International Solidarity Movement
Professional services
UnclaimedA Palestinian-led movement that organizes international participation in nonviolent direct action, accompaniment, protest, and documentation in support of Palestinian rights.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led activist organization established in 2001 during the Second Intifada. It invites international volunteers to participate alongside Palestinian communities in nonviolent direct action, protest monitoring, accompaniment, emergency mobilization, and documentation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The movement presents international participation as a way to support Palestinian-led resistance to Israeli military occupation and to increase international attention to abuses and restrictions affecting Palestinian civilians. ISM does not operate as a conventional commercial brand. Its activities are organized through volunteer networks and solidarity campaigns rather than through the sale of products or services. International participants generally arrange and finance their own travel and living expenses. The organization’s model relies on the presence of foreign activists at locations where Palestinian residents face military incursions, demolitions, settler violence, checkpoint delays, road closures, curfews, land-access restrictions, or other forms of coercion. Volunteers may accompany farmers during olive harvests, escort medical personnel, document confrontations, assist with emergency communications, or attempt to obstruct military operations through visible nonviolent presence. The movement became internationally prominent through its presence at Yasser Arafat’s compound in Ramallah and at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during the early 2000s. Several foreign volunteers were injured or killed while participating in demonstrations or attempting to protect Palestinian civilians. The deaths of Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall, together with the shooting and serious injury of other volunteers, generated extensive international reporting, documentary coverage, litigation, and debate about the risks and political implications of international activism in conflict zones. ISM describes its methods as nonviolent and states that it does not support terrorism or participate in armed operations. Its mission statement has nevertheless recognized what it characterizes as a Palestinian right to armed resistance under international law, while emphasizing nonviolent resistance as its own method. This wording, and the movement’s proximity to Palestinian factions and confrontational protest settings, have led to criticism from Israeli authorities, commentators, and some media organizations. Supporters portray ISM as a civilian protection and human-rights movement; critics have argued that some of its tactics interfere with Israeli military operations or place volunteers in situations where violence is foreseeable. The movement has also participated in or supported wider solidarity initiatives, including the Free Gaza Movement and attempts to challenge restrictions on access to Gaza. Its work has included opposition to the West Bank barrier, efforts to remove roadblocks, accompaniment during agricultural work, and participation in demonstrations against settlement expansion. The organization’s public profile has fluctuated with developments in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, but its core model remains the deployment of international volunteers to support Palestinian-led nonviolent campaigns and to document events for external audiences.
History
The International Solidarity Movement was formed in 2001 by Palestinian activists Ghassan Andoni and George N. Rishmawi, Israeli activist Neta Golan, and Palestinian-American activist Huwaida Arraf. Adam Shapiro, an American Jewish activist, joined soon afterward and is frequently identified as a co-founder. The movement emerged during the Second Intifada, when Palestinian communities faced intensified military operations, closures, curfews, arrests, home demolitions, and restrictions on movement. ISM developed a model based on international volunteers joining Palestinian-led initiatives rather than directing them. Volunteers were expected to finance their own participation and to work through nonviolent direct action. Activities included standing with residents during military incursions, accompanying farmers and medical workers, documenting incidents, attempting to pass checkpoints or roadblocks, delivering supplies during curfews, and placing themselves between civilians and military vehicles. The movement argued that the visibility of foreign participants could deter violence or generate greater international accountability. Its early prominence came from highly publicized deployments in Ramallah and Bethlehem. ISM activists were present at Yasser Arafat’s compound during an Israeli siege and at the Church of the Nativity during the 2002 standoff. The organization subsequently became associated with protests against the West Bank barrier, settlement activity, road closures, and the restriction of access to Palestinian land. It also participated in wider efforts connected with the Free Gaza Movement and attempts to challenge the naval blockade and isolation of Gaza. The movement’s history has been marked by serious casualties. Kate Edwards suffered internal injuries after being shot during a protest in Beit Jala in 2002. Caoimhe Butterly was shot and wounded in Jenin later that year. Rachel Corrie was killed in Rafah in March 2003 while attempting to block a bulldozer. Brian Avery suffered permanent facial injuries after being shot while accompanying Palestinian medical personnel. Tom Hurndall was shot in Gaza in April 2003 and died in January 2004; the Israeli soldier responsible was convicted of manslaughter in 2005. Other volunteers and demonstrators, including Tristan Anderson, Bianca Zammit, and Emily Henochowicz, sustained severe injuries in later protests. In 2011, activist Vittorio Arrigoni, who had been associated with solidarity work in Gaza, was abducted and killed by a Palestinian Salafist group. ISM’s public statements emphasize nonviolence, but its mission language has recognized a claimed Palestinian right to armed resistance while distinguishing that position from the organization’s own methods. This distinction has been a recurring source of controversy. Critics have accused the movement of blurring the boundary between civilian protection and interference with military operations, while supporters argue that the organization explicitly rejects terrorism and armed participation and that its volunteers act as unarmed witnesses and participants in Palestinian nonviolent resistance. The organization has also faced criticism for its role in intra-Palestinian and international activist debates. ISM and allied groups opposed the One Voice Peace Summit, arguing that the initiative did not adequately support Palestinian rights under international law; critics argued that ISM-associated pressure contributed to efforts to boycott or undermine the summit. Separately, reports of British intelligence or police infiltration raised questions about state surveillance of solidarity organizations. ISM remains best understood as a decentralized activist network rather than a conventional institution, with its influence expressed through volunteer deployments, public documentation, protest participation, and international advocacy.
