Hunger strike & Gaza conflict · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Akbar Ganji, dissident journalist and writer, invited Iranians to join him in a three day hunger strike on 14 – 16 July to attract world-wide attention to political prisoners in Iran. Several bloggers supported his proposition but some expressed their doubt about such an action.
From virtual world to a real hunger strike
Sibitala, a Canada based blogger, says she supports Ganji’s idea for a three day hunger strike (Persian). She wrote in her blog Binesh Hassanpour from Toronto University concerning this protest action:
Following a phone conversation with Mr Ganji, it was specified that the three-day hunger strike (July 14-16) will be held without pause, i.e., we don't go home at night. As for subsistence, it's water, tea and sugar. He also encouraged us to involve our non-Iranian friends and colleagues. Mr Ganji might be writing a statement on the hunger strike that we can utilize for publicity; once we receive this via email, we'll distribute it. Remember that one of the strike's purposes is to demand the release of Ramin Jahanbegloo, Mansour Osanloo and Ali-Akbar Mousavi Khoeni.
Yadshthaye tanhayi invites bloggers and others to participate in this hunger strike. The blogger adds that he wants to support his hunger strike call in the real world and not only in the virtual environment (Persian).
Why only just three names?
Nasle Farda, Iran based blogger, says he has always admired Ganji’s courage even though he does not share most of  Ganji’s opinions such as his liberal approach to economic. The blogger says Ganji is one person, he has no political party and he does not represent any social class or any group. You cannot make a revolution with only one person (Persian). He adds:
I do not expect this kind of hunger strike to make any difference in Iranian political life. I do not understand why Ganji just named three political prisoners.
Iranian affairs are not the only issues that Iranian bloggers talk about. International hot news such as the conflict in Gaza has created a few interesting reflections among Iranian bloggers.
Right to have peace
Fovad Shams says we should look at this conflict beyond Israel-Palestine confrontation (Persian). The blogger says
It is a conflict between an Israel dependent on capitalism, and political Islamism where they kill people for their benefit. A woman said Israel could not force me out of Gaza for the last 50 years but Hamas mismanagement …obliged me to go to join my family in Canada. Look what political Islamism has brought for people in a short period.
Naghde Hal writes Gaza should be a place for people to live, not a battle ground between Hamas & Israel (Persian). People should live there beyond their religion, ethnic or linguistic back grounds. Please bring back life to the children in this bloody Gaza.
Third World disappointed!
Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a reformist politician & blogger, is disappointed by western countries’ reaction regarding Gaza conflict (Persian). The   west has  invited all people to choose democracy and its values on one side but on the other side western countries do not condemn Israel acts against democratically elected Hamas Ministers and elected deputies in Parliament. The blogger adds
The outcome of such events is that Third World countries won’t follow anymore democratic way and more wars will happen.