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'''Rachel Corrie''' (], ] - ], ]) was a peace activist who was run over and killed by an ]i soldier operated ] while she was protesting ]i demolitions of ] homes in the ]. '''Rachel Corrie''' (], ] - ], ]) was a member of the ] (ISM) who was hurt and killed by an ]i soldier operated ] while she was protesting Israeli demolitions of ] homes in ] in the ].


Corrie's death sparked controversy because she was a ] citizen killed during a non-violent protest, yet the ] has not conducted its own investigation or demanded an independent one, and ] has cleared its soldiers of responsibility while refusing to release any investigation documents. Her death sparked controversy because she was the first Western protester killed in the conflict and a ] citizen, and because of the highly politicized nature of the ]; various advocates scrambled to blame it on the IDF, the ISM, the Palestinians, and on Corrie herself.


==Background== ==Background==


Rachel Corrie was the daughter of Craig Corrie, an insurance executive, and Cindy Corrie, a flutist and a school volunteer. She was raised in ], ], ]. After graduating from ], she went on to ], where she studied the arts and international relations. Corrie aspired to be a writer or an artist and dabbled in political activism. During college years, Rachel joined the and participated in peace and environmental activities. In her senior year she took a leave of absence to participate in ] organized peaceful demonstrations against the ] and to initiate a ] project between her hometown Olympia and ]. Raised in ], ], ], Rachel was the daughter of Craig Corrie, an insurance executive, and Cindy Corrie, a school volunteer and flautist. After graduating from ], she went on to ], where she studied the arts and international relations. During college years, Corrie joined the and participated in various peace and environmental activities. In her senior year she took a leave of absence to participate in ] organized peaceful demonstrations against the ] and to initiate a ] project between her hometown Olympia and the Palestinian city of ].


== Activities in Gaza == == Activities in Gaza ==


On ], ], Corrie travelled to the ] to join other ] activists in ] for peace and against the ]. In the following two months she participated in a variety of actions including: On ], ], Corrie travelled to the ], where she attended two days of training in ] ] and ] before joining other ] activists in ] for peace and against the ]. Through ] and ] she participated in a variety of actions including:


* Protesting and disrupting ]i army demolitions of ] homes by acting as a ]. * Protesting and disrupting Israeli army demolitions of ] homes by acting as a ].


* Protecting ] civilians by placing herself between the ]i troops and ]. ]i troops once fired bullets over the activist tent and at the ground nearby. * Protecting Palestinian civilians by placing herself between the Palestinians and the Israeli troops.


] ]


* Protecting ] wells from destruction by the ]i army, by surrounding the wells as ]s. (see photo, left) * Protecting Palestinian wells from destruction by the Israeli army, by surrounding the wells as ]s. (see photo, left)


* Denouncing the ] for alleged complicity in crimes against ].
Corrie also served as a "] observer" of the actions of ]i troops in the area. She documented the destruction of 25 ] ]s and the digging up of the road to ] by the ]i army. She documented that ]i soldiers fired shots at ] Municipal Water Authority workers who were rebuilding two wells demolished by the ]i military. Corrie also wrote about smuggling tunnels in Gaza (.)


During her stay, Corrie denounced the ] for its alleged complicity in crimes against ] and participated in a demonstration against the ], where she burned a paper-drawn ] (but refused to burn an ]i flag, stating that as a US citizen she could only bear responsibility for opposing US actions.) * Demonstrating against the ] (as part of the ]), where she burned a paper-drawn ] (but refused to burn an Israeli flag, stating that as a US citizen she could only bear responsibility for opposing US actions; see photo below.)


]
Corrie frequently met with local ]s and spent several days and nights with ] families in Rafah. She also helped a ] boy with his ] homework, played soccer and danced with ] children. Corrie was also involved in a children's ] program between the Gaza Strip and the U.S.
<!-- FAIR USE of Rachelcorrie03.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:RachelBurnsFlag.jpeg for rationale -->


Corrie stated that she also served as a "] observer" of the actions of Israeli troops in the area. She documented the destruction of 25 ]s and the digging up of the road to ] by the Israeli army. She also documented that Israeli soldiers fired shots at ] workers attempting to rebuild the ] and ], which were bulldozed by the Israeli military on ].
While in Rafah, Corrie communicated by e-mail with "Danny," an ]i army reserve officer who refused to serve in ] territories. He wrote to her: "You are doing a good thing. I thank you for it," and asked her to "document as much as you can and do not embellish anything with creative writing." During her stay, she communicated by e-mail with "Danny," a reserve first ] in the Israeli army, who asked her to "document as much as you can and do not embellish anything with creative writing."
She also wrote about the ] in Gaza in her report: "Events Surrounding the Deaths of 2 Men in Tunnels beneath the Block O area" (.)


