IDF twice raids Ramallah office of pro-Palestinian group

You, Sir, are a liar. There is absolutely no record of the ISM involvement in acts of terrorism. If there were such proof, its members would be in prison. I challenge you to dispute the ISM declaration: "The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principle."

raiding the ISM offices in Ramallah is like raiding Martin Luther King' jr and his foll- owers. What stupidity! I couldn't believe it when I heard this come over my radio. Time someone visited Oz and ask for a brain.. Dutch

In 2005, Scott Parkin, a U.S. citizen and political activist, violated the terms of his tourist visa while visiting Australia by participating in political activities. He was arrested by ASIO, the Australian version of the CIA/Mossad, imprisoned and after a while deported back to the USA. Bridgette Chappell wasn't simply yelling at a political rally. She has been participating with demonstrators and rioters who have been attacking the Israeli armed forces in violent confrontations, in cooperation with some of the most vile Islamo-fascist terrorist groups. If she gets deported promptly, she will get off lightly. Perhaps she should be held in prison for a while, like the American who got arrested in Australia for lesser crimes. Doubtless, the usual loonies will protest that Israel shouldn't be allowed to do what every other normal country does. Happens every time...

It would be interesting to note the response of the Spanish government to a group of Israelis and others calling themselves peace activists who conducted violent demonstrations in favour of Basque separatists (who have a far stronger claim than most Palestinians). It would also be interesting to note the reactions of the international community to the Spanish government's conceivably less than gentle response to such provocations.

I'm sure ISM activists are super happy. The story of the IDF arresting them in the middle of Ramallah was on TV channels all around the world. They could not have dreamed of a better public relations strategy than the one the IDF is offering them for free.

Does any of this remind you of Soviet treatment of refuseniks?

Israel's efforts to shutdown the nonviolent activist group (any moderate Israeli will tell you that ISM is not remotely terrorist in any way)will instead raise the groups' profile exponentially. Donations from the West will surely pour in. This is all good for the ISM. For the IDF, these hamhanded actions are a failure that will only garner more bad publicity for Israel and help to delegitimatize the state's already dubious goals in the West Bank.

This is sick. Imagine if one of these soldiers was injured during such a raid, what would the army tell their family? Theat they were sent in Ramallah to arrest some pro-peace hippies?

Perhaps we can get Joe Lieberman to include the IDF and Israel in his announcement today about sanctions based on humans rights violations in Iran. The American people have become much more aware of the vicious nature of the "state" of Israel.

u.s media never shows these stories. thanks haaretz

You can't have democracy in Israel while the occupied terrirories are treated as a police state. That's why democracy in ISrael is dying

The Catholic Church had an "Index of Prohibited Books." Can anyone tell me where I can find Israel official list of "Prohibited Words." I don't want my tee shirt ripped from my back because it contains the word "Shatilla."

and this is just one of many similar israeli actions that reflects a trend that increasingly appears to be an unwritten policy of the current israeli government. one can only hope that it's being closely monitored by international community.

i think you're full of it. because just to begin with, IF it was, it would NOT be able to operate ANYWHERE that israel has jurisdiction.

Funny, Netanyahu won't even refer to the West Bank as the West Bank. Him and his administration pointedly refer to it as "Judea and Samaria". And he has the nerve to lecture the Arabs about "recognizing Israel as a Jewish state"?? They are trying their best to silence the Palestinians and anyone who dare mentions the "P" word.

I guess Israel and Iran aren't so different afterall.

Quite the contraband haul. Tee shirts and bracelets saying 'Palestine.' Oops, I've gone and used the P word too. I guess the only non-Palestinians that can visit Ramallah have to swear eternal enmity to the Palestinian cause? WOW! I thought Ramallah had Palestinian Area A designation. Somebody tell Abbas & Fayyad to run for the hills. They could be arrested any moment now for pro-Palestinianism.

Really? Its a wonder it isn't banned in all the European countries where it flourishes, if it supports terrorism. Unfortunately for Israel, most of its supporters are middle class Europeans and Americans.Suppression of support for the Palestinians by Israel will only increase the support.Please note the IDF raiding offices in Ramallah. Peace really isn't on the table is it?

What a shameful organization the IDF has become raiding the democratic process and the right to protest against the wall and the government's use of the iron wall to impose its iron will on the Palestinian people. Some democracy the American government is upholding in the ME with US tax dollars. I am so ashamed and say, Not in Our Name. Dutch

This same group aided the British terrorists who attacked the Mike's Place pub in Tel Aviv killing 3 civilians and wounding 50. The group officially supports Palestinian terrorism.

The ISM has been actively involved in helping terrorist movement and hiding them. They are openly supporting terrorism. Another FACT ignored in Israel.

Everything in Palestine is pro Palestine