American Peace Activist Ann Petter Detained 14 Days by Israel

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
July 6, 2004
For Immediate Release

U.S. Peace Activist Remains in Detention After Hearing

State of Israel refuses to allow defense to view “secret evidence”

Contact: Huwaida +970-59 260 990 or +972-54-747-3308

Ady +972-66 431 972


[Tel Aviv] American peace activist Ann Petter who has been detained for 14 days at
Ben Gurion airport, appeared today before Judge Oded Mudrik at Tel Aviv District
Court. Petter was charged with being a security threat to the State of Israel. Judge
Mudrik postponed the decision on Petter’s case until Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 11:30
a.m. in Tel Aviv District Court. Petter is a 44-year old graphic designer from New
York who planned to attend a nonviolent peace march organized by the International
Solidarity Movement (ISM) in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Judge Mudrik
refused to release Petter from detention while the decision is pending.



Petter arrived in Israel with a video camera; she intended to document the work of
Palestinian, Israeli, and international peace activists, one of whom is 79-year old
Holocaust survivor, Hedy Epstein. Petter’s attorneys, Yael Berda and Shamai
Leibovitz, stated that with these intentions, Petter does not pose a security threat
to the State of Israel as alleged by the prosecution, but rather poses only a public
relations threat. Furthermore, the defense asserted that people must not be denied
entry into Israel on the basis of their political beliefs. People who are suspected
of having any affiliation with Palestinians are routinely interrogated at Ben Gurion
airport regarding their political opinions and affiliations.



The prosecution sought to submit secret evidence on behalf of the State of Israel
detailing Petter’s participation in activities that allegedly prove her affiliation
with terrorist organizations. Petter’s attorneys objected to the submission of such
evidence based on the fact that it could not be reviewed by the defendant or her
attorneys.



In her personal statement to the court, Petter stated: “I hope you will reconsider
the decision to not allow me into the country. I believe it is important for me to
be here because of the close relationship between Israel and America. I am a member
of many peace organizations in the United States. I believe the International
Solidarity Movement prevents violence and perpetuates non-violence along the
principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. ISM volunteers also serve as
witnesses with their eyes and cameras. I think it is an important role for civilians
to play.”

Please call, write and fax ASAP to the following: Ask the US government to protest
the way that American citizens are being treated by America's "closest aly". Let
the Israeli government know that you are concerned that Israel is using a person's
political beliefs determine whether or not he/she can enter the country. This is a
violation of the basic principles of democracy.


U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv
tel. +972-3-6197575
Email: amctelaviv [at] state.gov

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
tel. 202-647-4000

Interior Minister Avraham Poraz
(fax: +972-2-5666376)(fax: 972-2-6701628)(fax: 972-2-6701585)
Email: sar [at] moin.gov.il

Enav Golomb
Justice Ministry
State Attorney's Office
Fax: 011-972-2-646-6655

Silvan Shalom
Foreign Minister
Fax: 011-972-2-530-3367
Email: sar [at] mfa.gov.il

Url for nearest Israeli Embassy:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel.htm

If you'd like to try to speak to Ann:
Detention facility where she is being held: tel. +972-3-9795461