International Solidarity Movement

Act immediately to lift the siege off Nablus, Balata and Beit Foreek

3 January 2004


Nablus has been under siege for the last 10 days while Balata refugee camp has been under siege for the last 18 consecutive days. We have just heard that every single entrance/exit to Balata has been sealed off completely. No food or medicine is allowed in. Medical relief teams are being obstructed and at times completely prevented from passing through. Activists from ISM (the International Solidarity Movement) were attacked while carrying out their missions to observe and bear witness on what the Israeli occupation authorities are brutalizing the Palestinian population. 

Israel shoots unarmed Israeli peace activist with live ammunition

26 December 2003


Within a minute of the beginning of the action, IDF forces took up positions and began firing live ammunition in the general direction of the nonviolent protestors. Ignoring the Israeli aggression, the activists held their ground and continued dismantling the gate. During this time one Israeli activist, Gil Na’amati, was seriously wounded by Israeli gunfire. One American activist was also lightly wounded by shrapnel. Despite continued Israeli firing, protestors dismantled the gate’s locking mechanism and opened the gate. 

Montreal-based solidarity activist and journalist barred from Israel

International Solidarity Movement 1 December 2003


Montreal-based solidarity activist and alternative journalist was barred from entering Israel this past Saturday. Stefan Christoff, who is a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and a media activist, attempted to cross into Israel from Jordan. Border officials held Stefan for several hours, where he was interrogated and thoroughly searched before finally being barred entry by Israeli border guards. Stefan was unilaterally deemed a “security threat” to Israel; no proof or explanation was provided. Border guards threatened to remove Stefan by force if he did not return to Jordan. 

Vancouver International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

18 November 2003


The Canada Palestine Association and ISM Vancouver hosted an evening of solidarity with the Palestinian People on Saturday November 29 at the Maritime Labour Centre in Vancouver. Guest speakers included Cindy and Craig Corrie, parents of slain 23 year-old American peace activist Rachel Corrie, and co-founder of Electronic Intifada EI’s Laurie King-Irani, and discussion and video showings by recently returned ISM activists from British Columbia. The evening also featured a LIVE phone report from Rafah in the Gaza Strip by Melissa, an ISM Vancouver volunteer. 

Another six ISM activists arrested

10 July 2003


Six international peaceworkers participating in The ISM Freedom Summer in Palestine campaign were arrested this afternoon in the city of Nablus, on the West Bank. The group had removed 2 earthen roadblocks in the Nablus area and were working on removing the 3rd today. All 6 activists arrested by the Israeli military were handcuffed and transported by Israeli bus to Ariel police station. 

Trial of ISM olive grove defenders begins

19 June 2003

The trial of Neta Golan and Shelly Nativ, Israeli citizens and members of the International Solidarity Movement, opened this morning in Hashalom court house in Kfar Saba. The two are accused of blocking IDF bulldozers in the village Dir Istya near Salfit to prevent them from uprooting Palestinian olive trees. Golan and Nativ are charged with interfering with police work, interfering with a public servant’s work (the bulldozer driver) and disobeying a decree of “closed military zone”.