11 May 2003
A dozen heavily armed and entirely male army force surrounded us, grabbing for our cameras and violently pushing us to the ground. Several soldiers grabbed Charlotte and I—causing bruises on our arms and legs—and forced on a jeep to the Tulkaram DCO and military base. Read more about Tulkarem: Israeli forces snatch, beat and arrest ISM volunteers
8 May 2003
Israel’s arrest of Human Rights Watch’s researcher for Israel and the Occupied Territories sends the wrong signal on the eve of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s visit to the country, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch protested the arrest and called for the researcher’s immediate release [Sissons was released at approximately midnight local time today]. Read more about Human Rights Watch to Appeal Deportation of Researcher
12 May 2003
The main United Nations agency providing assistance to Palestine refugees today protested that a complete closure of the Gaza Strip imposed by Israel on UN international staff had crippled its operations there. Read more about UN agency protests Israeli closure of Gaza Strip
12 May 2003
“The contribution of the ISM to advancing the cause of peace in the Middle East, to defending human rights, and to upholding international law is without parallel. This organization’s selfless efforts to promote peace and protect the lives of innocent civilians in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict clearly merit international recognition.” Canadian MP Svend J. Robinson nominates ISM for the Nobel Peace Prize. Read more about Canadian MP nominates ISM for Nobel Prize
8 May 2003
The existing conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories has had a negative impact on human settlements and a large number of houses and related infrastructure networks have been destroyed. Since the start of the second intifada around 40,000 dwellings have either been damaged or destroyed. Read more about Housing situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and establishment of a human settlements fund
8 May 2003
Amnesty International today condemned the Israeli authorities’ decision requiring foreigners entering Gaza to sign “waivers” that absolve Israel from responsibility should they be killed or injured. Read more about Amnesty International delegates denied access to Gaza
11 May 2003
As a service to newly arrived diplomatic and media visitors in Palestine trying to make sense of a confusing new road map, BNN provides this helpful and up-to-date traffic report. Read more about Palestine traffic report
11 May 2003
PCHR condemns the Israeli authorities’ recent decision to impose severe restrictions on internationals entering the Gaza Strip. Over the last ten days internationals have been required to submit to a number of measures before being allowed into Gaza, including signing a declaration exempting Israel from responsibility for death, injury or any damage that they may incur while in the Gaza Strip. Read more about PCHR condemns Israel’s recent crackdown on internationals
10 May 2003
“The International Solidarity Movement is a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land using nonviolent, direct action methods and principles. Recently, ISM has been the focus of a lot of attention and misinformation; attention that we’ve been trying to get for a long time engaging in Palestinian nonviolent resistance. However, usually what we hear from journalists is ‘call us if there is blood.’” The following text is from a 5 May 2003 ISM press conference in Jerusalem. Read more about ISM: Report from May 5th Press Conference in Jerusalem
10 May 2003
“At approximately 6:00 PM, May 10, 2003, Radika, a US citizen, Charlotte, a UK citizen, and Osama, a Palestinian coordinator working with the ISM, were detained by Israeli forces near Tulkarem in the West Bank.” An ISM press release offers an update. Read more about ISM Update: 3 internationals taken into IDF custody in Tulkarem