On Monday, two members of the Irish Peace Alliance - Venus and Natasha - climbed a tree in the grounds of the Israeli Embassy, raised the Palestinian flag, and demanded to speak to the Israeli ambassador. Both are friends of Irish aid workers Caoimhe Butterly and Mary Kelly who are under siege in Ramallah and Bethlehem. Caoimhe is in Arafat's building where they are now confined to three rooms ( see  http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=1404 )

In a statement ( http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=1444), Venus and Natasha accuse the Israeli government of ignoring both the Geneva Convention and the Oslo Accord that protects the lives of the innocent in Palestine. They want an assurance from the ambassador that the lives of their friends and all the other international observers are safe and that no further harm will come to them. They also want an explanation for the shooting of the aidworkers, international journalists, observers, and innocent Palestinian civilians.

Update Saturday: Venus finally came down from the tree after six days - she is still very worried about her friends. Full report to come...

Update 10.00am Friday: More Garda harassment in the early hours of this morning. An Post has delivered letters to the tree. Venus has been there for five days now - she needs support... full report and latest photos at  http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=1579

Update 1.00pm Wednesday: Two women are still up the trees - Natasha had to go but she has been replaced by Tracey. Venus has now been up the tree for two days and nights. The 'bad cops' came back as promised - support needed on the ground to prevent Garda harassment... full report at  http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=1497

Update 11.00pm Tuesday: Venus and Natasha are now in seperate trees. Venus reported that the 'bad cop' guards had left and the 'good cop' ones had arrived for an all-night party, though the bad will be back at 6am. Large groups of friends and supporters have been arriving all evening with chat and equipment, including a letter of support (see  http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=1475 ) from the Palestinian Consul General. Venus and Natasha need people to visit them through the night.

Photos from Tuesday evening
 http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=1483