Today, December 20, at 8 a.m. (UK time), in the West Bank city of Nablus, in Occupied Palestine ('Israel'), fifty human rights campaigners from the International Solidarity Movement including twenty UK nationals [1], started removing two Israeli roadblocks. They are protesting against Israel's policy of restricting the movement of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories[3].

The roadblocks in Hares and Yassouf villages in the Salfit region near
Nablus consisted of rubble, rock and concrete piled six feet high across the
road to prevent traffic from passing. The campaigners are removing them using shovels and other hand tools. Today's direct action is part of a series of non-violent protests by the internationals during their two-week visit [2].

Greg Muttitt, one the UK nationals said,
'These roadblocks are a deliberate attempt by the Israeli government
to intimidate and marginalise the Palestinian people. We want to see all of the roadblocks removed, and we call for an end to the military occupation of Palestine.' [Note: statement is NOT on behalf of all ISM]
ENDS
CONTACT: Greg Muttitt at Israeli road block 00 972 567 04639 or
07904 267 306 or Press Liaison in UK,Andrew Wood 07973 953 446
Editors Notes
[1] The fifty Uk/US campaigners include residents of London, Oxford, Bristol and Manchester. The International Solidarity Movement is made up of Palestinian and international campaigners working to raise awareness of the Palestinian plight. The coalition calls on Israel to implement UN resolutions and abide by international law.
[2] On Tuesday, when they sat between Israeli tanks and the compound of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat shots were fired. Later Arafat welcomed and thanked them. Yesterday, Wednesday the campaigners visited local people who told of the hardships they face, and brutality when they resist. In the Salfit area, where today's action took place, most villages are cut off completely by roadblocks and are effectively under siege. Villagers told the campaigners they couldn't get to work, school or hospital.
[3] Israel has occupied the Palestinian Territories of West Bank and Gaza Strip for over 34 years. In contravention of Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, Israel has illegally housed over a quarter of a million of its own people in settlements in Palestinian lands despite repeated condemnation of the policy by the United Nations. To this end, much Palestinian land has been confiscated, and many homes demolished. There are 22 such settlement towns in the Salfit area alone.