Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Two ISM activists prevented from entering Jericho governmental compound

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Update from Jericho

At 17:30 two ISM activists, Neta and Chris, were detained while trying to enter the Jericho governmental compound. The two activists were accompanying a medical team that wanted to give medical aid to the prisoners wounded during the siege on the Jericho prison. Border police drove them away from the compound and released them around 18:10.

During the incident one of the activists overheard an Israeli commander say: "Shoot anyone who is leaving the prison."

Since this morning a large number of Israeli soldiers, jeeps, tank and Apache helicopters are attacking the prison of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Jericho. They are demanding the surrender of six members of the PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) who are imprisoned for the assassination of Israeli minister of Tourism Rehavam Zeevi in 2001.

For more information contact:
Neta: 054 2217738
ISM Media Office: 02 2971824

Monday, March 13, 2006

RachelsWords.org


Rachel Corrie was 23 years old when she was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer on March 16, 2003. She was working with others trying to protect the home of a Palestinian pharmacist from demolition in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. “My Name is Rachel Corrie” is a powerful one-woman show based entirely on the writings that Rachel left behind, telling her story from the time she was a small child, leading up to the days before her death. The play, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner from Rachel’s diaries and emails, was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in London. Starring Megan Dodds, it played to sold out audiences and wide acclaim.

“My Name is Rachel Corrie” was scheduled to open at the New York Theatre Workshop on March 22nd. It has been postponed indefinitely, sparking much debate. Director Alan Rickman said, “Rachel Corrie lived in nobody’s pocket but her own. Whether one is sympathetic with her or not, her voice is like a clarion in the fog and should be heard.” Rachel’s mother Cindy wonders, “Why are people so afraid of Rachel’s words?” We ask the same question and are determined to give people the opportunity to hear those words.

The “Rachel’s Words” initiative is made up of a broad spectrum of groups and individuals who believe that Rachel’s words and her message of human rights and justice should be heard. We hope that Rachel’s Words will open the door for other equally important and silenced voices. We resist the pervasive climate of fear and challenge to free speech that is increasingly prevalent in our society. Rachel wrote about issues that concern us all. People must have the opportunity to hear her message and decide for themselves what they think. Nobody’s agenda should stand in the way of that.