Cynthia Nixon, renowned for her role as Miranda Hobbes in *Sex and the City*, recently shared that her transgender son, Seph Mozes, is participating in a hunger strike in Chicago to advocate for peace in Gaza.
Mozes, a University of Chicago alum and observant Jew, is part of Jewish Voices for Peace, a Jewish anti-Zionist group that stands in solidarity with Palestine. Nixon announced Mozes’ involvement in an interview with *Newsweek*, highlighting their commitment to the cause with the motto, “Stop starving Gaza, stop arming Israel.”
Mozes, born Samantha Mozes, came out as transgender in 2018, as reported by *People*. Now 28, Mozes is driven by a deep sense of justice, partially inspired by their paternal grandparents, Holocaust survivors. Nixon described Mozes as “a smart person with his ear to the ground,” emphasizing their awareness and dedication.
The hunger strike, which began on Monday and is set to continue indefinitely, involves Mozes and five other activists. Eman Abdelhadi, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, confirmed the strike’s start, with local reports corroborating the ongoing effort.
This is not Nixon’s first foray into activism for Gaza. In November 2023, she joined a five-day hunger strike outside the White House, demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. Nixon participated for two days, standing alongside state legislators, community leaders, and activists.
Her involvement underscores a family commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where dwindling food supplies and a significant refugee crisis persist amid ongoing conflict.
Mozes’ activism through Jewish Voices for Peace reflects a broader movement among some Jewish individuals and groups advocating for Palestinian rights.
The organization describes itself as rooted in Jewish values, opposing Zionism and calling for an end to what it sees as systemic oppression in the region. Mozes’ hunger strike aims to draw attention to Gaza’s plight, though Nixon noted that her son harbors no illusions about single-handedly ending the war. Instead, Mozes seeks to do “everything he can” to raise awareness and push for change.
Nixon’s own activism extends beyond Gaza. In 2018, she ran for New York governor against Andrew Cuomo, campaigning on issues like universal rent control to address housing inequalities.
Her public persona blends her acting career with a fierce dedication to social justice, often drawing from personal experiences. Mozes’ hunger strike, supported by their mother’s platform, highlights a generational continuity in activism, rooted in a family history touched by survival and resilience.
The Gaza conflict remains a deeply polarizing issue, with significant implications for global politics and humanitarian efforts. Mozes’ hunger strike, alongside Nixon’s prior actions, underscores the personal stakes some feel in advocating for peace. As the crisis in Gaza continues, activists like Mozes and Nixon are using their voices to call for an end to violence and suffering, urging global leaders to act.