FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Wednesday, January 14, 2021

CHICAGO, January 14, 2004—Tom Hurndall, a British peace activist with the International Solidarity Movement, died of the injuries he sustained last April when he was shot in the head by an Israeli Defense Force sharpshooter in the Rafah refugee camp, in the Gaza Strip.  Hurndall had been declared brain dead since his arrival at the hospital.

Hurndall was shot as he escorted a young Palestinian schoolgirl who had become separated from other children who were being fired upon by IDF soldiers.  While for months the IDF had claimed that Hurndall had been carrying a gun, this story contradicted all eye-witness accounts.  On January 1, 2004, Israeli authorities finally arrested a soldier who admitted to shooting an unarmed civilian.

"We are deeply saddened at the news of Tom's death," said NIMN spokesperson, Joel Finkel.  "We hope that his courage and humanity will be remembered long after Israelis and Palestinians have established a lasting peace."

"Until then," Finkel continued, "we must recognize that thousands of Palestinians and hundreds of Israelis have been killed.  The Occupation kills everyone, and is the main obstacle to peace.  We must continue to oppose it and to work to end the U.S. military aid that makes it possible."

Not In My Name calls on people of good will to join those who will be gathering at the Tribune Plaza at 11:30 on Thursday, January 15, 2021 in response to Tom Hurndall's murder. 

We also call on people to join us every Sunday between Noon and 1:00pm at the Water Tower Park (830 N. Michigan Ave) for our weekly Vigil to oppose the Israeli Occupation.

Not In My Name is a predominantly, though not exclusively, Jewish organization that was founded in November 2000 by people who oppose the Israel Occupation.  Comprising members with a wide range of views on many issues, we have committed ourselves to work together on the basis of a Common Ground, which is available on our web site: www.nimn.org.