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About ISM
Nonviolence. Justice. Freedom.
About Us
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Learn how to volunteer as an ISMer in Palestine
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Joining ISM
Step
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If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a part of the work on the ground in Palestine, “ahlan wa sahlan” (Arabic for “welcome”).
If you’re a past volunteer looking to return to Palestine with ISM,
apply here instead
.
Right now, ISM has a presence in the West Bank and we need more people on the ground as many villages are being threatened with violence and erasure. It is really critical work. Currently, our focus is on providing a solidarity presence to deter attacks from settlers or soldiers. We work to deter and document threats, attacks, and other human rights abuses. We work collaboratively, share decision-making power, are committed to anti-oppression principles, and are nonviolent.
If you’re interested in joining us, we would love to learn more about you. Before moving forward with an application, we ask that you take a look around our website to understand what ISM does. You can find other resources
here
.
If you wish to move forward, it’s important for us to know a bit about you, your experiences, and why you would like to join ISM in Palestine to see if we are a good fit for each other.
Please answer the questions in this form thoughtfully and fully. We are trying to get to know you to sense if our work and your goals are a good fit. Towards this end, we request a
minimum
of 3-5 sentences for the questions that are required (red *) and have large response fields. Your application may be rejected or you may be asked for further elaboration if your answers are very short/incomplete.
If language is an obstacle, you’re welcome to use a translation app (such as Deepl or Google Translate) or indicate in your application you’d prefer to send your responses securely as a video or voice recording.
You will surely have many questions for us, too. Some will be answered in this application. Many others will be answered during training and in the materials you will receive. If there is something you feel is important to know before filling out the application, we can be reached at
[email protected]
.
If you do not hear back from us within two weeks of submitting your application, please email us.
Click “Next” to proceed with applying to be an ISM volunteer.
ISM Volunteer Application
Have you volunteered with ISM in the past and are looking to return? Use the
returning volunteers application
instead.
Nickname (at least 3 characters)
(Required)
Name you will use in all communications with us and in Palestine. While not required, we recommend choosing a name that is not your legal name for security reasons. When deciding on a name, keep in mind that people from all over the world will have to remember and pronounce this name. Please be thoughtful about not appropriating names from other targeted identity groups. For example, please do not adopt a specifically Arab or Muslim name if you are not from either identity group. If you prefer to use your regular name (first name only), you can.
Email
(Required)
For your security, we recommend you use an encrypted email with an address that does not include or suggest your legal name.
Enter Email
Confirm Email
Location
(Required)
Your nationality (or legal status) might impact your ability to travel/cross the border and the work on the ground in Palestine. Please (1) list all passports you hold and (2) let us know which passport you intend to travel with.
(Required)
When are you available to join us? (If you don't know yet, that's ok.)
For approximately how long can you join us?
Why do you want to join ISM?
(Required)
Please answer the questions in this form thoughtfully and fully. We are trying to get to know you to sense if our work and your goals are a good fit. Towards this end, we request a
minimum
of 3-5 sentences per required, long-form question (like this one). Your application may be rejected or you may be asked for further elaboration if your answers are very short/incomplete.
How did you hear about ISM?
(Required)
This work is not for everyone, and there are lots of other ways to support Palestinian liberation. Please read the information below to assess if ISM is a good fit for you.
This work requires a very high level of self-reliance, groundedness, flexibility, humility, patience, receptiveness to feedback, tolerance for uncertainty, and readiness to work with other activists of different backgrounds in a messy and constantly fluctuating environment.
(Required)
I understand.
ISM is a Palestinian-led organization opposed to all forms of oppression, including based on race, ethnicity, class, place of origin, gender identity, sexuality, physical ability, physical appearance, age, and religion.
(Required)
I understand.
ISM's work is strictly nonviolent. This is a tactic rather than an ideology, but it must pervade all of our work. We understand that expectations of nonviolence can feel complicated in a world that often expects nonviolence from the targets but not perpetrators of violence and injustice. In ISM, the expectation of nonviolence comes from Palestinians as a strategic necessity in order to be effective and to avoid bringing further harm to Palestinians.
(Required)
I understand.
The situation is difficult, tense, and dangerous. There is no safety under occupation. Israel's occupation is characterized by arbitrary violence. Though internationals, especially white internationals, are generally safer than Palestinians, ISM volunteers have been injured and three volunteers have been killed by Israel since 2003 — most recently, volunteer Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, whose life was stolen by an Israeli sniper on Sept 6, 2024. Volunteers will never be pressured to do anything that doesn't feel right to them, nor will they be alone in facing risks while volunteering on the ground. ISM has a strong culture of consent and care — for ourselves and each other. As a volunteer with ISM, you will have to assess your own risk level and be able to communicate it to your co-volunteers.
(Required)
I understand.
