Frequently Asked Questions
- What, exactly, is the International Solidarity Movement?
- How many people have joined the ISM?
- I’m Jewish. Will the ISM welcome me?
- What is the ISM position on suicide bombing?
- Is the ISM affiliated with any political party?
- Is there an age limit to people joining the ISM?
- Will I be safe while I am there?
- Are there programs all year, or just in the summer?
- Does the ISM fund any of the people who would like to come?
- How much will it cost once I’m there?
- How long can I stay once I get there?
- If I’m deported or detained, what are my chances of getting back into the occupied territories?
- I have heard that Israeli border-control staff treat people very badly. What can I expect?
- Replies to tough questions
What, exactly, is the International Solidarity Movement?
We are a group of human rights advocates concerned about Israeli human rights abuses of Palestinians, the continued occupation and annexation of Palestinian land and violations of international law. The movement is Palestinian-led, and international and Israeli peace activists work to support their nonviolent direct action against the occupation.
The International Solidarity Movement has been nominated twice for a Nobel Peace Prize, because of our activities in bearing witness and in helping Palestinians tell their stories to the world.
How many people have joined the ISM?
Since its beginning in 2001, more than 3000 people from all over the world have volunteered to work with the ISM. Many have come to the occupied territories several times to volunteer their time to work with Palestinians.
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I’m Jewish. Will the ISM welcome me?
Conservative estimates are that 15-20% of volunteers are Jewish. Many Jewish organizations, both within and outside Israel, support the aims and efforts of the ISM. Two of ISM’s founders, Neta Golan (Israeli) and Adam Shapiro (USA) are Jewish. The Palestinians are famous for their hospitality and welcome anyone who comes in peace to work with them on projects and actions.
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What is the ISM position on suicide bombings?
Attacks on innocent civilians, be they Israeli or Palestinian, are forbidden under international law. The ISM seeks nothing more for Israelis and Palestinians than implementing international law, and we oppose any action of any kind against civilians, including suicide bombings.
We also oppose the brutal bombs from Israeli fighter planes dropped on a civilian-occupied apartment building, firing a tank shell down a crowded city street, or placing dynamite in a family home.
All of these acts against civilians are repulsive.
As long as the occupation continues and the Palestinian people are denied freedom, human rights, and self-determination, there will be those who will use violence against the underlying, systematic and foundational violence of the occupation.
The Israeli government has long worked to crush peaceful resistance, making it very difficult for Palestinians to act nonviolently on a large scale.
The vast majority of Palestinians are involved in some form of nonviolent resistance to the occupation, whether it is the steadfastness of remaining on their land or more active nonviolent resistance to occupation. Unrecognised or marginalized by the mainstream Western media, Palestinians regularly take part in nonviolent demonstrations, developing new and innovative forms of nonviolent resistance. They invite and actively encourage the participation of
international and Israeli supporters.
Is the ISM affiliated with any political party?
No. The ISM is not affiliated with any political party. The movement is open to all individuals and groups who choose nonviolent direct-action and other forms of unarmed resistance as a method for confronting and challenging the Israeli occupation. We work with grassroots community organizations, town and village councils, NGOs and Palestinian political parties.
The ISM is not funded by any Palestinian political party, nor by the Palestinian Authority. Funds are raised from private citizens in communities around the world, primarily in the US and Europe. If you want to support the work ISM does, please consider a financial donation.
Is there an age limit for people joining ISM?
Our volunteers have ranged in age from 18 to 80, and our average age for volunteers is around 34. We accept all people who are interested in working nonviolently to protest the occupation of Palestine, although 18 is the youngest we will accept.
Will I be safe while I am there?
There is an extensive, compulsory two-day training program to ensure everyone follows ISM rules while engaging in nonviolent actions. During this program, Palestinian, Israeli and International trainers emphasize ways to remain safe. Like any conflict zone, there is always a danger to the individuals participating in nonviolent projects.
Does the ISM fund any of the people who would like to come?
No, although there are many ISM organizations around the world who can help. If you are interested in coming, please email us, and we will connect you to the organizations within your country who can help.
How much will it cost once I get there?
It is quite inexpensive to come and work with the ISM. We have places for people to stay in many of the towns and villages for a minimum donation every day, and the food is very reasonable. Several people have reported that they can exist quite well on $8.00-$10.00 a day.
How long can I stay once I get there?
Israel grants visitors a three month visitor visa. They can extend that another three months, and some volunteers have stayed as long as a year with extensions on the visa.
If I’m deported or detained, what are my chances of getting back into the occupied territories?
Chances are very limited once you are deported. Some people have come back and have challenged the system of deportation just because we are human rights watchers. Others have spent time in detention to make a point that we have every right to return. Right now, it’s unlikely that you will get back in if you are deported; more likely if you are just detained.
I have heard that Israeli border-control staff treat people very badly. What can I expect?
Israeli border control staff are renowned for their sometimes awful treatment of visitors. Some are subjected to long searches and seemingly irrelevant lines of questioning. On the other hand, many visitors pass through quickly with no problems.
If this is your first visit to the occupied territories, you will probably be fine by just saying that you are a tourist who has come to visit the holy land. If you have been before, you already know the questions that are asked of you and how to answer them.
We’d like to remind everyone that, in contrast to lies spread about us on the internet, Israeli courts have repeated ruled that membership of ISM is not reason enough to deport anyone from the country. ISM is not a secret or illegal organization. However, in practise, legalities often do not to stop the security apparatus from denying visitors access or deporting them, often even before a lawyer has time to file the paperwork.
For more information read the AIC’s Guide.
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Replies to tough questions: ‘Isn’t the ISM just anti-semetic?’ ‘Aren’t you just a front for terrorists?’ etc.
No. Please see this page for detailed replies to various false accusations against us: Replies to Tough Questions.
Do you have a question that you feel should be included here? If so please use the email form below to submit it for review.
