INTRO  David Hall, part of the Industrial act NCC (their CD Seven Steps of Nervousness, released on the now defunct Gashed! label, remains one of my all-time favorites) is participating in Freedom Summer 2002 in Palestine, organized by the activist group the International Solidarity Movement, or ISM. View their website at www.palsolidarity.org/ The International Solidarity Movement is a Palestinian-led movement of Palestinian and International activists working to raise awareness of the struggle for Palestinian freedom and an end to Israeli occupation.

They utilize nonviolent, direct-action methods of resistance to confront and challenge illegal Israeli occupation forces and policies. They recognize the Palestinian right to resist Israeli violence and occupation via legitimate armed struggle, yet believe that nonviolence can be a powerful weapon in fighting oppression. They state they are committed to the principles of nonviolent resistance. The demonstration calls for people of the world to come to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to stand side by side, hand in hand, with the Palestinian people in their demand to be free. The campaign is a 54-day (one day for each year of occupation) initiative in which Palestinian and foreign civilians will engage in nonviolent, direct action against the forces of occupation and their illegal policies. Internationals will work with Palestinians to rebuild homes, replant uprooted trees, tear down Roadblocks, challenge checkpoints and closure, and more. Actions will take place simultaneously throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

Internationals will be hosted in local communities and with local families. I will be corresponding with David during his experience in the Middle East, to discover what the hell is going on. Check the interviews section often to read the latest from our very our war correspondent, and use the form on this page to email me questions for David. Our thoughts and prayers will be with him

<--letter

Koren,

I am in Jerusalem. I typed this a while ago,...2 weeks i think, and i've been in the west bank...I will try and send this out but its rough. Sorry I'm sending it so late, It's been crazy, and I'll tell you all about it.

#1 when did you first become aware of the situation in Palestine? high school, college?

I had heard of the situation as far back as I can remember. There were clips of talk on TV and new waves of Arab and Jewish jokes in school. But within the last two years, in my 1st year of college, I have actively ben doing research on this particular situation.

#2 who inspired you to take such a bold action? ie family, friends, political or activist groups, tv?

I don't know if it's a question of who inspired me, but more a question of what. I've wasted many years of my life running the race to acquire more things, to be cool, to desperately try to be something I'm not, and somehow find purpose within that construct. Of course there are many sources that have guided me to become active, but finally identifying with myself and defining what is important for me now defines my behavior. I now believe that my privilege as an American comes with responsibility. As I acquired more knowledge, reading from multiple sources and speaking with many people, this decision to come to Palestine felt more right than anything else in my life.

#3 do you consider yourself to follow any particular religion?

No.

#4 do you affiliate with a particular political party in the US?

I am a registered Green...

#5 do you believe that US media coverage of the war between Israel and Palestine is biased?

The media in the US is biased. I don't think there is any question about that. Israel has one of the most advanced propaganda systems and they are working strong with US media corporations to conceal the truth about the conflict. If the American population was to become suddenly aware of the actual imbalance of this struggle, the racism, and the massively disproportionate body count, the United States government may feel pressured to cut it's annual aid of six billion dollars to Israel.(all citizen tax money) But this can only happen if people care, and if democracy is actually still in effect here in the United States.

#6 how do you imagine you'll be treated in Palestine (as an American citizen)?

If you're an American, and you pass 10 military check points and finally get into a West Bank city full of tanks, under curfew, the people will get the idea that your not a tourist. I have heard that the hospitality of the Palestinian people is unmatched, I hope to be welcomed.

#7 are you taking personal belongings with you? what? are you bringing CDs? which ones?

I'm bringing 2 outfits, extra socks, sandals, a Zionist tour guide, a camera, sneakers, medical supplies. It's terribly hard to get into Israel if you have anything mentioning the word Arab, Palestine, freedom etc. So I traveled really light, they go through everything. I wish I brought a Discman, but I didn't. If had a choice I'd have brought a mix of VNV. VNV has helped me overcome the thoughts that go through my head about getting shot by soldiers, even if I don't understand what he is talking about, it boosts moral. Also, Mozart.

#8 have you ever been out of the country before? where? was your view of the US altered by the experience upon your return?

I've been to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Costa Rica (no it wasn't some tropical adventure trip(tm), I was studying primates), and Nicaragua. When I returned to Brooklyn after being in the jungles of Costa Rica for two months, and seeing the poverty of Nicaragua, I hit the bottle. A few e-mails, some credit card bills, and fast food places were all it took, then the starving children and that world of possibilities I had seen became like some long dream fading. But Yes, it did alter my perception of the US when I returned, and my role here as a citizen. The images didn't fade away, completely. I saw how privaleged I was and how pointless so much of the behavior Americans take part in is. It aided me in thinking in new ways.

Jerusalem is beautiful, I leave for the West Bank on the 14th, to the City of Ramallah with 40 other internationals. We will march in the streets during curfew, and try and recruit any Palestinians to join. It is very difficult to shoot into a croud when there are internationals inside.

Send me more questions, or I'll toss you updates, it's hard because most lines have been destroyed by israeli bulldozers (built in wyoming)

ok, i must go and sleep

Dave Hall

"if you have questions for david, or would like to contact him, feel free to send them to me at punketta@punketta.com and i will forward your messages".