ISM Call For Volunteers In Palestine
ism_manchester | 23.05.2003 19:44
People are now well aware that the ISM has come under attack in Palestine. One activist has been killed, another is in a coma, and a third has had a serious injury to his face. In addition, the IDF has raided the ISM offices and has deported a number of activists.
However, it is still possible for people to come to Palestine. It is unlikely that activists will be refused entry into Israel, providing they have a good story. Once they are in the Palestinian areas, there is still plenty that can be done without undue risk of arrest or of being killed by the IDF.
Most of the work that the ISM did and still does is not confrontational and is not "human shield" work. There has been much discussion within ISM about how the situation now affects the kind of work that we do. Basically it is up to activists to make consensus choices about what they do. When I was on the West Bank I monitored checkpoints, stayed in houses at risk of demolition, stayed at the Israeli-Palestinian-International run peace camp at the site of the wall, and I stayed in a small village where the villagers felt intimidated by local settlers. None of this work was confrontational, and it can all still go on with minimal risk of arrest or deportation.
Although sometimes activists wonder whether they are helping, the fact is that the Palestinians want us to be there, if only as observers. One of the most important functions of the ISM is to observe, write, and take photographs: this is the only way the world will know what is happening. Israeli activists are often afraid to travel to Palestinian areas, and are not allowed in Area A. So information gathered by the international activists is a vital resource for the Israeli peace movement.
The ISM has issued an urgent call for internationals to join them in Palestine. In particular, they are looking for people prepared to go for up to three months to act as coordinators. They have also asked for Jewish people (it is more embarrassing for Israel to deport them) and older people (who are more respected by soldiers). But everyone is welcome.
So please, don't think that it is not possible to do ISM work any more - this is what the Israeli government wants us to think! They are only taking action against us because we have proven to be effective - now is the time to step up activities.
Contact:
http://www.palsolidarity.org
http://www.ism-london.org.
We are organising a training weekend in Manchester for those thinking about going, on June 14-15. For further details please contact
ism_manchester@riseup.net.
Most of the work that the ISM did and still does is not confrontational and is not "human shield" work. There has been much discussion within ISM about how the situation now affects the kind of work that we do. Basically it is up to activists to make consensus choices about what they do. When I was on the West Bank I monitored checkpoints, stayed in houses at risk of demolition, stayed at the Israeli-Palestinian-International run peace camp at the site of the wall, and I stayed in a small village where the villagers felt intimidated by local settlers. None of this work was confrontational, and it can all still go on with minimal risk of arrest or deportation.
Although sometimes activists wonder whether they are helping, the fact is that the Palestinians want us to be there, if only as observers. One of the most important functions of the ISM is to observe, write, and take photographs: this is the only way the world will know what is happening. Israeli activists are often afraid to travel to Palestinian areas, and are not allowed in Area A. So information gathered by the international activists is a vital resource for the Israeli peace movement.
The ISM has issued an urgent call for internationals to join them in Palestine. In particular, they are looking for people prepared to go for up to three months to act as coordinators. They have also asked for Jewish people (it is more embarrassing for Israel to deport them) and older people (who are more respected by soldiers). But everyone is welcome.
So please, don't think that it is not possible to do ISM work any more - this is what the Israeli government wants us to think! They are only taking action against us because we have proven to be effective - now is the time to step up activities.
Contact:
http://www.palsolidarity.org http://www.ism-london.org. We are organising a training weekend in Manchester for those thinking about going, on June 14-15. For further details please contact
ism_manchester@riseup.net.
ism_manchester
e-mail:
ism_manchester@riseup.net
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