ISRAEL CONCERNED OVER FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS
JERUSALEM — Israel has quietly cracked down on foreign volunteers
deemed to help the Palestinian insurgency.
Officials said authorities have increased surveillance of the
International Solidarity Movement. The group has been active in leading
violent Palestinian protests against the Israeli security wall along the
West Bank as well as serving as human shields for insurgents sought by
Israel.
"The ISM is a pro-Palestinian organization composed of foreign nationals
that undertakes various actions -- some of which are illegal and violent --
and seeks to disrupt the actions of the security forces throughout Judea and
Samaria," a government statement said.
[On Thursday, Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing
in Tel Aviv in which 30 people were injured. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz
said the bombing was financed by Iran and planned by Syria.]
Israel has sought to expel ISM members charged with entering the country
under false pretenses. Officials said the foreigners have sought refuge with
Palestinian insurgency cells to avoid Israeli arrests. ISM has denied
illegal activity.
One ISM member, identified as Andrew MacDonald, was expelled by Israel
in 2003 after he was found in the home of a Palestinian suicide bomber in
the West Bank. Officials said MacDonald changed his name and in August 2005
reentered Israel on a new passport.
A government statement said MacDonald was arrested in November 2005 in
the Jewish quarter of Hebron after he attacked an Israeli security officer.
On Nov. 25, he was again detained in the Hebron area.
In late 2005, MacDonald foiled an initial Israeli deportation effort by
threatening to disrupt his airline flight to Britain. On Jan. 13, he was
finally expelled from Israel.
Officials said ISM has provided information on Israeli troop movement to
Palestinian insurgents.
They said the group has worked with Palestinians to foment unrest and
violate curfews.
ISM was also said to have been in contact with Hamas suicide bombers. In
March 2003, two British nationals visited ISM offices in Gaza City on their
way to Israel. The following day, the Britons blew themselves in a Tel Aviv
pub, killing three people and injuring 50.
"It seems that the organization is being exploited -- whether wittingly
or unwittingly -- for foreign and dangerous purposes." Tel Aviv District
Court Judge Drora Pilpel wrote in a decision in September 2004.
