ISM Reports: Activists Face Deportation From Israel

From: "International Solidarity Movement"

Date: Thursday Jan. 1, 2004 3:10 pm

Subject: Media Alerts – Deportation orders issued against 4 peace
activist, including Swedish MP

Israeli interior ministry issued a deportation order against 4 peace
activists. The two Swedes, members of ISM, MP Gustav Fridolin and
Freidrek are currently held in Ariel settlement police station. IWPS
activists Kate and Kim are held in an interior ministry detention
center in Khadera.

Back ground information:
villagers from Budrus, and their Israeli and
International supporters, made a peaceful march onto Budrus lands
that are set to be destroyed for the construction of the Israeli
Apartheid Wall. Protesters were met by the Israeli army who
physically assaulted the men, women and children present and opened
fire on the crowd with over 100 rubber bullets aimed at people's
heads. Tear gas was also fired. There are many injuries and
approximately 10 people have been taken to the hospital. At least 4
Israelis and 6 internationals have been detained and have been
threatened with arrest. Gustav Fridolin, a Swedish member of
parliament is among the group of detained protesters. Israeli
protester Nimrod Kerreet has been badly beaten.

Curfew was then imposed on the village, but protesters decided to
continue their peace presence on their land and were met with
continued violence. If this phase of the Wall construction is
allowed to continue, Budrus will be largely surrounded by it and
rendered an enclave without the necessary services for survival.
The villagers have been peacefully resisting the advance of the wall
on their land for over one month and plan to continue their non-
violent civil disobedience campaign against it.

Among the protesters were Israelis from the Anarchists Against Walls
group that participated in the non-violent demonstration at Masha on
December 26. It was during this demonstration that Israeli activist
Gil Na'amati (22), was shot with two live bullets in both legs and
badly injured. An American member of the International Solidarity
Movement (ISM) was also injured by a bullet. Internationals present
today were from the ISM and International Women's Peace Service
(IWPS).

Currently, the village of Budrus is under curfew and the Israeli
army has occupied at least one home. Gustav Fridolin along with one
other Swedish activist and two American activists are being detained
at the Bet Arye police station.

For more information call

Ghassan Andoni 054369975