[JENIN] Over 40 international activists have placed themselves in life threatening situations to halt Israeli war crimes being carried out right now in Jenin.

Currently there are three situations:

1. Internationally acclaimed author Starhawk and over a dozen other activists are trying to stop the demolition of several homes near Wadi Birkin. The international peace activists have been tear gassed repeatedly and are gravely concerned about the two Apache helicopters flying overhead firing sporadically. Caiomhe Butterly, Irish, approached a nearby house where she could see approximately 25 men being held and stoned by Israeli soldiers. The area commander began to stone her as well causing injuries to her legs and arms. Soldiers dragged her away. The women and children from the homes have been taken hostage by the Israeli forces to an unknown location.

2. The Israeli military has contacted the mayor of Jenin informing him of their intentions to blow up the Nadi Youth and Cultural Center. Internationals with ISM and the French Civil Mission for the Protection of the Palestinian People are planning to enter the center as well as surround it in a human chain.
3. Two tanks and a jeep entered the city center and began firing on Palestinian civilians this morning. Due to local resistance the Israeli army pulled out but are currently en route to the city center again with reinforcements. Activists are in the city center and plan to protect the Palestinian civilians by acting as human shields.

Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, collective punishments are a war crime. Article 33 of the Fourth Convention states: “No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed,” and “collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.”

International activists and Palestinian civilians call on the members of the press to expose these vicious acts of violence and outrageous war crimes

Please contact internationals in Jenin immediately:

Caiomhe (Ireland) 972 (0) 55 975 374

Starhawk (USA) 972 (0) 56 435 018

Lisa (USA) Carol (UK), Nancy (UK), Fiona (Canadian) 972 (0) 67 387 892

For more information on the International Solidarity Movement contact:

Huwaida 972 (0) 67 473 308 ISM Office 972 (0) 2 626 4844