[GushShalom] 'Not Again' testimony of an ISMer + what you can do

[Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc)]

GUSH SHALOM - pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033 - http://www.gush-shalom.org/

[We decided not to wait with sending you the moving words of ISM activist Joe Smith who was with Tom Hurndall 
when it happened yesterday, and had been with Rachel Corrie a few weeks ago. His report is followed by an email 
from Huwaida Arraf with concrete suggestions what you can do, wherever you are. We should not allow the shooting 
of manifestly non-violent human shield activists also to become routine. Our not stopping to talk about them, not 
stopping to ask questions, demand an independent investigation, and a clarification about shooting regulations is 
part of the struggle against the occupation for which extraordinary youngsters take the ultimate risk.
This is the place to add what we forgot to mention earlier: Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and  Palestinian 
Center for Human Rights-Gaza  are jointly petitioning the Supreme Court today, Sunday April 13, at 11:30 am about 
the use of the flachette weapon.] 


"Not again": 
Eyewitness Joe Smith writes about the killing of Tom Hurndall
The Electronic Intifada, 12 April 2003
		
Please not again. We heard the shooting -- we always hear shooting -- but repeated sniper fire like that is especially 
disturbing. I heard the shot, I heard a scream, and turned to see the fluorescent orange lump lying on the ground, 
blood coming from his head. I moved back and forth a bit not knowing what to do, and within seconds my medical 
training clicked in. The Palestinians lifted him to move him from the area. "Set him down!" 
Alice, the other medic, and I screamed. 

Finally we got him down on the pavement, I had my safety pads out and was trying to stop the bleedi
ng. One 
doesn't consider rubber gloves at times like these. Blood was poring out of the back of his head. I
 couldn't get 
it to stop. Seconds later he was lifted again and pulled into a taxi. "Wait for the ambulance!" We 
tried to 
convince them, but they were hysterical, and he was torn away from us and rushed to the hospital in
 a brown 
Mercedes. The ambulance arrived on the scene minutes later, but it was too late, he was gone. 

I looked down to find the bloody safety pad still in my hand. I had a brief instinct to throw it do
wn, like one 
does any trash on these streets, but was unable to let go of it. I held onto it while in the taxi o
n the way to the 
hospital, and still clutched it as I slouched on the ground against the stone walls surrounding his
 operation room.

He was dead for me from the moment he was set on the ground for us to administer treatment. Alice t
ried to do 
mouth to mouth, and I thought it pointless. He was dead for me when he was pulled from our hands an
d put 
into the car. Even when he was wheeled out of Al-Najjar Hospital and taken to Europa Hospital in Kh
an 
Younis, he was still not alive in my mind. 

Now he's on life support in Saroka Hospital in B'ersheva, brain dead but still breathing. No matter
 how 
constantly his heart still beats, I continue to speak of him in the past. It took me awhile to acce
pt that Rachel 
was actually gone, and I think my mind is compensating for that loss by preparing itself for anothe
r in advance.
	
His name was Thomas Hurndall and he was from London. When he arrived, we already had an English guy
 
named Tom so he chose the nickname "Tab", and that is how I knew him. Tab was incredibly passionate
 about 
protecting people when and where they needed it most. We were in Yibna, a Rafah refugee camp right 
on the 
Egyptian border, because he was aware of the constant Israeli gunfire to which this neighbourhood i
s victim 
every day. 

He'd learned about the two brothers who'd been shot the previous morning, and was dedicated to main
taining a 
presence there. He said that he'd gotten extremely angry and determined after listening to gunfire 
while lying in 
his bed at the doctor's house Rachel died protecting. He wanted to be in the most dangerous areas, 
not out of 
some martyr complex to die but simply because he knew that that is where internationals are most ne
eded. 

He was prepared to stay in the house most targeted, and helped us hang large banners on it. He was 
all about 
placing a tent in an area in front of a mosque, used every night by an Israeli tank for terrorizing
 the 
neighborhood with gunfire. We were on our way to pitch the tent the day he was shot, but had abando
ned the 
project due to the Palestinians' discomfort with the level of gunfire.

