Lakota Activist Leads Gaza Fast, Confronts Thune on Israel Policy
In Brief: A Whitehorse woman organized a fast among 75 Oceti Sakowin citizens to protest Senator John Thune's support for Israel amid the Gaza crisis.
A Palestinian mother and child in Gaza. Adobe Stock photo. Photo can only be used with this story.
By Todd Epp, Northern Plains News
A Lakota activist from Whitehorse called Senator John Thune's office July 28, to protest the senator's support for Israel while children starve in Gaza.
The call was part of a broader fast involving more than 75 Indigenous people across South Dakota.
Chas Jewett told Thune's staff she was “horrified” that the senator received $461,000 from pro-Israel groups while 36,000 South Dakotans lost Medicaid coverage. Jewett said she and other Oceti Sakowin citizens fasted in solidarity with Palestinians, and that she fasted for five days to bring the number of fasters to 100.
“There are worldwide fasts happening,” Jewett told Northern Plains News. “Veterans for Peace folks have been fasting for some months. I know two people who fasted for 30 days with them.”
Jewett said most participants chose not to have their names made public due to fear of retaliation.
Local Medicaid Cuts Versus Foreign Aid
Jewett contrasted South Dakota's Medicaid cuts with Israel's universal healthcare system and questioned why American tax dollars support foreign healthcare while South Dakotans lose coverage.
She said she reached out to 100 Lakota people across the state to organize the fast. Jewett also contacted Senator Mike Rounds’ office and recorded that call. She said she did not contact Representative Dusty Johnson.
Photo with Netanyahu
Jewett said she plans to release a photo of Thune standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The image, taken from Thune’s official Twitter account, shows the South Dakota senator beside Netanyahu, whom Jewett referred to as a "wanted war criminal."
“We’re going to put out a press release, and we’re going to put a picture of Senator Thune smiling, sitting right next to Benjamin Netanyahu,” she said.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with U.S. Senators at a dinner. Photo from Sen. Thune’s X feed via Chas Jewett.
Indigenous Solidarity Movement
Jewett connected the Palestinian experience to the historical trauma faced by Indigenous Americans, saying both peoples have endured displacement and violence driven by government policy.
“These policy things that are happening right now to the Palestinian people, happen to us,” said Jewett, who identifies as Lakota.
The fast participants included “grandmothers” and other community members from Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota homelands, according to a press release Jewett sent to Northern Plains News.
No Response Yet from Thune
A Thune staff member told Jewett the office was “aware of the situation” and would pass along her message. Jewett said no one from Thune’s office has returned her call. She left her number and requested a response.
Thune's office has not yet commented on the protest or Jewett’s allegations about campaign contributions. Jewett said the group will continue advocating for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The call to Thune’s office lasted approximately seven minutes, with Jewett speaking for most of the conversation while a staff member listened and took notes.
If Senators Rounds or Thune respond, NPN will report their responses.
:30 Broadcast Reader
A Lakota activist from Whitehorse organized a fast among 75 Indigenous people to protest Senator John Thune’s support for Israel.
That’s according to reporting by Northern Plains News.
Chas Jewett called Thune’s office July 28, saying the senator took 461-thousand dollars from pro-Israel groups while 36-thousand South Dakotans lost Medicaid.
She said participants fasted in solidarity with starving children in Gaza and plans to release a photo of Thune standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Thune’s office hasn’t responded.
:10 Broadcast Reader
Northern Plains News reports a Whitehorse woman organized a fast among 75 Indigenous people to protest Senator John Thune’s support for Israel.
Chas Jewett called Thune’s office July 28, urging him to prioritize South Dakota over foreign aid to Israel.
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