Western Women Emerge from Israel with Prison Video

(SALEM / SWANSEA) - It surprises me sometimes how many friends and fellow writers of mine have been in jail and prison, in of all places... Israel. Of course it is easy, very easy, for people wishing to visit Palestine, to end up in an Israeli jail.

This is what 13 British nationals learned when they set out for Palestine, arriving in Israel on the 8th July 2011. The group was immediately detained at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Fiona Williams and D Murphy are among the many who emerged from Givon Prison; only they brought out video, very unusual. In the spirit of Iara Lee and the Mavi Marmara video, it is very revealing.

The rules are simple; if you want to avoid trouble you get someone in Israel to say you are visiting them. You tell authorities there are no politics accompanying your visit; and when you finally make it through the maze, you do the opposite of what you said you were going to to... you go to Palestine.

For honest people; those who simply want to document what truth brings in Israel, the odds of getting to Palestine are very low.

It's interesting that this recognized country; Palestine, exists but has no airports. Israel makes every person destined for Palestine fly into Israel first, then they put them in jail for the stated intention of planning to visit Palestine.

Try to imagine that any time you wanted to visit Northern Ireland, you had to first fly into Heathrow and undergo an excruciating, suspicion-toned screening by England's people handlers. Then, you have to lie and switch your plans later. This is the how it is for those seeking to visit Palestine and also disclose their real motive to authorities.

Write, call or email us:
Undercurrents
Old Exchange
Pier Street
Swansea, SA1 1RY
UK

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Pw April 1, 2012 11:16 am (Pacific time)

They seem like they have some agenda to cause trouble?

Editor: Did you not understand the first point about this? Israel jails people who say they want to travel to Palestine. Are you pro-apartheid Israel?

Dan April 1, 2012 1:24 am (Pacific time)

Dear Fiona Williams and D Murphy,

I've watched your read the article, watched the video, and listend to your testimony, and I must say that it is quite unseeming. You put on light piano music to give the viewer an empathic feeling, and talk about how "honest people" cannot enter the West Bank. That seems outrageous to me. You neglect to make clear that you came with a large protestation-group, highly-televised, and chose to land in Israel, where your group leaders knew well beforehand that it would not be permitted.
Why did the group not land in Jordan?

There are many things that can be said over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it's complexaties. But the way you chose compell viewer to emphasize with a group of people who were arrested for organizing an un-authorized protest is unacceptable.

Dan

Editor: Dan, if I can speak for these ladies and my other friends participating in these actions: they did it to draw the world's attention to this massive problem that result of Israel's decision-making process. It will all happen again soon. These people have untold courage. And the production quality of this video is top-notch, because they are true and real, it really comes across. People imagine their mom, their sister, their daughter, in this position, and it reaches their heart. The goal friend, is to see Israel relax. Nobody questions that this is the case, I'll bet even you agree that Israel has far too much screening, far too little in the way of fair policy. People don't want to have to lie to visit Palestine.

brynababy April 1, 2012 12:26 am (Pacific time)

So where was this terrible treatment they speak of. They were trying to illegally enter an area from which terrorists have been operating. They were taken to an Israeli jail that appeared like a dormitory- clean and warm and well lit. There was no physical or emotional abuse. What a crock this is!

Editor: A crock? Locking up foreign nationals and denying them water? Punishing people for trying to visit a country? Typical Zionist bigotry, same attitude the Nazi's had toward the Jews in the 30's; Are you a young child? I suspect you are, all children should clarify that they are indeed, that. Otherwise I might state something over the line, you know?

brynababy April 1, 2012 12:12 am (Pacific time)

There is no Country of Palestine !

Editor: Again, parents need to control their children, particularly those who are still infants, this is not a forum for kids!

[Return to Top]