Corrie met and spoke with local ]s and spent several days and nights with Palestinian families in Rafah. In e-mails to her mother, she mentioned watching the cartoon '']'' dubbed in ] and helping a Palestinian boy with his ] homework. She was also involved in a children's ] program between the Gaza Strip and the U.S.
In her Corrie described what she witnessed and expressed a deep disappointment with the destruction and injustice being done to ] by ] on daily basis. On March 14, in an interview to the Middle East Broadcasting, Corrie said: "I feel like I'm witnessing the systematic destruction of a people's ability to survive. It's horrifying. It takes a while to get what's happening here. People here are trying to maintain their lives, trying to be happy. Sometimes I sit down to dinner with people and I realize there is a massive military machine surrounding us, trying to kill the people I'm having dinner with."


== Corrie's death == == Corrie's death ==
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] ]


The ]i military frequently used armored bulldozers to destroy buildings and farmland in ], along the road near the border with ], claiming that the demolitions were intended to uncover explosive devices and destroy ]. The ]i military killed several ] civilians during these demolitions . Many consider these ]i actions to be a form of ] in violaton of international law. The Israeli military frequently used armored bulldozers to destroy buildings and farmland in ], along the road near the border with ], claiming that the demolitions were intended to uncover ] and destroy ]. These demolitions were usually carried out under heavy fire from Palestinian militants, and the firefights sometimes resulted in Palestinian civilians killed. Many consider these Israeli actions to be a form of ] in violation of international law, while many others see them as a legitimate measure of ].


On ], ], Corrie was in a group of seven ] activists (three ] and four ]) attempting to disrupt house demolitions in ]. On ], ], Corrie was in a group of seven ] activists (three ] and four ]) attempting to disrupt what they thought were house demolitions in ], and the IDF claimed to be a clearing of debris and shrubbery to expose explosive devices.


''The following is a description according to account of Joseph Smith, an ISM activist. The neutrality and reliability of his account are disputed.''
Two armored bulldozers, supported by an armored ] (CEV) and ]i troops, were operating in the area that day.
From 1:30pm, the peace activists began disrupting the demolitions by standing in front of bulldozers and shouting at the operators through a megaphone to stop the demolitions. ]i soldiers used ] and fired live bullets at activists' feet or in the air to disperse them; protesters later regrouped.


Two armored bulldozers, supported by an armored ] (CEV) and Israeli troops, were operating in the area that day.
The ] claims that its office informed the British and American embassies between 2:00pm and 3:00pm that ]i army bulldozers were behaving aggressively and endangering the lives of protesters, but that embassies took no action.
From 1:30pm, the peace activists began disrupting the demolitions by standing in front of bulldozers and shouting at the operators through a megaphone to stop the demolitions. Israeli soldiers used ] and fired ]s to disperse the protesters, who later regrouped.

The ] claims that its office informed the British and American embassies between 2:00pm and 3:00pm that Israeli army bulldozers were behaving aggressively and endangering the lives of protesters, but that embassies took no action.


According to , Corrie followed the standard technique of sitting, kneeling or standing on top of the pile of debris in front of the bulldozer. Several times that day, the bulldozers stopped directly at her feet. According to , Corrie followed the standard technique of sitting, kneeling or standing on top of the pile of debris in front of the bulldozer. Several times that day, the bulldozers stopped directly at her feet.
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Corrie was wearing a high-visibility orange fluorescent jacket with reflective strips. She had been using a megaphone earlier in the day (see photo, left), but not at the time she was killed. Corrie was wearing a high-visibility orange fluorescent jacket with reflective strips. She had been using a megaphone earlier in the day (see photo, left), but not at the time she was killed.


Around 4:45pm, Corrie was in front of a house where activists had stayed previously, owned by Dr. Samir Nasrallah, a ] ], to prevent its expected demolition. Most other structures in the area had already been demolished by the ]i army; Nasrallah's family home now stood alone in a sea of sand and debris . Around 4:45pm, Corrie was in front of a house where activists had stayed previously, owned by Dr. Samir Nasrallah, a ] ], to prevent its expected demolition. Most other structures in the area had already been demolished by the Israeli army; Nasrallah's family home now stood alone in a sea of sand and debris .


Just before being killed, Corrie was on top of a pile of debris, about 15 meters from the bulldozer, looking at the driver's cabin (with 2 drivers inside). According to a photographer, she was sitting and waving her arms. The driver moved towards her, and at some point, Corrie stood up, then jumped or off the pile of rubble, possibly losing her footing or tripping at the bottom, possibly being knocked of balance by the moving earth. This may have obscured her from sight of the driver.
One bulldozer began approaching the house. Corrie was about 15 meters in front of the bulldozer, waving her arms and shouting. The bulldozer continued driving towards her.