The tank was already in its parking spot when we arrived, and was shooting into the area. A nearby 
security 
tower had also joined in, and was firing the scary sniper shots. We were positioned behind a large 
roadblock 
deciding what to do, and Laura had gone forward with some Palestinians to take a look. She was wear
ing our 
trademarked florescent orange jacket with reflective stripes, and was clearly an international. 

Despite, or possibly because of this they shot around her. She said that shots were being fired on 
both sides of 
her, making it rather difficult for her to move. She had just rejoined us, when the sniper fire fro
m the tower 
turned onto the roadblock behind which we were standing. There were children playing on the roadblo
ck, as 
they often do, and many scattered due to the gunfire. 

There was one boy, however, that Tab noticed was too frightened to move. Instinctually, he quickly 
removed 
him from the area, as he observed shots land around the small and fragile innocent. After successfu
lly 
evacuating him, he was about to leave when he noticed two small girls down in front of the roadbloc
k, right in 
the line of fire. 

He was going to help them escape when the Israeli soldier in the tower took his aim, and fired a la
rge calibre 
sniper bullet directly into Tab's head. He was in full view of the tower, and like Laura was wearin
g the high 
visibility gear. Our embassies had been informed of our presence in the area, and they had informed
 the Israeli 
military.

They knew who he was, they knew what he was, and they knew what he was doing. They knew that he was
 
no threat to their physical safety, but they likely understood the international attention his pres
ence was 
attracting, and knew how our human shield work had prevented them from adequately terrorizing the 
Palestinian civilians and demolishing their homes. 

In this way, he was a "threat" to them, a threat to the image of Israel it portrays to the world. H
e was a threat to 
the validity of the occupation, and a threat to their unquestioned notion of these people as nothin
g but inhuman 
terrorists. The sniper couldn't tolerate this kind of challenge, and took lethal measures to end it
. We'll only have 
to see how such an act will backfire.

I didn't know Tab all that well. He'd only been here a week, but planned to stay the full month of 
his visa. He'd 
just spent a week doing refugee work in Jordan, before which he'd spent two weeks in Iraq doing hum
an shield 
and relief work. He was a brilliant photographer, and was passionate about documenting the immense 
human 
rights violations being perpetrated on the Arab people. 

It was his first trip to the Middle East, but his previous three weeks had made him rather well-ver
sed in this 
type of work. He was mature and laid back about it all, but incredibly passionate and determined. I
 was quite 
surprised to learn that he was only 21 years old, born the same year as I.

I had spent a few hours that day taking him around Rafah to take pictures. We were trying to compil
e photo 
images of the city and our presence here for documentation and publicity purposes. The children her
e love a 
camera, and would crowd us endlessly. This bothers and overwhelms most people, but Tab thought it a
 little 
funny, and would chuckle at the rambunctious children shouting "What's you're name" and "How are yo
u". He 
mentioned that he'd learned some tricks already, like not pulling out his camera until the absolute
 last minute.

We had even had a conversation that day about the dangers of this place, and how none of us really 
understood them or we wouldn't be here. I said that I still felt confident with my international st
atus even after 
the recent violence against us. I believed that it was not a calculated targeting of internationals
, just an increased 
amount of recklessness and hostility brought on by the increased effectiveness of our work. I said 
I wouldn't 
really be intimidated until they openly target an obvious international. Not until they very intent
ionally kill one of 
us would I feel the terror experienced by Palestinians. Fate works in mysterious ways.

I don't know if I can stay here now. I believe that internationals need to stay here, and that the 
Israeli military 
should not learn that they can intimidate ISM with such violence. I believe that it only shows how 
effective our 
work has become, and that now is the time to stay and establish an even stronger presence. 

But I only have so much energy left. Rachel's death took a lot out of me, but also inspired me to s
tay longer and 
throw myself into the Olympia Sister City project and nonviolent direct action against the Israeli 
occupation of 
Rafah. I had planned to stay through the end of May to accomplish these goals, and knew that I had 
at least 
that left in me. But this incident has aged me quickly, and makes me question if I can now handle t
his place and 
this type of work.

