News

Alarm in Nablus

Mohammad Daraghmeh 22 July 2003


The number and type of people taking part in a meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce building in Nablus two days ago, to discuss the phenomenon of armed chaos and breach of law by armed groups, was alone indicative of the level of danger felt by the inhabitants of the city. Mohammad Daraghmeh writes in Palestinian daily newspaper Al-Ayyam. 

Freedom Summer

Adam Shapiro 22 July 2003

Amman, Jordan, 17 July 2003 — The International Solidarity Movement’s second Freedom Summer has begun, and much has changed since our last: the war on Iraq, which focused all eyes on the region; the much-hyped road map; full-blown construction on what Palestinians have come to call the Apartheid Wall. Sadly, though, much remains the same: the continuing deterioration of the lives of Palestinians, with poverty and health crises in a crescendo. Adam Shapiro, an organizer with the International Solidarity Movement, writes in The Nation. 

"We are all Palestinians"

Avi Zer-Aviv 21 July 2003

“I have been hiding out here in Tel Aviv the last few days, recovering from a really turbulent few weeks and of the bitter news that my friends are being deported from Israel now. Already 5 of the 8 detained internationals have been deported, following the Tel Aviv District Court decision upholding the Interior Ministry’s decision that these human rights activists pose a “security threat”. The judge seemed unsympathetic, ordering the immediate deportation of the activists, dismissing a request to allow for one more week to file an appeal.” Avi Zer-Aviv writes from Tel Aviv. 

"He risked all for others": Tom Hurndall's mother remembers her son

Emily Sheffield 21 July 2003


“On Friday 11 April, my eldest son, a photojournalist, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier. He was trying to protect two young girls in the Israelis’ line of fire in Gaza. He is 21 and now lies in a coma, with severe brain damage. We know he is not expected to recover and our family are endeavouring to come to terms with this. Recently, we were able to fly him home from Israel and he is now in The Royal Free in Hampstead, in a room overlooking London, filled with photographs of his life. Two large sheets covered in wonderful written messages from friends hang on the walls.” Tom Hurndall’s mother Emily remembers her son. 

Border Crossings

Jordan Topp Bourj Al Barajneh refugee camp, Lebanon 19 July 2003

An miniature airplane hangs in the center of the ceiling fan. Mohammad points up at it, Nadia brought it for my nephew, Ahmad, but I took for myself. An airplane. The center piece of a room filled with symbols of a ravaged homeland. Palestine. 

Checkpoints on the Road Map

Brooke Atherton West Bank 17 July 2003


At Beit Farik, 25 men stood waiting in the sun to return to their villages from Nablus for over 5 hours. The line grew from 25 to 50 men, but the soldiers ignored them, only allowing one or two men to pass every twenty minutes until late in the day. Eight of the men were singled out. Their IDs were taken from them and they were detained at the checkpoint for hours until the soldiers decided to return their IDs and let them leave. Brooke Hatherton writes from the northern part of the West Bank. 

Going nowhere: the real Road Map for Palestinians

Daniel Jacob Quinn West Bank 17 July 2003


Then we hit the next checkpoint. Israeli soldiers with armored jeeps blocked the road and were forcing all vehicles to stop. We were 5th in line. All of the vehicles in front of us — one medical supply van, a truck filled with bales of hay, a passenger car, and another service taxi — were forced to turn back. When the soldiers motioned us forward, he peered into the car, saw 7 men and 1 woman and told everyone to get out. He took our passports and the other guys’ ID’s - color coded, orange or green. This helps the soldiers decide who to single out for the most humiliating treatment.�� 

Prominent Dutch women visit Israel and occupied Palestine

Arjan El Fassed 16 July 2003

EI’s Arjan El Fassed facilitated a mission of prominent Dutch women to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories which took place between the 7th and 12th of July. The mission was organized by United Civilians for Peace, a joint initiative of six Dutch peace and development organisations who have been working with their Palestinian and Israeli counterparts for many years in the field of development, peace building and human rights.