An anti-Israel group in Australia is seeking new recruits to serve as foreign activists in supporting the Palestinian Authority's “resistance” against Israel. "Resistance" is a Palestinian buzz word for violent acts such as rockthrowing.
According to a posting on the Australians for Palestine web site, the International Women's Peace Service is recruiting volunteers to “support and witness” the alleged non-violent PA “resistance against Israel's illegal occupation and apartheid practices.”
Applicants who are accepted to the program undergo a nine-day training process and are expected to commit themselves to serve a minimum of one three-month term in “Palestine,” following which they “will support [the organization's] work outside of Palestine.”
In addition, the organization advises that participants “should be able to commit to further terms in Palestine of one to three months for a three-year period.” Short-term volunteers were welcome to apply for a “minimum” of three weeks.
David Baker, spokesman for the Prime Minster's Office, told Israel National News in an Internet interview, “Any invective-filled and inflammatory rhetoric that can ignite tensions should be avoided. Israel is eager to enter an era of peace, and we strive for a robust peace process in which matters of conflict can be fully addressed.”
However, it was not clear whether in fact the Israeli government was even aware of the existence of the organization, or that such an anti-Israel activist recruitment campaign was taking place in Australia. When asked whether the State of Israel knew of the group or its recruitment program, Baker responded, “While I do appreciate your forwarding this information to me, you would have to ask other government offices whether they were aware of it.”