Corrie was sitting (or kneeling) on a pile of debris. The bulldozer drove slowly toward her, gathering earth in its scoop. Corrie did not move. When the bulldozer began moving the earth beneath her, Corrie climbed onto the growing pile being pushed by the bulldozer. At this point, her head was at eye-level with the cabin of the bulldozer, with 2 operators inside. The bulldozer continued moving forwards, pushing the pile with Corrie on top, causing her to slip down and fall on her knees. As the bulldozer continued, her legs were pulled into the pile. Other ISM activists started shouting at the bulldozer drivers to stop, pointing towards Corrie. But the bulldozer continued and the plow blade pushed her deep into the debris; the bulldozer continued moving forward until Corrie's body was beneath the driver cabin. The bulldozer then stopped, waited a few seconds, and then reversed direction. As the plow blade was still pressed down it scraped over Corrie's body a second time.

Other ISM activists started shouting at the bulldozer drivers to stop, pointing towards Corrie. But the bulldozer continued and the plow blade pushed her deep into the debris. The bulldozer continued forward, moving the lowered plow blade over Corrie's body until she was beneath the driver cabin. The bulldozer then stopped, waited a few seconds, and then reversed direction. The plow blade was still pressed down and it scraped over Corrie's body a second time.


] ]
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Corrie suffered massive injuries from the bulldozer blade. According to the ] report, her skull was fractured, ribs shattered and lungs punctured. Corrie suffered massive injuries from the bulldozer blade. According to the ] report, her skull was fractured, ribs shattered and lungs punctured.


The bulldozers then withdrew and stopped more than 20 meters away. The tank with ]i soldiers guarding the bulldozers approached the scene and activists shouted that Corrie had been run over and might die. The soldiers did not get out, ask any questions or offer any help; they talked on their radios, then withdrew and parked the tank between the bulldozers. The bulldozers then withdrew and stopped far away. The tank with soldiers guarding the bulldozers approached the scene and activists shouted that Corrie had been run over and might die. The soldiers did not get out, ask any questions or offer any help; they talked on their radios, then withdrew and parked the tank between the bulldozers.


One activist ran to the Nasrallah's house to ask for his help and to call an ambulance. A ] ] arrived between 5:00pm and 5:15pm and the activists formed a shield around ] ambulance workers (]i tanks had often fired at ambulance workers in the past .) One activist ran to the Nasrallah's house to ask for his help and to call an ambulance. A ] ] arrived between 5:00pm and 5:15pm and the activists formed a shield around Palestinian ambulance workers (Palestinians claim that Israeli tanks had often fired at ambulance workers in the past .)


Corrie was taken to the local Al-Najar ] where she was pronounced dead at 5:20pm (one witness said that she died while in the ambulance). Corrie was taken to the local Al-Najar ] where she was pronounced dead at 5:20pm (one witness said that she died while in the ambulance).

Others dispute this account and claim ]'s version is full of contradictions and misinformation. A major point of dispute is Rachel's interaction with the bulldozer and what really caused her death &mdash; a stroke from the blade or falling debris, or whether she was crushed under the bulldozer tracks and blade. Other points, such as Smith's claim that they heard the bulldozer driver shouting at them , are argued to indicate lack of credibility, since ] are very noisy equipment and operators are protected by thich glass and armor.


=== Cause of death === === Cause of death ===


An initial ] was performed at the ]i ] in ]. '']'' reported that the autopsy report of ] concluded that Corrie's "death was caused by pressure on the chest from a mechanical apparatus". An initial ] was performed at the Israeli ] in ]. '']'' reported that the autopsy report of ] concluded that Corrie's "death was caused by pressure on the chest from a mechanical apparatus".


] at first denied that she was run over, then claimed that her injuries were caused by falling debris and, finally, that she was injured by a slab of concrete in the debris. Israel denied that she was run over, and explained that her injuries were caused by falling debris. The '']'' article on ], ] stated that "An autopsy found that the cause of Corrie’s death was falling debris".
The '']'' article on ], ] stated that "An autopsy found that the cause of Corrie’s death was falling debris".


== Responsibility for Corrie's death == == Responsibility for Corrie's death ==


Several eyewitnesses charged that the bulldozer operator crushed Corrie deliberately and called her killing "a ]." ] claims that the killing was an accident. Several eyewitnesses charged that the bulldozer operator crushed Corrie deliberately and called her killing "a ]." Israel claims that the killing was an accident.


