Fw: [palsolidarity] ISM PRESS RELEASE

["Edvino Ugolini" <edvinoug@tin.it>]

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

Beit Sahour, Occupied Palestine

ism-alert@palsolidarity.org

+972 -2-277-4602

+972-(0)52-360-241

+972-(0)67-862-439



Huwaida Arraf

+972-(0)67-473-308