Thank you for your interest in joining us in Palestine in the non-violent resistance to end the Israeli occupation. This is a big decision and commitment which is greatly appreciated. ISM asks for a commitment of three weeks minimum.
Please take some time to review the material posted in this section. It will, hopefully, answer most of your basic questions about working with the ISM. If there are questions that you have that are not answered, please contact us and we will be happy to answer them and put you in touch with the closest support group to you.
We look forward to seeing you in Palestine!
In solidarity,
ISM Palestine
Travel Information & Tips
Travel Issues
The Israeli authorities control all border entries to Palestine and visitors arriving at all these border points have been denied entry by the Israeli authorities in the past. However, visitors, including ISMers, have also been allowed to pass though all these border entries.
Though the Israeli authorities deny having a policy of denial of entry to all people associated with ISM, visitors who identify themselves as ISM volunteers to Israeli border staff are almost uniformly denied entry by Israeli authorities. Israeli authorities also often deny entry to other human rights activists, NGO staff and individuals expressing an interest in visiting Palestinians and the Occupied Territories or expressing sympathy for the Palestinian plight.
Visitors coming in solidarity with the Palestinian people and/or to support Palestinian non-violent resistance therefore face a difficult situation. If they admit the goals of their visit to Israeli border staff or to any association with ISM, they will most likely be denied entry. If they state other reasons for their visit, they can also be accused of lying to Israeli authorities and denied entry for this reason.
Faced with this dilemma, some activists choose not to talk about their activist goals and instead explain other reasons for their visit, such as visiting the Holy Land, visiting an Israeli friend, tourism, etc. These activists generally articulate a clear plan for their visit, including places they will stay within Israel and the names, addresses and phone numbers of people they will be visiting (not mentioning visits to Palestinians).
Click here for more detailed information about Travel Information & Tips
Training
All volunteers are required to attend a two day training program. You will get updates about the current situation. We will talk about work we’re doing at the moment and about how we do our media work. We also look at legal, security and safety issues in relation to the Israeli military, police and courts.
Trainings are every Wednesday and Thursday during official campaigns and on weeks when there are at least four people for it outside of campaigns. You must confirm your attendance by midday on Tuesday if you want to take part in training that week. To help cover costs for this we ask for 100NIS (Shekels).
When you get here contact either 059-2295-627, 059-5085-427 or 059-7152-428.
From outside Palestine the numbers are +972-592-295-627 or +972-595-085-427 or +972-597-152-428.