Who knows what's going to happen to him now. It seems likely that his family will have to make that
 dreaded 
decision about whether or not to take him off life support. I have to leave here if he dies, I can'
t do the whole 
shahid thing again. I also cannot participate in another military investigation. There were plenty 
of Palestinian 
and international witnesses willing to cooperate. 

I'll continue media and legal work regarding Rachel's death, but I can't handle two. I just can't. 
Learning my 
limits has been a crucial part of my personal development here. I have learned to say "no", and I'm
 saying it 
now. This statement may be used for any media or legal processes, but that's it, khallas!

What a privilege it is for me to be able to say that. How lucky I am that I can just leave when I'v
e had enough, 
and catalogue the event in my mental register of intense experiences. I can only leave on the condi
tion that I 
return with a longer-term commitment, as my solidarity with these amazing people has only just begu
n.

[Joe Smith is an American activist from Kansas City, Missouri, based with the International Solidar
ity 
Movement in Rafah, occupied Gaza. He was a friend of Rachel Corrie's and was with her when she was 
crushed by an Israeli bulldozer on 16 March 2003.]

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article1360.shtml


------- Forwarded message follows -------
From: "Huwaida Arraf" <huwaidaa at yahoo.com> 
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 10:32 PM

Friends,

Our friend and colleague Tom Hurndall lies comatose - "clinically dead" in Saroka Hospital; Brian
Avery has just undergone reconstructive surgery in his face, and will have to undergo a series of
reconstructive surgeries over the next few months to repair his face from the bullet that
shattered it; Rachel Corrie died almost instantly after being crushed by a gigantic bulldozer,
but her memory lives on in all those working for peace and human rights.

Three serious injuries and deaths in less than four weeks to nonviolent peace activists.  Three 
individuals, clearly visible and identifiable, posing no threat to the security of Israeli
soldiers in their tanks, bulldozers and military guard towers  The kind of violence that we have
been working to prevent and end, is now being directed at us.  This is the kind of violence that
anyone living or residing even temporarily in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is daily
witness to.  We know that we are operating in a racist system, not only within the Israeli
military but also in the international community.  We know that Palestinians that are beaten,
randomly arrested and shot down are not paid attention to.  Israeli soldiers have no problem
disregarding Palestinian human rights and the international community has shown zero willingness
to hold Israel accountable for the well-being of the Palestinian people and for violations of
their basic rights. (...)

People from around the world have given of their hearts and minds to be with us, knowing the
danger involved yet believing in the justness of the cause.  The international volunteers of the
International Solidarity Movement count on their governments and on you not to stay silent when
unarmed civilians are shot down - we are counting on you now..

We have no plans to abandon our efforts and we renew our call for you to join us if you can.  If
you can't please consider one or more of the following actions to support our work:

1) In the United States the Corrie family is asking for an independent US investigation into the
killing of their daughter Rachel.  So far the United States Government has refused to conduct
this investigation, stating that they are confident that Israel will conduct a thorough
investigation.  Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 111, which
calls for a US investigation.  However, unless this resolution gets more co-sponsors and
widespread support, it will not go anywhere.  Though the resolution does not condemn or otherwise
address Israel's policy of home demolitions nor the Israeli occupation and US support for, the
ISM hopes that a prompt and fair investigation into the circumstances of Rachel's killing will
open the doors for these larger oppressive policies that Rachel was killed fighting, can be
addressed.  Please help us get H.Con.Res.111 passed by contacting your congressional
representative and asking them to support this.  For more informatio

2) Please contact your State Departments or Foreign Ministries and ask that action be taken to
stop Israel's targeting of innocent, unarmed civilians, whether Palestinian or international
peace activists.  Call on your foreign ministries to raise this issue with the Israeli Ambassador
in your country.  Rachel or Tom could have also been French, Belgian, Italian, Canadian, Swedish,
South African, Japanese, or one of dozens of other nationalities that have stood with and
protected Palestinians. The contact information for the US Department of State and the British
Foreign Office who have an extra responsibility since their citizens have been seriously injured
or killed from these policies and their failure to hold Israel accountable, are listed below.

If you are Israeli, contact members of Knesset and demand an end to the violence of occupation. 
http://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/telephones_eng.asp

United Kingdom

Human Rights Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH 

By telephone: +44(0)207 008 3000 or use the following link:

 http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=10070293905

45 You can also access contact information for your Member of Parliament at:
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/alms.htm#s 


United States

US Department of State
Bureau of Near East Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Tel: 202-647-5150 
Tel: 202-736-4995  ask for Kim Richter
secretary at state.gov 
askpublicaffairs at state.gov or use the following link:

http://contact-us.state.gov/ask_form_cat/ask_form_foreign.html 

3) The Christian Peacemaker Teams, partners in the International Solidarity Movement, have called
on their supporters to wear bright orange vest for this week.  Please consider wearing bright
orange, and reflective vests if you can, to your work, school, and places of worship and inform
others of the deliberate targeting by the Israeli military of innocent civilians and unarmed
peace activists.

We thank you for being with us, for your words of condolence, your encouragement and your
support.

In solidarity & struggle,
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
info at palsolidarity.org 
www.palsolidarity.org  

=====================

12 April, 2003

Statement on the Shooting of Tom Hurndall 
ISM team in Rafah

photos available at www.palsolidarity.org  
for video footage, please contact the Reuters News Agency

On 11 April 2003, 10 members of the International Solidarity Movement in Rafah, Gaza Strip,
Palestine, were planning to set up a tent in an area that an Israeli tank often uses to shoot
into the houses and streets of a refugee camp called Yibna.  Several Palestinian community
members had initiated the project, gathered the supplies, and accompanied us to the area at
around 4:30PM.  When we arrived to the area, the tank was already there and had been shooting
into the street.  A nearby Israeli security tower had also joined in and was firing repeated,
single, sniper shots. 

An American international was accompanied by two Palestinians to go closer and get a better look
at the area, and was wearing our trademarked fluorescent orange jacket with reflective stripes. 
The tank and tower fired live rounds at the ground and buildings on both sides of her, making her
movement difficult.  She quickly returned to the rest of the group, that was positioned behind a
large roadblock, but in view of the security tower.  We made a consensus decision to call off the
action, and return the next day as the Palestinians were uncomfortable with the gunfire.

At about 4:45PM, Shots began to hit the buildings and street around us, and we became concerned
for some children who were playing on the roadblock near us.  Many had scattered, but a few were
left.  Thomas Hurndall, a 21 year old activist from London, UK noticed that one small boy was
still on the mound and under fire.  He quickly lifted the boy and moved him behind the roadblock.
Tom was about to leave, when he noticed two small girls still in front of the roadblock and in
the line of fire. 

He was moving to help them when an Israeli soldier in the tower, about 300 meters in front of him
shot a high calibre sniper bullet directly into his head. He was wearing an orange fluorescent
jacket with reflective stripes, and was in full body view of the tower.  The British Embassy had
been informed of his presence, who had in turn informed the Israeli Military.

Palestinians lifted his body and moved him to the pavement about 5 meters behind the roadblock. 
Two trained medics administered first-responder medical treatment, and used safety pads to try
and stop the bleeding. Palestinians then lifted him into a nearby taxi and rushed him to Al N'gar
Hospital.  On the way, they took care to try and stop the bleeding.

At around 5:15PM, he was transferred in an ambulance to Europa Hospital in Khanunis.  It takes
about 30 minutes for an ambulance to get there as there is an Israeli road block on the main
road.  Without this obstruction it would only take 7 minutes.

After much negotiation with the British Embassy and the Israeli military, Tom was taken to a
nearby Israeli settlement from which he was taken by helicopter to Saroka Hospital in B'er Sheva,
Israel.  He is currently on full life support and in a head cast.  Several of his friends have
joined his bedside, and his parents are on the way.

END

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT 
www.palsolidarity.org 

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time
a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against
injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different
centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest
walls of oppression and resistance." Robert F. Kennedy

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