CPTnet
October 30, 2002
URGENT ACTION: Support CPTer Asking for Review of "Entry Denied"

CPTer Kathy Kern (Rochester NY), turned back at the airport in Tel Aviv a
week ago, is asking Israeli authorities to review that decision. Kern was
the third CPTer to be denied entry in four months. (See October 24 CPTnet
release, "CPTNET EDITOR DENIED ENTRY TO ISRAEL.") She faxed a letter
asking for an appointment with Israeli embassy officials to Raphael Barak,
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. He called
her within hours, was polite and friendly, and said he would make some
inquiries and get back to her within a week.

We believe there will be support for this appeal from US State Department
staff in Washington, DC and from US Consular staff in Israel. We urgently
request CPT supporters to send faxes WITHIN THE NEXT THREE DAYSto their
nearest Israeli Consulate (addresses below). Be polite, and make the
following points:

1. You are aware of this case of denied entry.
2. You believe it was a mistake for Israel to deny entry to Kathy Kern.
3. You hope that when Israeli Embassy officials meet with Kern they will
grant her permission to enter Israel.
4. You are concerned about what it means if Israel is denying entry to
people like Kathy Kern.
5. You will be following the case.

In her letter to the Israeli Embassy Kern wrote:
   "Given that Christian Peacemaker Teams and I are absolutely committed to
nonviolence, I am certain that we do not represent a security risk to the
state of Israel. I believe that we actually enhance Israel's security, by
connecting the Palestinians we work among with Israelis who care about their
human rights. . . . .
   . . . "It is in the best interests of the Israeli public that
internationals trained in nonviolent theory and practice live among
Palestinians in the territories and support Palestinian grassroots
nonviolent resistance to the Occupation. It is in the best interests of
the Israeli public for nonviolent activists to intervene when they see
settlers and soldiers brutalizing Palestinians, because these interventions
help decrease the feelings of helplessness and rage that can be channeled
into violent resistance.

   "If Palestinians believe their goal to end the Occupation can be
accomplished nonviolently, there will be many fewer dead Israelis. And fewer
dead Israelis and Palestinians is something that my co-workers and I truly
yearn for."

We would appreciate a simple e-mail to csd [at] cpt [dot] org?Subject=Re:%20URGENT%20ACTION:%20Support%20CPTer%20Asking%20for%20Review%20of%20"Entry%20Denied"&In-Reply-To=<1036004482@mennolink> noting that you have
faxed an Israeli consulate in this regard.

Thank you,

Rich Meyer
Christian Peacemaker Teams
Campaign for Secure Dwellings
Phone/Fax 574-642-3920
csd [at] cpt [dot] org?Subject=Re:%20URGENT%20ACTION:%20Support%20CPTer%20Asking%20for%20Review%20of%20"Entry%20Denied"&In-Reply-To=<1036004482@mennolink>

ADDRESSES
   Canada
Ottawa: Embassy of Israel, Phone 613-567-6450 Fax 613-237-8865

Montreal: Consulate General, Phone 514-940-8500 Fax 514-940-8555

Toronto: Consulate General, Phone 416-640-8500 Fax 416-640-8555

   USA

Israeli Embassy, Washington DC, phone 202-364-5500 fax 202-364-5607

New York Consulate Phone 212-499-5400 Fax 212-499-5555

Atlanta Consulate, Phone 404-487-6500 Fax 404-487-6555

Boston Consulate, Phone 617-535-0200 Fax 617-535-0255

Chicago Consulate, Phone 312-297-4800 fax 312-297-4855

Houston Consulate, Phone 713-627-3780 fax 713-627-0149

Los Angeles Consulate, Phone 323-852-5500 fax 323-852-5555

Miami Consulate, Phone 305-925-9400 fax 305-925-9455

Philadelphia Consulate, Phone 215-546-5556 fax 215-545-3986

San Francisco Consulate, Phone 415-844-7500 fax 415-844-7555

The Campaign for Secure Dwellings is a network of congregations in North
America working to end the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and
Gaza Strip. Christian Peacemaker Teams coordinates the Campaign for Secure
Dwellings in cooperation with the Palestinian Land Defense Committee, Rabbis
for Human Rights, and the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions.