(Photo: Robert Shetterly/Americans Who Tell the Truth)
Feb 13, 2015
The family of Rachel Corrie--the 23-year-old U.S. activist crushed to death by an Israeli military bulldozer while nonviolently protesting a home demolition in Palestine 12 years ago--was denied justice by Israel's top court on Thursday.
The rejection is the latest stage in the family's decade-long legal battle to hold Israel liable for Corrie's death, on charges that the military either killed her deliberately or was negligent.
Corrie, who hailed from Olympia, Washington, had been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement for two months in Gaza when she was run over and killed by Israeli forces near the Rafah crossing in 2003. Her death sparked international outrage at Israeli human rights abuses, as well as accolades for Corrie's life and legacy.
Since her killing, Corrie's parents--Cindy and Craig--have continued their daughter's work for global justice.
However, they have so far not seen justice in Israel's courts.
Corrie's family first filed a wrongful death civil suit in 2005. In 2012, Judge Oded Gershon of the Haifa district court sided with the military and charged that Corrie was responsible for her own death. "She did not move away as any reasonable person would have done," ruled Gershon. "But she chose to endanger herself."
This dismissal garnered widespread condemnation, including from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who slammed the probe into the killing of Corrie as unsatisfactory.
On Thursday, Israel's supreme court rejected the Corrie family's appeal of the 2012 ruling.
"Our family is disappointed but not surprised," the Corrie family said in a statement released on Thursday. "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."
"Rachel's case provides yet another example of how the Israeli justice system is failing to provide accountability," the statement continues. "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 tenets of international justice."
The court has determined, however, that a separate case filed by Corrie's family, which charges that her remains and autopsy were mishandled, may proceed through a lower court.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
The family of Rachel Corrie--the 23-year-old U.S. activist crushed to death by an Israeli military bulldozer while nonviolently protesting a home demolition in Palestine 12 years ago--was denied justice by Israel's top court on Thursday.
The rejection is the latest stage in the family's decade-long legal battle to hold Israel liable for Corrie's death, on charges that the military either killed her deliberately or was negligent.
Corrie, who hailed from Olympia, Washington, had been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement for two months in Gaza when she was run over and killed by Israeli forces near the Rafah crossing in 2003. Her death sparked international outrage at Israeli human rights abuses, as well as accolades for Corrie's life and legacy.
Since her killing, Corrie's parents--Cindy and Craig--have continued their daughter's work for global justice.
However, they have so far not seen justice in Israel's courts.
Corrie's family first filed a wrongful death civil suit in 2005. In 2012, Judge Oded Gershon of the Haifa district court sided with the military and charged that Corrie was responsible for her own death. "She did not move away as any reasonable person would have done," ruled Gershon. "But she chose to endanger herself."
This dismissal garnered widespread condemnation, including from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who slammed the probe into the killing of Corrie as unsatisfactory.
On Thursday, Israel's supreme court rejected the Corrie family's appeal of the 2012 ruling.
"Our family is disappointed but not surprised," the Corrie family said in a statement released on Thursday. "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."
"Rachel's case provides yet another example of how the Israeli justice system is failing to provide accountability," the statement continues. "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 tenets of international justice."
The court has determined, however, that a separate case filed by Corrie's family, which charges that her remains and autopsy were mishandled, may proceed through a lower court.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
The family of Rachel Corrie--the 23-year-old U.S. activist crushed to death by an Israeli military bulldozer while nonviolently protesting a home demolition in Palestine 12 years ago--was denied justice by Israel's top court on Thursday.
The rejection is the latest stage in the family's decade-long legal battle to hold Israel liable for Corrie's death, on charges that the military either killed her deliberately or was negligent.
Corrie, who hailed from Olympia, Washington, had been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement for two months in Gaza when she was run over and killed by Israeli forces near the Rafah crossing in 2003. Her death sparked international outrage at Israeli human rights abuses, as well as accolades for Corrie's life and legacy.
Since her killing, Corrie's parents--Cindy and Craig--have continued their daughter's work for global justice.
However, they have so far not seen justice in Israel's courts.
Corrie's family first filed a wrongful death civil suit in 2005. In 2012, Judge Oded Gershon of the Haifa district court sided with the military and charged that Corrie was responsible for her own death. "She did not move away as any reasonable person would have done," ruled Gershon. "But she chose to endanger herself."
This dismissal garnered widespread condemnation, including from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who slammed the probe into the killing of Corrie as unsatisfactory.
On Thursday, Israel's supreme court rejected the Corrie family's appeal of the 2012 ruling.
"Our family is disappointed but not surprised," the Corrie family said in a statement released on Thursday. "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."
"Rachel's case provides yet another example of how the Israeli justice system is failing to provide accountability," the statement continues. "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 tenets of international justice."
The court has determined, however, that a separate case filed by Corrie's family, which charges that her remains and autopsy were mishandled, may proceed through a lower court.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.