INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
May 2, 2003
For Immediate Release
***Press Release***
[ISM Media Office Bethlehem, Palestine]
The International Solidarity Movement supports non-violent
resistance to the illegal and brutal occupation of Palestine.
Palestinians have long been at risk of death, imprisonment and
torture when they engage in acts of peaceful resistance. When
internationals are present, that risk is somewhat reduced. But now
the Israeli army is targeting international peace activists as well,
violating international law and attempting to suppress all means of
protest in the occupied territories.
On April 30, 2003 a suicide bomber and an accomplice tried to
enter "Mike's Place" bar in Tel Aviv. One murdered three people in
addition to killing himself. The other escaped. They both held
British passports. These activities are in complete contradiction to
the purpose and commitment of ISM to non-violent resistance.
There have been media reports trying to connect these two men to
ISM. There is no connection. They never tried to infiltrate ISM.
They never contacted the ISM. They could have attended a memorial
service for Rachel Corrie in Rafah that was open to anybody. As far
as we know, the reports of them attending a demonstration sponsored
by ISM are wrong. However, that too would have been open to the
public.
As a policy, ISM requires two days of training for all of its
activists. This functions as a screening in addition to training in
non-violent peaceful resistance and orientation to the ISM
guidelines. All of our groups function by consensus. This process
discourages any individuals from acting impulsively. We know our
activists, and none have engaged in or have been accused of engaging
in, any aggressive, confrontational, or illegal activity.
General Yaalon of the Israeli Army gave an order on the eve of the
Jewish festival of Passover to remove ISM from the West Bank and
Gaza. This order long preceded the bombing in Tel Aviv. The Israeli
army wants us to leave because we are providing witness to the
atrocities committed by the Israeli army. Israel and the United
States have gone to great Lengths to ensure that no International
Observers would be sent to Palestine by The United Nations or any
other objective International Organization. ISM activists have come
to provide witness to the cruelty, the brutality and the truth about
this occupation and its' purpose.
Tom Wallace
ISM Media Coordinator