If America Knew

If Americans Knew

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If Americans Knew Receives Death Threat

October 2, 2003

After debating on “How Can Peace Be Achieved Between Israelis and Palestinians?” Thursday, October 2nd, 2003, Alison Weir and If Americans Knew received a voicemail message saying: “On Monday, at 2 PM, you better not be in your office. Because me and my buddies, who were trained in the Israeli Army, will come and kill every single one of you...”

The caller went on to say, “This is not a joke. On Monday you better watch out. Don’t come to work. And close your organization or you’re going to die.”

The recipient of the threat, Alison Weir, speaks widely on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. She is executive director of If Americans Knew, a nonprofit organization known for providing information on the Middle East.

In last night’s debate she predicted that Israelis and Palestinians searching for a just peace would succeed when US tax money no longer goes to fuel Israeli militarists such as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The Kahan Commission—an independent, official Israeli commission of inquiry—found Sharon indirectly and personally responsible for the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacres in Lebaonon.

Weir said that she takes the caller seriously. “I am named an ‘enemy’ on a website of the Jewish Defense League, a group known for violent acts – most recently, police are investigating charges that its members planned to firebomb Congressman Darrell Issa’s office in southern California.”

Weir says that there has long been concerted efforts to intimidate people speaking out on this issue, but says, “We will not be silenced. I hope others will join us.”

Weir says that she plans to be in her office all day Monday, working to inform the public on this urgent issue.

Berkeley police are investigating the death threat.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.