Henry Herskovitz and Michael Levin will speak about their experiences in the occupied Palestinian territories. These two Americans have spent time as peace activists with the International Solidarity Movement, which brings Palestinians and internationals together in resisting the Occupation through nonviolent direct action. Herskovitz and Levin will share photos and stories about their encounters with Israel Defense Forces personnel, interactions with Palestinians, and observations of daily life under Occupation. Please join us for this informative evening. Refreshments will be served.

Information: 312.427.2533 x18 or email justpeace1@aol.com

Sponsors:

• American Friends Service Committee
• Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine

ISM in the News: Background

• On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American, was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in Rafah, Gaza Strip, as she tried to protect a Palestinian house threatened with imminent demolition.
• On April 5, Brian Avery, a 24-year-old American, sustained serious face and head wounds after Israeli troops opened heavy machine gun fire from an armored personnel carrier on a number of Palestinian youths and peace activists in Jenin.
• On April 11, Thomas Hurndall, a 21-year-old Briton, was pronounced clinically dead after being shot by the Israeli army while trying to protect children from Israeli gunfire in Rafah, Gaza Strip.
• On May 8, the Israeli government declared that any foreigners wanting to enter the Gaza Strip would be required to sign a waiver stating that they are not peace activists and absolving the army from responsibility if it shoots them.
• On May 9, Israeli forces invaded the main office of the International Solidarity Movement in Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem, arresting two international peace advocates and a Palestinian employee. In the same raid, Israeli military personnel confiscated six computers, office equipment, and files.
• Since then, numerous other ISM activists have been arrested in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• Press reports and Israeli government statements indicate that Israeli authorities are considering deportation of all ISM participants, as well as the barring of future entry by peace activists. The Israeli government has accused the International Solidarity Movement of recklessly endangering the lives of its volunteers, inciting Palestinians to violence, entering closed military zones, and shielding Palestinian terrorists.
• ISM spokespersons reject these accusations, and fault the Israeli government for initiating an organized campaign to expel any persons who attempt to witness, document, and mitigate the daily brutality of military occupation.

Why are the activists there?

We consider these people to be international witnesses to the suffering of the Palestinian people," says George Rishmawi, a Palestinian organizer with the ISM. "The aim [of Israel] is to deport any foreigner who supports us." Joseph Smith, an American ISM volunteer, explains his reasons for joining ISM actions in the Palestinian territories: "It is important for us to show that the world has not forgotten these people, and that individuals from all over the world are willing to interrupt their comfortable lives to come and risk themselves for the sake of Palestinians."