Socialist Action /September 2002
Israeli Terror Spurs Palestine Solidarity
The ever-escalating brutality of the Israeli Zionist state has shocked
millions. As a result an altogether new level of international solidarity
with Palestine has begun. Its recruits are mainly young activists from the
anti-war movement and World Bank protests, Central America solidarity work,
and anti-racist and trade-union activism.
One Palestine solidarity organization, the International Solidarity Movement
(ISM), formed in August 2001, has just completed its "Freedom Summer"
project. Hundreds of activists from many countries traveled to Palestine
to participate in non-violent "direct action" against Israeli
apartheid.
The ISM states: "Under the protection of its powerful ally and benefactor,
the United States, Israel has been able to continue the occupation, build
illegal settlements, deny the most basic of human rights, and pursue policies
aimed at removing all Palestinians from their homeland." The ISM says
it draws inspiration from the non-violent strategies of Dr. Martin Luther
King and follows the "leadership of Palestinian peace activists."
The ISM was formed in conjunction with Palestinian activists from the
Grassroots International Protection for Palestinians (GIPP), many of whom
are involved in the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees and the
Rapprochement Center in Bethlehem.
The ISM was lending direct aid during the Israeli assault on Palestinian
Authority President Yasir Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah in late March
and during the 40-day assault on Palestinians in the Church of the Nativity
in Bethlehem.
During Freedom Summer the ISM participated in demonstrations against
the Israeli occupation. ISM activists directly challenged curfews and helped
to open military check points, including putting their bodies between Israeli
guns and Palestinians. The ISM has resisted the illegal demolition of the
homes of resistance fighters and has aided families whose homes are under
military occupation.
The next project the ISM is participating in is olive harvesting. It
begins Oct. 12 through Nov. 15. Olives are crucial financially to many Palestinians,
but curfews and illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands are preventing
a harvest, driving families to possible ruin. Activists will be accompanying
and protecting Palestinians in the villages around Hares in the Salfit region.
Those interested should contact iwpsvolunteers@yahoo.com
or www.rapprochement.org.
Another project is being organized by trade unionists who are trying
to get trade-union delegations to visit Palestine. We need the labor movement
to finally break with its blind pro-Israel policies!
To participate or just get updates you can access these websites: www.directactionpalestine
@yahoogroups.com, www.rapprochement.org,
or www.jewsagainsttheoccupation.org.
-MARTY GOODMAN
Socialist Action /September 2002 |