The death of pro-Palestinian activist Rachel Corrie was a “regrettable accident” for which the state of Israel was not responsible, a judge has ruled, dismissing a civil lawsuit brought by the family.
The young American had “put herself in a dangerous situation” and her death was not caused by the negligence of the Israeli state or army, said Judge Oded Gershon at Haifa district court.
Rachel Corrie ruling 'deeply troubling', says her family.
This is certainly not an 'IP' diary. The bigger concern I have is that it demonstrates the growing tolerance for governments and militarized police forces to take any action they choose against legitimate protest.
Rachel Corrie was killed on March 16, 2003, while she tried to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip.
She was run-over by a bulldozer in broad daylight. In response to the Corrie familiy's lawsuit-
The lawsuit, filed by Corrie’s parents, Cindy and Craig, of Olympia, Washington state, accused the Israeli military of either unlawfully or intentionally killing Rachel or of gross negligence. The family had claimed a symbolic $1 (63p) in damages and legal expenses.
- the court ruled it an 'accident.'
There is video of what happened that day. I won't link to it, but you can find it for yourself if you want. It shows what I believe to be a murder rather than an 'accident.'
Actual cockpit transmission from the D-9 bulldozer driver to the watch tower, saying he "hit an object" and "I think the object got hit by the dobby (D-9) and he is in a severe condition." He is asked "Did you see him?" and responds "Yes I saw him, I think he is dead."
object = him? "Object" sounds like a code-word there.
One dollar.
Not one fucking dollar.
And not an inch, either.
The US government believed the military investigation was flawed, she added. Last week, the US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, told the Corrie family that Washington remained dissatisfied with the the inquiry. Hussein Abu Hussein, the family’s lawyer, said: “This verdict is yet another example of where impunity has prevailed over accountability and fairness. Rachel Corrie was killed while non-violently protesting home demolitions and injustice in Gaza, and today, this court has given its stamp of approval to flawed and illegal practices that failed to protect civilian life.
- from RS
Whether you agree or not with Rachel Corrie's politics, this should send a shiver up the spine of anyone who believes in the right to protest in a democratic society, and the responsibility of democratic governments to respect that right.
We all saw the escalation that took place during the OWS protests.
If this can stand, where will it end?
Chris McGreal guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 28 August 2012 12.43 BST Jump to comments (…)
In Memoriam- Rachel Corrie - 1979-2003