[Ramallah]
Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, today welcomed
international peace campaigners after they staged a dramatic protest
against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.
Over 70 International Solidarity Movement volunteers from Britain,
the United States and continental Europe lay down in front of
Israeli tanks stationed near President Arafat’s HQ in Ramallah.
President Arafat, who greeted each activist
personally, thanked the group for their support. “We are
in need of your help,” he added.
Spokeswoman for the International Solidarity
Movement Val Phillips said “we are here today to support
the Palestinian legitimate right to resist the illegal and brutal
occupation and to draw attention to the failure of the international
community to intervene against Israeli aggression.”
The demonstration marks the start of a
series of protests taking place over the next two weeks, including
dismantling one of the Israeli roadblocks, which prevent Palestinians
traveling to work, school or hospital, and working with Palestinian
youth on the front line in Hebron.
For more information, contact Huwaida Arraf
at 052-642-709.
Note to editors:
*
Digital photos of protest and meeting with President Arafat available.
The
International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is comprised of local
Palestinian and foreign civilians working to raise awareness of
the Palestinian plight for freedom and an end to Israeli military
occupation. We call on Israel to immediately implement UN Resolutions
and abide by international law. We urge the United Nations and
our respective governments to take decisive action to ensure Israel’s
compliance therewith.
