Israel Matzav

ISM recruiting flotilla passengers

The International Solidarity Movement - the terror organization that brought you Rachel Corrie - is recruiting 'passive resisters' to take part in another 'flotilla' to Gaza this spring. This came to me by email from someone who got it from a Muslim mailing list.

Nonviolent Resistor Application for 2011 Gaza Freedom Flotilla

One and possibly both of two large passenger vessels in the 2011 Gaza Freedom Flotilla are requesting trained and experienced nonviolent resistance volunteers to be among the more than one thousand passengers on board (total). The International Solidarity Movement - Northern California has agreed to undertake the role of collecting and reviewing applications for this purpose. The Flotilla is predicted to sail as early as the end of May, 2011, but postponement is always a possibility.

The objective of having such persons on board is to be as effective as possible in the expected encounters with Israeli forces and while being held in custody. There is no substitute for the presence of persons who are trained and experienced, and for whom such an experience is familiar.

We therefore invite interested individuals to complete the on-line application. It is expected that the selection process will favor applicants who have been through a training program and have participated in nonviolent resistance in Palestine, and especially those who have been arrested and deported by Israeli forces. However, other credentials will be considered. It is unlikely that inexperienced volunteers will be accepted. [Man, it's so tough to get your first gig as a 'nonviolent resistor' these days, isn't it? CiJ]

The final decision about how many and whom to accept will be made by the ship organizing committees based on space considerations and other factors, probably within a month or less of sailing. However, we expect that the number will be a minimum of thirty and possibly twice that number. Those who are accepted will need to do their own fundraising for expenses. However, ISM-Northern California offers partial sponsorships for those who wish to be considered. [People with jobs need not apply. CiJ]

There is no restriction on the nationality of the applicants, and in fact, a mix of nationalities is preferred and will permit a larger number of applicants to participate. This application process is also by no means the only one by which interested persons can and will participate. Many of the participating boats have their own recruiting processes that will attract similar candidates, and the leadership of the Flotilla includes such individuals.

Those who are selected as passengers will be subject to the strategic guidelines of the entire Flotilla, as decided by the Steering Committee. However, additional strategies of this group (and other willing participants) may include greater nonviolent resistance after capture, such as refusing deportation until a set of conditions is met, extreme nonviolent noncooperation during captivity, etc. These strategies are subject to discussion and agreement by both the participants and the
Flotilla Steering Committee. It is expected that the participants will gather at the embarkation point prior to sailing to further discuss and agree by consensus on such tactics.

Further questions regarding recruitment and selection may be directed to gazaflotilla2011@norcalism.org . Thanks you for your participation in the struggle for Palestinian rights.

To apply, please visit: http://norcalism.org/flotilla.html
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PLEASE FORWARD THIS UPDATE WIDELY

WEBSITE: http://palsolidarity.org
YOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/user/ISMPalestine
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/ismpalestine
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Solidarity-Movement/56674479144

What could go wrong? The picture at the top is a previous 'non-violent' activity by ISM members.

Labels: flotilla, International Solidarity Movement

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:47 AM