In 2002 SESAME, Students Educating Students About the Middle East, was created by students returning from Palestine after volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and in response the looming threat of war on Iraq. Rachel Corrie's death and the beginning of the occupation of Iraq occurred within days of each other. Since then SESAME has expanded to include solidarity, advocacy, education and action on issues surrounding racism, human rights and foreign policy.