British activist shot in head by Israeli troops

Catholic New Times, May 4, 2003

LONDON -- According to NoLogo.com. a British peace activist aligned with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) was shot in the head on April 11 as he tried to help a Palestinian woman and her children flee Israeli gunfire.

Tom Hurndall was shot as he moved towards the family in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. He was wearing a fluoroscent orange vest, and witnesses say that there had been no exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Palestinian gunmen that day.

According to doctors at Rafah Hospital, he is believed to have suffered brain damage.

Last month (CNT April 6,2003) a U.S. activist, Rachel Corrie, 23, was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer. She too was wearing an orange vest when she knelt in front of the vehicle, but it kept going. The Israeli army is still investigating.

In early April, Brian Avery, 24, another activist from New Mexico, was shot in the face by Israeli soldiers in Jenin.

A spokesman for ISM--the group which had trained Mr. Hurndall in nonviolent resistance--alleged that the Israeli army had embarked on a campaign against its activists.

"It now seems like it is open season on international peace activists," he said. "They just want us out so they can get on with their business without international observation."

Mr. Hurndall, 21, from Tufnell Park, London, was studying photography at Manchester Metropolitan University. At the end of February he went to Iraq to join the human shields in Baghdad but left before the war.

The ISM has activists operating all over the West Bank and Gaza who come to the region from around the world to try to act as a buffer between the Israeli army and settlers and Palestinians. Their activities range from protecting the olive harvest to escorting children to school. They often work with Israeli human rights groups.

Their presence is a source of annoyance to the Israeli army and they are often arrested and beaten up.