the group with opposition as they walked through the intersection. About halfway through the stand-out, Beacon reporters overheard a confrontation between an individual with an opposing perspective and demonstrators Martha Nencioli and Dave Lewig.

The individual repeatedly stated that the demonstrators “don’t know what’s going on,” and that they are “brainwashed.”

The individual, who said she is Jewish and came to the United States 45 years ago from Russia, spoke about her son who currently lives in Israel. 

“Israel is a peaceful nation,” she said. “My son moved to Israel when he was 25 … because it is a wonderful nation. They admire everybody, they share everything.” 

“You can be a Jew and criticize Israel, just like how you can be American and criticize America,” Nencioli, who is also Jewish, said in response.

Gesturing towards the larger group, the individual said, “They don’t want peace, they want Israel out completely.”

“You’re talking, but you’re not listening,” Lewig responded.

The individual declined to provide her name or give a formal interview with Beacon reporters. As she walked away from the intersection, Nencioli reflected on the confrontation. 

“I can’t understand how anyone can stand by and watch what is happening in Gaza and not be appalled and morally offended,” Nencioli told The Beacon.

Jill, a member of the Alliance who declined to provide her last name out of fear of retribution, explained that many of the other demonstrators are Jewish. Jill’s husband is Palestinian and his family is currently in the Gaza Strip.

“The people who come to these protests are pro-Palestinian,” she said. “They aren’t antisemitic … that’s one thing a lot of people misconstrue.”

Nencioli believes that it is possible to separate religious beliefs from moral beliefs.

“I don’t condone what Hamas did by any means. I don’t condone the killing of civilians no matter who’s doing it, but this is excessive,” Nencioli said.“I don’t think being religious means you can’t criticize the government of Israel.”

Demonstrators spoke out not only about water rights, but also voiced outrage at the United States government for its continued military support of Israel.

“This really is one of the critical issues of our time,” Nancy Murray, who has visited Gaza 18 times since 1988, said.

Murray is a member of the Alliance, and like other members, she is disappointed in the role the United States is playing in the conflict. 

“Massachusetts taxpayers have paid over half a billion dollars for weapons for Israel in the past year,” she said. “I think that if people in Massachusetts knew this they would be really shocked. We have all these needs here, and yet it’s all going to weapons manufacturers to get 2000-pound bombs.”

“I don’t want genocide on my conscience when I pay my taxes,” Murray added.

Lewig held two canes above his head during the stand-out, referencing Texas Rep. Al Green’s recent protest actions during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress, in which Green shouted out while raising his cane and was removed from the chamber. 

Ruth Caplan, who stood next to Lewig, held a sign that said “Raising Cain,” which is an idiom that comes from the biblical story of Cain and Abel and means “to cause disruption.”

“We need to get hundreds of thousands of people to raise their canes to get this story well known,” Lewig said.

Iselin Bratz of The Beacon staff contributed reporting.