The work begins

Thanks for all the messages of support, there have been too many to reply to so please accept my thanks en masse.

It has been remiss of me not to thank the SW FBU Regional Committee for their support and to the Regional Officials who will be covering for me over the next few weeks, thanks comrades.
Last night was a nightmare regarding the hostel I stayed in, the noise was constant and try as Imight I couldnt get to sleep until around 4! I was up at 8.30 and off to Ramallah for the start of the mandatory training for two days. Our Palestinian contact turned up wearing a Celtic shirt with his name on the back...classic, I issued the "Hands off Coyle" warning and no more was said.

The journey from Jerusalem to Ramallah was uneventful although the crossing from East Jerusalem into the Occupied territories was frightening due to the amount of military hardware on display and the state of the illegal apartheid wall. Where is the International outrage at a structure that has been condemned by International Law and the UN. I dont see many countries tabling motions at the UN calling for military action against Israel for this wall that seprates families from families, farmers from their land and kids from their schools,the sheer scale of it is an afront to humanity.

There are 6 of us on the training this weekend. 1 German, 1 Italian, 1 American (who is 71), a Dane, an Austrian and me. It has really shown the true international support for the Palestinians and makes for interesting discussions during breaks.

The training itself is intense and covers subjects as cultural issues, ISM structures, weapons recognition, self care and many other headings. The main tutor is a 21 year old american who has been here over a year and has an understanding of the issues facing "first timers" (We used to call them "sprogs" in the mob) and has been superb. I will try to get her to our next Union school but Torquay may seem a bit tame after 12 months here! Ism is a non heirachical organisation but obviously the first timers do look to the "long termers" for assistance and guidance during the first few days, no doubt there will be more on this later in the week.

This will continue tomorrow when we will be given a regional update and given the locations where we will be working for the next few days.

The olive harvest starts in a couple of weeks and more internationals are expected then as there are less than twenty here at the moment.

Impressions are that ISM is a professional looking organisation, with clear aims and objectives although staffed by volunteers. I am sure that this will be a fantastic opportunity to show solidarity with the Palestinian people who have been illegally occupied for over 60 years. We have been give some stats which will take a while to sink in and I may blog some of them later.

Before I go a negative and a positive: The negative? Burnley got thrashed 5-0 by Spurs. The positive? You can smoke in the hotel!

Take care all and thanks for following! I am not sure where I will be after tomorrow so it may be a couple of days before my next post....then again it may not be