Joining ISM Step 1 of 3 33% 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”). 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 protective 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. 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 ismtraining@riseup.net. Click “Next” to proceed with applying to be an ISM volunteer. At any time, you can click “Save for Later” to receive a link to come back to finish your application within 30 days. ISM Volunteer ApplicationNickname(Required)Please choose a name that is *not* your legal name, which you will use in communications with us and in Palestine. Keep in mind that people from all over the world will have to remember and pronounce this name.Email(Required)Email address should not contain your legal name. Enter Email Confirm Email Location(Required)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.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 is two weeks following on-the-ground training. We suggest at least a three-week stay to best integrate into the work, help with relationship-building, and ensure consistency across our volunteer group, but two weeks is acceptable if necessary. Travel days and the two-day training should be calculated in addition to the two-week minimum.(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, an estimated 40-60 NIS/day for food and transport, and 60 NIS/month for phone service. Housing fees are waived after the first month. Many volunteers fundraise to cover their trips and are successful.(Required) I understand.Do you have any questions on the information above? ISM Volunteer ApplicationPlease 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. We know this application may take some time. At any point, you can click “Save for Later” to receive a link to come back to finish your application within 30 days.Can you share about a time that you worked to fight injustice? What about in a small group or a community of activists?(Required)Tell us about a time you took part in nonviolent activism. If you haven't taken part in non-violent activism, what does non-violence mean to you?(Required)How do you normally deal with conflict within a group? If possible, describe a recent conflict and how you approached it.(Required)What is your experience with quick decision-making in groups, and responding to immediate emergencies?(Required)How do you normally handle conflict with outside aggressors? How do you expect you will approach aggression and conflict initiated by Israeli police, military and settlers?(Required)What identities are important to you and how do they shape your experience?(Required)In all situations there are power relations at play. We see examples of sexism, racism, classism, queerphobia, ableism etc, in many daily interactions. How do you see yourself within these power dynamics both as an international in Palestine and amongst other ISM volunteers? (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?Are there any medical conditions you’d like to share that might impact your work? How can we accommodate your specific needs?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 requested, 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?We will be in touch if this would be helpful. Yes Other Is there anything else you would like to share?EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ
