THE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT

The Palestine Solidarity Committee -- Seattle is the local representative of the International Solidarity Movement to End the Occupation (ISM), a Palestinian-led movement which asks internationals to come to the Occupied Territories and join in nonviolent resistance to the military occupation.

As U.S. citizens, we are deeply complicit in the ongoing human rights abuse of Israel's military occupation, and ISM gives a unique opportunity to share some of our privilege of safety with Palestinians and enable their nonviolent resistance. For information and direct contact with ISM: www.palsolidarity.org

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN GOING
to the Occupied Territories and joining nonviolent resistance and protection with ISM, or another nonviolent direct action group such as the ones we present below, AND if you're from the Seattle area or the Pacific Northwest region: -- Contact us for information -- info@palestineinformation.org

ADVANCE TRAINING IS IMPORTANT as a complement to the training you will receive when you arrive in the Occupied Territories. We hold local training sessions in Seattle before each regular campaign. If you are going at a time when we aren't offering a regular session, we can usually arrange for you to meet with some of the trainers for some orientation.

We have limited funds for partial scholarships for NW folks who want to go. Please ask!  

If you should decide that the ISM is not for you, there are other possibilities for participation in nonviolent action and witnessing in the Occupied Territories. Here are some other opportunities for international volunteers:

PALESTINE SOLIDARITY PROJECT: PSP is a Palestinian-led project dedicated to opposing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land through nonviolent direct action.  It was founded in the village of Beit Ommar in the sSouthern West Bank during the Summer of 2006.  PSP is dedicated to supporting solidarity between Palestinian communities resisting the Israeli occupation.  It is committed to using non-violent means to effect change, and believe firmly in the concept of sumoud—steadfastness—as a form of resistance.  For many of the communities PSP works with, simply remaining on their land in the face of intimidation, economic strangulation, and a history of forced transfer, is the greatest form of resistance. palestinesolidarityproject.wordpress.com

CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKER TEAMS:  CPT has been a continuing presence in the Hebron District (West Bank) since June 1995. Team members stand with Palestinians and Israeli peace groups engaged in nonviolent opposition to Israeli military occupation, collective punishment, settler harassment, home demolitions and land confiscation.  http://www.cpt.org/index.html

ECUMENICAL ACCOMPANIMENT PROGRAMME IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL: The EAPPI is an initiative of the World Council of Churches under the Ecumenical Campaign to End the Illegal Occupation of Palestine: Support a Just Peace in the Middle East. Its mission is to accompany Palestinians and Israelis in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation. Participants of the program are monitoring and reporting violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, supporting acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offering protection through non-violent presence, engaging in public policy advocacy and, in general, standing in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation.  http://www.eappi.org/

JOINT ADVOCACY INITIATIVE: JAI has initiated campaigns to highlight the daily oppression and injustice suffered under Israeli occupation. These campaigns target local and international partners to help raise awareness and solidify our partnership in the struggle for peace and justice. By sponsoring an olive tree, participating in the Boycott - Divestment - Sanctions call or purchasing local Palestinian products, you can help the Palestinians keep hope alive. www.jai-pal.org

PSC does local trainings, gives tips on fundraising and scholarships, etc; for people interested in going to work with ISM, PSP or other volunteer groups in Palestine. For more information, call (206) 633-1086