April 6, 2003

We worshiped in the Latin Church this morning, once again being welcomed back both officially and informally.

Being marked as an international observer doesn’t offer a whole lot of protection.

There was more news about the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in Jenin. After yesterday afternoon's incident, in the early evening an American activist had part of his face sheered off by tank fire. He and another ISMer were preparing to investigate reports of gunfire some blocks away. According to his companion, the two of them were alone on the quiet deserted street, identifiable in their fluorescent vests, when approaching tanks opened fire on them, from the machine gun on top of the tank. (IDF rules state clearly that warning shots should not be fired from mounted artillery). The Israeli army reported that the activists were caught in the middle of a gunfight. Brian, a 24 year-old from New Mexico, was hit by direct fire, taking part of his face off. His companion picked it up (yeah - it's gruesome stuff) and held it on with a t-shirt. Assistance was not offered by the military. An ambulance took him to Jenin hospital, where they waited for an hour for permission from the Israeli military to transfer him to Afula (in Israel), then to Haifa (via helicopter). Miraculously, he suffered no brain damage, only severe loss of blood and the need for massive reconstructive surgery. Still horrific, and more than a bit worrisome, following so closely on the heels of the Israeli bulldozing death of Rachel Corrie in Gaza.