The Palestinian led International Solidarity Movement has been working with international activists to prevent the oppression of Palestinians and to end Israeli occupation. On the 14th february they responded to two different crises in the occupied territories. In the first incident peace activists tried to stop the bulldozing of several Palestinian homes in Rafah. After being fired at with warning shots they engaged in a stand-off with a tank. IMS contacted the US Consulate to tell them its nationals were at risk and it was the first time a consulate has stated explicitly that it will take no responsibility for the welfare of its nationals performing peace work in the Occupied Territories. The activists were forced to retreat and the homes were destroyed.

Elsewhere 12 ISM activists were trying to deliver chocolates to detained families in East Nablus. As they approached a house they were confronted by Israeli soldiers who seized Hussein Khalili, a Palestinian member of the ISM, and fired warning shots at the rest. Khalil was threatened with detainment, very roughly treated and verbally abused. When a brave attempt to intervene by an Israeli ISM activist failed, the combined efforts of ISM Media Centre, the Hamoked and Gush Shalom human rights organisations were able to alert the world to Hussein’s plight. An appeal went out to phone the District Coordination Office of the Israeli Army in the Nablus area, demanding Hussein’s immediate release. Several hours later he was released and calls continued to flow in till the early hours.

ISM activists have come under increasing pressure from the Israeli Occupying Forces in an effort to intimidate them, yet the activists continue their dangerous work. On March 16 the army was trying to destroy more Palestinian homes when an American woman, Rachel Corrie was killed by a bulldozer. The Israeli government expressed it’s regrets and they probably do regret it, as the incident made international news. It is testament to the desire of Palestinian, Israelis and internationals to work together for peace in the Middle East, that ISM volunteers continue their amazing work, despite the ever present risk of more deaths.