Before going to Palestine with ISM, volunteers are required to be vetted and to attend both online orientation and training, in that order. Once in Palestine, volunteers must attend a two-day on-the-ground training before volunteering. The dates of scheduled trainings will be shared after vetting.
(Required)
I understand.
The minimum time commitment to volunteer with ISM is 3 weeks including travel and training time, except during the olive harvest, when 2 weeks is acceptable. If this is a major obstacle for you, please let us know during the next step of the process and we can see if any accommodation is possible.
(Required)
I understand.
There are times when an individual may not be a good match for ISM and may be asked to discontinue the application process or to leave the group on the ground at any time.
(Required)
I understand.
Volunteers are expected to cover their own flights and living expenses, including 30 NIS/day for housing (first month only), ~10 NIS/day for food, and ~80 NIS/month for phone service. Housing fees are waived after the first month. Many volunteers fundraise to cover their trips.
(Required)
I understand.
ISM will disqualify applications using generative AI (such as ChatGPT or Claude) to fill out any part of this form. If language is an obstacle, you're welcome to use a translation app (such as Deepl or Google Translate) or indicate in your application you’d prefer to send your responses securely as a video or voice recording.
(Required)
I understand
Do you have any questions on the information above?
ISM Volunteer Application
Please answer the questions below thoughtfully and fully. We are trying to get to know you to see if our work and your goals are a good fit. Towards this end, we request a
minimum
of 3-5 sentences for the questions that are required and have large response fields. Your application may be rejected or you may be asked for further elaboration if your answers are very short/incomplete.
The International Solidarity Movement takes leadership from Palestinians. What does following Palestinian leadership mean to you? What does NOT following Palestinian leadership look like?
(Required)
Please respond with a minimum of 3-5 sentences.
What do you think zionism is? Are you antizionist?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
Can you share about a time that you worked to fight injustice? What about in a small group or a community of activists?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
What does non-violence mean to you? In addition, tell us about a time you took part in non-violent activism, if you have.
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
How do you normally deal with conflict within a group? Describe a recent conflict and how you approached it. If possible focus on a time you made a mistake and learned something from the conflict.
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
What is your experience with quick decision-making in groups, and responding to immediate emergencies?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
What risks do you think are involved in this work for yourself and for others?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
This work is sensitive and the stakes can be high. The decisions you make will also have consequences for other people. How do you expect to behave?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
Do you have experience with police/soldiers/or other kinds of state repression? How do you expect you would handle conflict initiated by Israeli police, military and settlers?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
Power dynamics exist in every social context. Each of us navigate the world with varying degrees of power and access to privilege due to our race, country of origin, mother tongue, class, religion, sexuality, gender, or disability. These privileges, if unacknowledged, can cause immense harm in our pursuit of solidarity. How would you navigate uneven power dynamics and privilege with fellow international volunteers who come from different backgrounds and identities?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
There are also power dynamics that exist between internationals and Palestinians living under occupation. Internationals are free to leave at any given moment, are treated differently by the occupation, and are subject to civilian law with far more rights than Palestinians living under occupation. How would you navigate uneven power dynamics and privilege on the ground in Palestine with Palestinians living there?
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences
Have you served as a member of any military or paramilitary force, police officer, private security officer, or similar role? Do you have connections to any military or paramilitary force, or law enforcement? Have you had any experience in government jobs (for example, elected official, policy maker, department worker, or embassy worker)? If so, describe it, tell us when it was, and share your reflections. If you have had none, please write "none."
(Required)
Minimum 3-5 sentences if the answer is yes
If you are part of a larger initiative or an organized group of volunteers planning to travel together, please indicate that here.
Have you been to any part of Palestine before and did you work with any groups? If so, which one(s)?
Please share with us any medical conditions, including mental health conditions, that might impact your work in Palestine or in stressful, physical situations. If needed, we’ll contact you to figure out if and how your needs might be accommodated, or to give you more information about the conditions in which we work so you can make an informed decision. Also, if you'd rather discuss it through a call rather than here by text, please let us know.
If you are already on the Signal application and have a username, please share it with us here. Signal usernames end in a dot + number.
If you are unfamiliar with Signal, no problem. Download Signal when you can to begin to learn. Signal provides encrypted messaging and is an important tool on the ground.
If needed, do you have someone either in ISM or local community organizing spaces who can vouch for you? If not, is there someone else that can speak to your character and capacity for this work? If possible, please list a name (or pseudonym/nickname) and how we could contact them.
Also, please let them know your ISM nickname to avoid confusion.
If you'd like to share your pronouns, please do so below:
Is there anything else you would like to share?
After clicking Submit below, a copy of your responses will be emailed to you automatically. If you do not receive a copy of your responses within 24 hours, please email us.
We look forward to reviewing your application!
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