ISM: Tom Hurndall Returns Home Today
ISM London | 29.05.2003 07:17
PRESS RELEASE
TOM HURNDALL TO RETURN TO UK TODAY
PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY 29TH MAY 2003
On 11th April Tom Hurndall - a young photographer observing and recording
the work of a peace group in Gaza and the activities of the Israeli army was
shot in the head by the Israeli army in the town of Rafah at the border
between Gaza and Egypt. He currently lies in a deep coma in hospital in
Saroka Hospital in Beer Sheva - Israel and has suffered severe brain damage
from which he is not expected to recover.
A campaign to raise the money to repatriate Tom (see www.tomhurndall.co.uk )
commenced just over a week ago and an overwhelming response from the public
has culminated in Tom flying back to London tomorrow afternoon 29th May
2003. He will be arriving at Heathrow Airport Terminal 1, via EL Al Air -
flight number LY315 at approximately 13.35. He will be transported by
special ambulance directly to the Intensive Care Unit at The Royal Free
Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3. Tom's mother Jocelyn, father
Anthony and brother (12 years) Freddie, will be accompanying him on the
plane and will travel separately to the Hospital where a press conference
will be held.
The press conference will present the families experiences and the results
of their own enquiries into the shooting of Tom. They will additionally
reveal the controversial details of an internal Israeli Defence Force report
presented to them at the British Embassy last week. They will discuss their
demands for a full independent judicial inquiry and the invitation that they
have received to meet with the Foreign Secretary - Jack Straw on their
return.
Press conference details:
The Marsden Room,
Ground Floor,
The Royal Free Hospital,
Pond Street,
Hampstead,
London,
NW3.
Time: 3.30pm
Please go to the Main Entrance of the Hospital where a media representative
will provide directions.
If you require any additional assistance such as arrangements for live feed
etc please contact Philipa Hutchins - Media Manager Royal Free Hospital on
0207 830 2963.
For private interviews with the family or any additional information please
contact Carl Arrindell - Family Spokesperson on Tel: 01634 831 975 or
Mobile: 07799 768 768. Email:
carrindell@btinternet.com
--
ISM London
Web:
http://www.ism-london.org
Forum: http://www.ism-london.org/forum
Email: mailto: contact@ism-london.org
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
www.palsolidarity.org
TOM HURNDALL TO RETURN TO UK TODAY
PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY 29TH MAY 2003
On 11th April Tom Hurndall - a young photographer observing and recording
the work of a peace group in Gaza and the activities of the Israeli army was
shot in the head by the Israeli army in the town of Rafah at the border
between Gaza and Egypt. He currently lies in a deep coma in hospital in
Saroka Hospital in Beer Sheva - Israel and has suffered severe brain damage
from which he is not expected to recover.
A campaign to raise the money to repatriate Tom (see www.tomhurndall.co.uk )
commenced just over a week ago and an overwhelming response from the public
has culminated in Tom flying back to London tomorrow afternoon 29th May
2003. He will be arriving at Heathrow Airport Terminal 1, via EL Al Air -
flight number LY315 at approximately 13.35. He will be transported by
special ambulance directly to the Intensive Care Unit at The Royal Free
Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3. Tom's mother Jocelyn, father
Anthony and brother (12 years) Freddie, will be accompanying him on the
plane and will travel separately to the Hospital where a press conference
will be held.
The press conference will present the families experiences and the results
of their own enquiries into the shooting of Tom. They will additionally
reveal the controversial details of an internal Israeli Defence Force report
presented to them at the British Embassy last week. They will discuss their
demands for a full independent judicial inquiry and the invitation that they
have received to meet with the Foreign Secretary - Jack Straw on their
return.
Press conference details:
The Marsden Room,
Ground Floor,
The Royal Free Hospital,
Pond Street,
Hampstead,
London,
NW3.
Time: 3.30pm
Please go to the Main Entrance of the Hospital where a media representative
will provide directions.
If you require any additional assistance such as arrangements for live feed
etc please contact Philipa Hutchins - Media Manager Royal Free Hospital on
0207 830 2963.
For private interviews with the family or any additional information please
contact Carl Arrindell - Family Spokesperson on Tel: 01634 831 975 or
Mobile: 07799 768 768. Email:
carrindell@btinternet.com --
ISM London
Web:
http://www.ism-london.org Forum:
http://www.ism-london.org/forum Email: mailto:
contact@ism-london.org INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
www.palsolidarity.org
ISM London
e-mail:
contact@ism-london.org
Homepage:
www.ism-london.org
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Mainstream coverage...
31.05.2003 18:28
The young British peace activist who was shot in the head while protesting on Israel's Gaza Strip is back home in the UK.
Tom Hurndall, 22, is still in a coma after suffering severe brain damage and is not expected to get better.
The Manchester photography student was wounded on April 11 in the town of Rafah, on the border with Egypt.
He and other volunteers were protecting Palestinian children from gunfire when they were shot at, allegedly by Israeli soldiers.
Tom was taken to London's Royal Free Hospital following his arrival at Heathrow Airport.
His parents, Anthony and Jocelyn Hurndall, told Sky News they were pleased to have him home "at last".
His mother said: "The left side of his brain is badly damaged. We have been advised he is unlikely to come out of the coma.
"It will take a miracle," she added.
Mr and Mrs Hurndall confirmed they are to discuss Tom's case with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
"We want two things - a judicial inquiry and help for the people of Rafah," said Mr Hurndall.
He said the family had postponed its return to the UK after the Israeli military finally agreed to meet them.
"They did not accept responsibility for Tom's shooting. Their version of events completely contradicted everything we had previously been told," he said.
william