I went to Bethlehem last year. During the Christian festival of Easter I sat in the hotel on the hill and watched as tanks rolled in, as Palestinians prepared to fight, hide or flee. While I was there I hoped that I was not alone. What effect would my death produce in my home town, among those who knew me?

These days we seem to be confronted with that question again and again. They are killing us -- what can we do about it?

I went as a volunteer with the ISM (International Solidarity Movement), a Palestinian-led group of peace activists based in the area around Bethlehem, with the aim of non-violent direct action against the Israeli occupation. The ISM in Bethlehem or Jerusalem co-ordinate volunteers from the USA, Europe and other places, to come and take effective action in favour of peace and justice.

Forgive my bland statements; I don't have time to recap the entire ISM history, aims and philosophy. What is clear is that there is now a *large body* of people in the UK who have heeded the call and who have taken action against Occupation. How large? I don't know.

In times like these all of us need to act together. What effect would my death have? I asked myself. Would it produce action, demonstration, acts of sabotage in the UK? Would my friends be crushed or be fired up by grief?

To deal with the real possibility of more injuries and deaths during ISM campaigns I propose that we do not retreat, that instead we get more organized. As a rule we need to stay in contact with volunteers during their campaign, we need to provide pressure in the UK to aid their tasks in Gaza/West Bank or Israel. In the event of tragedy -- all too common under Israeli occupation -- we need to be able to act as a network to bring the greatest possible pressure upon the UK, US and Israeli governments.

My immediate call is for a UK-wide ISM supporters' gathering. I know that there are ISM groupings in Manchester, London, Cambridge and elsewhere. I propose that one of these groups host a gathering in the next few weeks so that can establish good communications.

Remember -- we risk death or injury in the Occupied Territories to save lives. We can also save lives by risking far less in the UK itself!