International Solidarity Movement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, July 22nd, an Israeli judge decided today in administrative court to deport Maria Nikiforou, a 34 year old human rights worker, without a hearing. The security has informed Maria that they will put her on the next available flight, tomorrow morning to Olympia, Greece. Maria’s case is indicative of a pattern by the Israeli government of preventing international human rights workers from aiding the Palestinian people, and denying international activists the right to due process in court.

Maria’s lawyers, Leah Tsemel and Yoni Lerman, filed an appeal against her denial of entry, but the judge has refused … Continue reading

Maria Nikiforou with a child from Bil’in in 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, July 18, 2006, Maria Nikiforou will celebrate her thirty-fourth birthday in isolation in the Ben Gurion detention center. Israeli security put Maria in isolated detention on July 14th and is denying her entry, saying that she is a security threat to Israel. Yesterday the authorities took away her cell phone, even though it is allowed for detainees to have their cell phones in this facility.

She is the second international in the last two months to have been denied entry to Israel … Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Maria Nikiforou, a Greek human rights worker was detained while attempting to enter Israel on the morning of July 14th, and has been kept in isolation since that evening.

The police have told Maria that she has been placed in isolation as punishment for insulting an officer and refusing to surrender her phone. According to Maria, this “insult” resulting in her isolation was a request to speak with her lawyer. In addition, Maria is being kept without a television, while other prisoners are allowed access. At approximately 19:00, Maria was allowed to charge her phone and … Continue reading

UPDATE: Since the afternoon on July 14th, Maria Nikiforou has been held in isolation at the airport security dentention center. Despite the fact that detainees are allowed to keep their phones in this facility, she is not allowed to charge her phone. The state is expected to respond to her appeal tomorrow.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greek human rights activist, Maria Nikiforou, was denied entry into Israel early this morning, July 14th. She was put in detention and was facing forced expulsion from the country. Her lawyers, Leah Tsmel and Yoni Lerman, have filed an appeal against this expulsion and the judge has … Continue reading

by Paul Larudee

The accusers who denied me entry to Israel on the basis of secret evidence and who continue to persecute the International Solidarity Movement and Palestinian non-violent resistance may think of the us as troublemakers. We are. They think that such a role is at odds with peacemaking. It is not.

There is a big difference between causing trouble and causing harm, and it is in the nature of non-violent resistance to cause trouble in order to prevent harm, not to inflict it. Non-violent resistance is purposefully confrontational, but it applies the principles of respect, compassion and … Continue reading