Crescent International
The Zionists can do no wrong, even when they murder, in cold blood unarmed non-violent peace activists. Rachel Corrie, a young American peace activist was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer in March 2003. Her grieving family has been seeking an explanation from the Zionist regime and went all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court but to no avail. The US finances the Zionist regime to the tune of some $15 billion annually.
Washington DC, Crescent-online
Friday February 13, 2015, 10:07 EST
While anticipated, Rachel Corrie’s family was deeply distressed at hearing that the highest court in the Zionist State had acted not in upholding international law but in protecting the criminal acts of the occupation army.
Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American peace activist was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza on March 16, 2003. She had tried to prevent the Zionists’ destruction of a Palestinian family’s house. Instead, she paid the price with her life when the dozer, a US-supplied Caterpillar, driven by an Israeli army soldier drove right over her. It reversed and crushed her fragile body again.
Rachel’s family and friends were devastated. She was not involved in any violent act; she merely tried to prevent another Palestinian family’s modest home from being destroyed. For this she paid the supreme sacrifice of her young life. Her family lodged a case against this wanton act of murder. They went all the way to the Supreme Court of Israel to seek truth about young Rachel’s killing. On February 12, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected their appeal.
The following statement was issued by Rachel Corrie Foundation.
Today [February 12] we received word from our attorneys that the Supreme Court of Israel dismissed our appeal in the wrongful death case of our daughter and sister Rachel Corrie. Our family is disappointed but not surprised. We had hoped for a different outcome, though we have come to see through this experience how deeply all of Israel's institutions are implicated in the impunity enjoyed by the Israeli military.
It will take some time before we have ability to read the decision in English and to process all the court has said. Nevertheless, it is clear that this decision, affirming the August 2012 lower court finding, amounts to judicial sanction of immunity for Israeli military forces when they commit injustices and human rights violations. The Israeli Supreme Court decision ignores international law arguments regarding the protection of civilians and human rights defenders in armed conflict, and grossly violates the internationally recognized right to effective remedy.
We have taken this path for Rachel, the daughter and sister we love, lost, and miss. Her spirit lives. She has inspired all of our actions and will continue to do so.
The court has determined that our separate case against Dr. Yehuda Hiss and Abu Kabir Institute, regarding inappropriate ways in which Rachel's autopsy was conducted, may go forward in the lower court. We continue to be appalled that it requires a lawsuit to have a truthful accounting of what occurred, and complete repatriation of Rachel's remains. Decisions as to next steps will be made by the family in consultation with our attorneys.
Despite the verdict, our family remains convinced we were correct in bringing this case forward. The day after Rachel was killed, Prime Minister Sharon promised President Bush a thorough, credible, and transparent investigation. Clearly, that standard was not met. The U.S. Government continues to call for such an investigation by Israel. A civil lawsuit cannot substitute for an impartial investigation, but it is the only process through which a family can discover more information and move forward when governments fail to act.
Rachel's case provides yet another example of how the Israeli justice system is failing to provide accountability. We urge the international community, and not least the U.S. Government, to stand with victims of human rights violations and against impunity, and to uphold fundamental tenants of international justice. We are immensely grateful to our attorney Hussein Abu Hussein and to his entire legal team for the decade of work they have contributed to Rachel's case, and continue to provide. We are grateful to all of our friends in Palestine, Israel, and elsewhere, who in so many different ways have supported our efforts.
We have taken this path for Rachel, the daughter and sister we love, lost, and miss. Her spirit lives. She has inspired all of our actions and will continue to do so.
For more information about the trial, visit
http://rachelcorriefoundation.org/trial
Media Inquiries: Contact Stacy Sullivan
Phone: 917-971-1003
Email: press@rachelcorriefoundation.org
