International Solidarity Movement (ISM) 

  • ISM describes itself as “a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principles”.   ISM does not have a hierarchy with recognized leaders, it is a highly political organization. 
  • ISM claims to engage in ‘non violent’ action, acting as ‘protection’ for Palestinians. However, they encourage activists to take ‘direct action’, which often places them in danger, directly confronting the IDF which is charged with protecting Israeli lives and preventing terror.
  • As a result of their policy of confronting the IDF, ISM has been responsible for endangering the safety of many foreign nationals.  These include American citizen Rachel Corrie and UK citizen Tom Hurndall.  Both were killed by the IDF while participating in ISM activities.
  • Most recently, ISM has been involved in the violent protests against the security barrier at Ni’lin. These incidents are part of a wider campaign to de-legitimize Israel’s security barrier, constructed to prevent terror.   
  • ISM attempted to help terrorists taking refuge in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002 (Read the ISM account here) 
  •  In 2003, terrorists originating from UK, having forged links with ISM, attacked the Mike’s Place bar in Tel Aviv, murdering three people.
  •  In August 2008, ISM and radical NGOs such as ICAHD (Israel Committee Against House Demolitions) launched a boat voyage to ‘break the Gaza blockade’.  This publicity stunt brought little aid into Gaza.  
  •  The recent injuries sustained by Tristan Anderson, 38, from California during a clash with the IDF at Nilin has again exposed the irresponsible activities of ISM.

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 NGO Monitor was founded to promote transparency, critical analysis and debate on the political role of human rights organizations.  For more information, see our website at

http://www.ngo-monitor.org 

Other recent publications and reports by NGO Monitor include:-

Amnesty’s Gaza ‘Report’ and calls for arms embargo: Abolishing Israel’s right to self-defense   – February 25, 2009

The NGO Front in the Gaza War – February 5, 2009

NGO ‘Lawfare’:  Exploitation of Courts in the Arab-Israeli Conflict
– October 8, 2008

NGO Monitor’s Executive Director is, Prof. Gerald Steinberg.

Members of NGO Monitor’s International Advisory Board include Elie Wiesel, Prof Alan Dershowitz, Sir Martin Gilbert and R. James Woolsey
 

For further information, comment or interviews contact Naftali Balanson

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