The Human Shields Movement

International Solidary Movement

Jan 10, 2001

International Solidarity Movement founded, an organisation calling for volunteers to non-violently protest against the Israeli army in Gaza.

Volunteer Call

Dec 10, 2002

Kenneth O’Keefe calls for international volunteers to place themselves in sites critical to infrastructure in Iraq, in order to deter the Iraq war.

Volunteers arrive

Jan 13, 2003

Estimated 200 – 500 from across the world people travel to Iraq before the planned US invasion in March.

Rachel Corrie

Mar 10, 2003

Rachel Corrie, an American student volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement is killed by a bulldozer while protesting in Gaza

Volunteers begin to leave

Mar 21, 2003

Volunteers leave Iraq after the war begins.

Tom Hurndall

Apr 10, 2003

Tom HurndallTom Hurndall, who had been a human shield in Iraq, travels to Gaza with the International Solidarity Movement and is shot. He goes into a coma and dies 9 months later.

Brian Avery

Apr 10, 2003

Brian Avery is shot in the face while volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement, he survives but is left with permanent injuries.

Vittorio Arrigoni

Apr 10, 2011

Vittorio Arrigoni, credited as reviving the International Solidarity Movement, is kidnapped and killed by a militant group operating in Gaza.