[note from Michele: when i called the Consulate I was referred to a woman named Mirav, at (323)852-5540, and this is where I left a message on her voice mail, with all the details of the situation, names, etc.; however I would suggest calling the consulate straight so as to generate more awareness.....]

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from Jake's site: http://www.straybulletins.com/LMB/weblog/


INTERNATIONALS BRUTALIZED AND ARRESTED
Just got this urgent email from Garrick:

Hello all,

Below is a press release about 2 Palestinians and 9 internationals arrested today near Nablus. 4 of the internationals are from the International Solidarity Movement, the organization I'm working with. The number for the Israeli consulate in LA is:

(323) 852-5500

(Sorry, don't have the numbers for other locations but I got this one by entering "Los Angeles Israeli Consulate" in a search engine so I'm sure the same could be done elsewhere.)

I would suggest people call and demand that the two Palestinians and 9 internationals be released immediately. It's looking like they are likely to be deported very quickly so if you can make the call today please do so. As always feel free to call if you want more info.

Garrick

International Solidarity Movement
August 7, 2002

For immediate release

INTERNATIONALS BRUTALIZED AND ARRESTED BY MILITARY
FOLLOWING NON-VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION

[NABLUS] Internationals and Palestinians have been
brutalized and arrested following a non-violent
protest at the Huwara checkpoint near Nablus.

Adam Shapiro (USA) and an unknown Palestinian man
were being held in a jeep on a settler road. Half of the
demonstration group decided to stay and block the
jeep from leaving with the innocent civilians. Half
decided to march back peacefully chanting and singing.

Those that stayed where attacked by settlers and
settler police. The peace activists were thrown into
thorn bushes and Huwaida Arraf (USA) was thrown so
hard she hit her head and was left unconscious for a
short time.

The group, which retreated, was assured by the
military that they would be allowed to retreat but
then were attacked by the military and arrests were
made. At this time the soldiers focused in on
individuals and began beating and taking people from
the group. They have taken Palestinians Ahmad Omar
Abdel Aziz 19 and Walid Ata Baker 37 a glass factory
worker.

French nationals Pierre Coulon, Anne-Cecele Alligne,
Benoit Granet, Phillipe Armaug, Satuima
Armaug-Khimoum, Americans Adam Shapiro, Javier
Cortez, and Charles Williams, and Irish national Salah Afifi
have been taken to the Ariel settlement police
station.

For more information in Nablus contact:

Huwaida (USA) 067 473 308
Susan (USA) 055 829 680
Jon (USA) 058 781 646 / 067 429 663
Sal (UK) 067 486 159
Alissandro (ITALY) 050 265 114
Thomas Sommer (FRANCE) 050 314 886