Coming Soon!!!

For Now Please Read the Local Press Coverage and this Article from Kevin 

Israeli Terrorism
Date: January 16, 2003
Area: Nablus
Author: Kevin Clark

Everyday of my stay here in Nablus has been full of contradictions. The corporate news media in the U.S. is quick to announce every "terrorist" act that Palestinians take to fight the occupation of their country by the Israeli military but that same news media turns a blind eye to the terrorism used by the Sharon regime to crush the resistance struggle. During my time here, I have personally witnessed Palestinians standing at military checkpoints for 4-5 hours at a time, ambulances with patients held for up to an hour or longer at the checkpoints, Israeli soldiers firing live rounds at stone throwing youth, people running in fear of IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) snipers hidden on the surrounding mountains, roadblocks to make the daily struggle to exist more of a hardship and the psychological fear inflicted on the families of the Tel Aviv "suicide bombers" that wait in fear of the IOF appearing to demolish their homes in retaliation.

Last evening, I along with two young "internationals”, stayed at the home of one of the
Tel Aviv Martyrs’ families to protect them should the IOF appear to demolish their home. This is the same home that I have stayed in several nights and have been honored by their warmth. This morning at approximately 4AM, I had a sense that something was wrong and a few seconds later the sound of a car motor prompted me to look out the window as 6 military vehicles pulled up in front of the home. We quickly awaken the family and got them away from windows that could be shattered by bullets. The three ISM (International Solidarity Movement) volunteers took our positions in windows and witnessed the soldiers with M16 rifles enter a home across the street to arrest a young man. They took the man out to a waiting jeep with a hood over his head and handcuffs around his wrists. The family we were staying with was able to go back to bed after the IOF left the area but the lingering fear remains that they will return again on one night soon to demolish their home. ISM volunteers have vowed to maintain a presence in the home for as long as necessary.

Despite the horrors generated by the Sharon government and the IOF, I have also witnessed the incredible strength of the Palestinian people and their determination to resist this illegal occupation of their country. Old women at checkpoints confront IOF soldiers that allow them to cross in the morning but later that same day tell them they cannot return home that afternoon because the checkpoint has been closed arbitrarily. Stone throwing youth confront the heavily armed IOF with the only weapon available to them knowing that they risk death or arrest. People defying curfew to visit friends or in several instances assist ISM volunteers get from one point to another. The Palestinian people face the fourth largest military machine in the world without an army of their own but their spirit of resistance will not be broken.

As my time here in Palestine quickly ticks away, I am full of sadness at the thought of leaving the Palestinians that have treated this "American" with nothing except warmth and kindness. They, like the Vietnamese during that war, make a clear distinction between the U.S government and individual citizens. I am also sad to know that in the coming days, I will have to bid farewell to the ISM volunteers that have become comrades in the struggle. My fellow ISM volunteers are a "kick-ass" group from several countries that have made a strong commitment to stand in solidarity with the brave people of Palestine. One of my ISM co-workers will leave for Jenin tomorrow and she will be missed greatly since we developed a chemistry while working at the checkpoints that surround Nablus.

In closing, while this is my first visit to Palestine---it will not be my last. If I could find some way to stay here longer, I would jump at the opportunity.