Who We Are
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli apartheid in Palestine by using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principles. Founded by a small group of primarily Palestinian and Israeli activists in August, 2001, ISM aims to support and strengthen the Palestinian popular resistance by providing the Palestinian people with two resources, international solidarity and an international voice with which to nonviolently resist an overwhelming military occupation force.
Check our current updates for reports, journals and press releases.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
Why ISM?
Apartheid is not going to be defeated by words alone; occupation, oppression and domination are going to be dismantled the same way they were erected — through people’s action. The Israeli army and apartheid in Palestine can be defeated by strategic, disciplined unarmed resistance, utilizing the effective resources Palestinians can mobilize — including international participation.
Palestinian-led, non-violent demonstrations against land confiscation are gathering momentum, and tripled in number since the beginning of 2010. Currently ISM supports demonstrations in approximately ten villages, including An Nabi Saleh, Al Ma’asara and Iraq Burin. Previously, ISM supported demonstrations in the villages of Budrus and Biddu. In these villages, peaceful community marches have succeeded in altering the Wall’s path and even stopping Wall construction.
International participation in Palestinian-led non-violent resistance is important for a number of reasons:
- Message to the global mainstream media: The Palestinian struggle is not accurately reported by the mainstream corporate media. Israelis and Palestinians are portrayed as two equal sides which can’t live together, fighting over a piece of land. In reality, Israel’s apartheid regime challenges Palestine’s right to exist, and is met with a Palestinian struggle for freedom, self-determination and human rights. It is the responsibility of the international community to demand accurate reporting.
- Personal witness and transmitting information: International presence alone can offer relief of day-to-day harassment and violence, especially when documenting with cameras, etc. International civilians joining Palestinians can bear witness and return home to talk to their communities about what is happening.
- Break isolation and offer hope: The apartheid isolates Palestinians and cuts them off from the rest of the world and from each other. The presence of international citizens sends a message to the Palestinian community – “we see, we hear and we are with you.” The belief that non-violent direct action can successfully challenge the apartheid is a cornerstone of our philosophy and message.
Internationals with the ISM are not in Palestine to teach nonviolent resistance. Palestinians resist nonviolently ever day. The ISM lends support to the Palestinian resistance to the apartheid and their demand for freedom through the following activities:
- Direct Action – participating in nonviolent demonstrations, disrupting construction of the illegal apartheid wall, accompanying farmers to their fields and residing with or near families whose homes are threatened with eviction or demolition.
- Documentation – documenting and reporting to local and international media about the daily life under apartheid and countless human rights and international law violations by the Israeli military. The need for documentation is not just to show that there are illegal and unjust actions going on, but also to provide a real means of evidence for accountability to the police and courts, case by case.
Get Involved
ISM offers many ways for you to get involved in the struggle for Palestinian freedom. Whether you’re thinking of traveling to Palestine to work with us, or you’d like to work to educate your community about the reality in Palestine, we welcome your involvement. Please visit the websites of the support group nearest to you. Links to our international support groups are found to the left, and on the contact page.
If you would like to get information and updates from us, please send an email to: palsolidarity-subscribe@googlegroups.com