- 2024
Death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi
[1]Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was reported killed during a protest near Evyatar in the West Bank.
- 2010
Volunteer injuries during Gaza and West Bank protests
[1]ISM-linked activists Bianca Zammit and Emily Henochowicz were seriously injured during separate protest incidents.
- 2006
Nobel nomination for Ghassan Andoni
[1]ISM co-founder Ghassan Andoni was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Jeff Halper.
- 2005
Conviction in the Tom Hurndall case
[1]Israeli soldier Taysir Hayb was convicted of manslaughter and related offenses in connection with the shooting of Tom Hurndall.
- 2004
ISM nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
[1]Canadian parliamentarian Svend Robinson nominated ISM for the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.
- 2003
Rachel Corrie killed in Rafah
[1]Volunteer Rachel Corrie died while attempting to stop an Israeli military bulldozer in Rafah, Gaza.
- 2002
Presence at Ramallah and Bethlehem confrontations
[1]ISM volunteers received extensive international attention through their presence at Yasser Arafat’s compound in Ramallah and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
- 2001
Movement founded
[1]Palestinian, Israeli, and Palestinian-American activists established the International Solidarity Movement during the Second Intifada.
Products and positioning
A Palestinian-led, volunteer-based solidarity movement using international presence, nonviolent direct action, accompaniment, and documentation to support Palestinian communities and oppose Israeli occupation.
Volunteer activism · 2001
International volunteer program
ISM’s principal offering is participation by international volunteers in Palestinian-led nonviolent campaigns. Volunteers generally pay their own travel and living costs and may receive orientation concerning local conditions, nonviolent methods, documentation, and emergency procedures. Assignments can include accompaniment, protest observation, communications support, and assistance to communities affected by military or settler activity.
Human-rights documentation · 2001
Civilian accompaniment and monitoring
Volunteers accompany Palestinian farmers, medical personnel, and residents in locations where movement is restricted or where harassment by soldiers or settlers is reported. Their presence is intended to provide witnesses, reduce delays and intimidation, and create records that can be shared with international audiences.
Political activism · 2001
Nonviolent direct-action campaigns
Campaigns have included demonstrations against the West Bank barrier and settlement expansion, attempts to remove roadblocks, protests against curfews and closed military zones, and efforts to impede military vehicles through unarmed physical presence. ISM characterizes these actions as Palestinian-led and nonviolent.
Controversies
2007
Reported British police infiltration
A member of the British Special Demonstration Squad reportedly infiltrated ISM between 2004 and 2007. The disclosure raised concerns about surveillance of activist organizations and the use of undercover policing in international solidarity networks.
2003
Controversy over Rachel Corrie’s death
ISM witnesses disputed the Israeli military’s characterization of Rachel Corrie’s death as an accident. Her family’s lawsuits in the United States and Israel were unsuccessful, and an Israeli court later found no negligence or intent by Israel.
2003
Debate over violence and armed resistance language
ISM’s recognition of a claimed Palestinian right to armed resistance, alongside its stated commitment to nonviolence and rejection of terrorism, has generated sustained criticism and public debate.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008Free Gaza solidarity efforts
Gaza Strip · International
ISM participated in the wider Free Gaza Movement and supported efforts intended to challenge restrictions on access to the Gaza Strip.
Outcome. The initiatives generated international attention concerning the Gaza blockade and maritime access.
- 2003Rafah civilian protection actions
Gaza Strip
ISM volunteers carried out visible nonviolent actions in Rafah, including attempts to prevent military bulldozers from advancing toward Palestinian areas.
Outcome. Rachel Corrie was killed during one such action, producing sustained international debate over military conduct and the risks of human-rights accompaniment.
- 2003West Bank barrier protests
West Bank
ISM participated in demonstrations and direct actions opposing construction of the West Bank barrier and its effects on Palestinian communities.
Outcome. The protests contributed to international visibility for local campaigns but also led to clashes, arrests, and injuries.
- 2002Ramallah and Church of the Nativity solidarity deployments
West Bank
ISM volunteers joined highly visible solidarity deployments at Yasser Arafat’s compound in Ramallah and at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during Israeli military operations and the Bethlehem standoff.
Outcome. The deployments brought substantial international media attention to ISM and established its model of placing foreign volunteers at conflict flashpoints.
Brand decisions
2006
Support for efforts challenging access restrictions on GazaStrategyBackground
ISM activists sought to draw attention to the isolation and restrictions affecting the Gaza Strip.
Action taken
The movement supported initiatives associated with the Free Gaza Movement and attempted to send aid and solidarity delegations toward Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Aftermath
The efforts increased international attention to blockade and access issues, while exposing participants to substantial security and legal risks.
2001
Adoption of Palestinian-led nonviolent direct actionStrategyBackground
The movement was created during the Second Intifada amid intensified Israeli military operations and international concern about conditions facing Palestinian civilians.
Action taken
ISM adopted a model in which international volunteers support locally led nonviolent protests, accompaniment, emergency mobilization, and documentation rather than operating as an independent armed or political organization.
Aftermath
This model gave the movement a distinctive international profile but repeatedly placed volunteers in dangerous confrontation zones.
Sources2 sources
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