On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie was murdered by Israel when she was run over by an IDF bulldozer. Corrie was an American who was in Palestine as a part of a non-violent protest group protesting the demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza. She was standing in front of the bulldozer in the hopes of stopping the destruction of people’s living conditions.

As a result of her death, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Israeli government. The Israel Defence Force held an “investigation’ but concluded that it was an “accident”. The Corrie charge that this was a deliberate killing of a peaceful activist. My opinion is the same as theirs, that this was a deliberate killing. The driver on the other hand still claims that he was unable to see Corrie.

The Corrie parents gave this statement:

“We hope this trial will…illustrate the need for accountability for thousands of lives lost, or indelibly injured, by the Israeli occupation and bring attention to the assault on non-violent human-rights defenders… My family and I are still searching for justice. The brutal death of my daughter should never have happened. We believe the Israeli army must be held accountable for this unlawful killing.”

From the investigation that has been conducted it is very evident that the so called investigation was a cover up. For one thing, the military bulldozer driver testified from behind a screen to hide his identity, no was his name made public. Two of the four witnesses were denied entry into Israel and the doctor who treated Corrie was barred from testifying.

He even admitted that he broke safety regulations in order to continue working. Regulations state that work is prohibited when it takes place 10 meters from people. He testified that he was order to continue doing so anyway, he said, “I’m just a soldier. It was not my decision.”

I’m guessing that this is the Israeli version of the, “I was just following orders” defence. It didn’t work for the Nazi mass murder, so it shouldn’t work for the murder of an American. How often do we see this? How often does some military somewhere say this in order to justify the murder of civilians, innocent people? Answer: all the time.

To make matters worse, no one bother to get a transcript of the radio communications before the killing. Even the defense was unable to find a copy of the video of the incident because it officers had taken it. No one was allowed to speak to the cameraman. The place where she was killed continued to be worked on, in other words, a crime scene was intentionally disturbed.

I think this incident starkly shows the true nature of the murderous Israeli occupation. There is no justice and no peace. In the genocidal drive for the religious fanatical capture of a country. It appears the United States is so resolute on having Palestine in the hands of Israelis that they are willing to allow the killing of their own civilians.