The bulldozers had been in the area for two hours, and were certainly aware of the protesters and their activities. They had seen Corrie and stopped in front of her several times that day. The bulldozers had been in the area for two hours, and were certainly aware of the protesters and their activities. They had seen Corrie and stopped in front of her several times that day.
Witness statements by fellow ISM activists indicate that Corrie would have been clearly visible to the drivers while she was standing on top of the pile of rubble in front of the driver. She was wearing a bright orange reflective jacket at the time. Witness statements by fellow ISM activists indicate that Corrie would have been clearly visible to the drivers while she was standing on top of the pile of rubble in front of the driver. She was wearing a bright red reflective jacket at the time.


However, according to some who claim to have read unpublished reports of the ]i military and judiciary, the bulldozer operators claimed that they never saw or heard Corrie. However, according to some who claim to have read unpublished reports of the Israeli military and judiciary, the drivers claimed that they never saw or heard Corrie.


Whether other ]i soldiers from the armored support group saw Corrie and, if so, why they didn't react is unclear because their statements have not been published. Whether other Israeli soldiers from the armored support group saw Corrie and, if so, why they didn't react is unclear because their statements have not been published.
] bulldozers have a restricted field of vision; because of this ]i army rules require other soldiers at the scene to assist in directing the bulldozer. Because ] bulldozers have a restricted field of vision with several blind spots, the Israeli army regulations require other soldiers at the scene to assist in directing the bulldozer driver.


] ]


The ]i army has declined to comment on this issue. The ] army commander of Gaza Strip claimed in an interview to the ]i TV that soldiers had to stay in their armored vehicles and could not direct the bulldozer or arrest the protesters because of a potential threat of ] snipers. He also speculated that ]i soldiers may have been handling other ISM activists instead of watching over the bulldozer. However, critics point out that soldiers had intervened that day to disperse the activists, and the four ISM activists in the vicinity were not "handled" by soldiers at that time. The Israel army commander of Gaza Strip claimed in an interview to the Israeli TV that soldiers had to stay in their armored vehicles and could not direct the bulldozer or arrest the protesters because of a potential threat of Palestinian ]s. He also speculated that Israeli soldiers may have been handling other ISM activists instead of watching over the bulldozer. However, critics point out that soldiers had intervened that day to disperse the activists, and the four ISM activists in the vicinity were not "handled" by soldiers at that time.


The ]i government had promised a "thorough, credible, and transparent investigation" to the ]. Later, however, ] declared the killing a "regrettable accident" and blamed it on Corrie and ISM activists, but refused to release investigation reports or any other documents, even to the ]. ] allowed only two American embassy staffers to read selected parts. Richard LeBaron, the US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission in Tel Aviv, stated that "there are several inconsistencies worthy of note" in the report.


The Israeli government had promised a "thorough, credible, and transparent investigation." Later, however, Israel declared the killing a "regrettable accident" and blamed it on Corrie and ISM activists, but refused to release investigation reports or any other information, even to the ]. Israel allowed only two American embassy staffers to read selected parts. Commenting on the report, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission in Tel Aviv Richard LeBaron said that "there are several inconsistencies worthy of note."
The ] rejected the ]i report stating that here the military was investigating itself and that the army conclusion was contrary to eyewitness reports. Tom Wallace, an ISM spokesman, said that the ]’s investigation had been far from credible and transparent.


The ] rejected the Israeli report stating it was contrary to eyewitness reports. Tom Wallace, an ISM spokesman, said that the Israel’s investigation had been far from credible and transparent.
On ], ], Brian Baird, a ] from Corrie's home state, introduced a bill () in the ], calling on the ] government to "undertake a full, fair, and expeditious investigation into the death of Rachel Corrie." The bill, however, has received support of only 56 representatives so far and has little chance of passage.


On ], ], ] Brian Baird introduced a bill, "H.R. 111", in the ] calling on the U.S. government to "undertake a full, fair, and expeditious investigation into the death of Rachel Corrie." The bill, however, has languished there and has little chance of passage.
The Corrie family continues to call for a ] investigation into Rachel's death.

The Corrie family continues to call for a U.S. investigation into Rachel's death.


== Reactions to Corrie's death == == Reactions to Corrie's death ==


]
Corrie's death has been condemned by many as the murder of a peaceful civilian. Corrie's supporters have contrasted the ] government's silence over Corrie's killing with the ] government's prompt condemnation of the killing of three US diplomats, allegedly by a ] militant faction, that same year.


Capt. ]l, a spokesman for the Israeli army, called the incident a "regrettable accident," but said Corrie and the other ISM activists were "a group of protesters who were acting very irresponsibly, putting everyone in danger - the Palestinians, themselves and our forces - by intentionally placing themselves in a combat zone."
]


On ], ] condemned the death and called for an independent inquiry. ], their Advocacy Director for the Middle East, said that "US-made bulldozers have been 'weaponized' and their transfer to Israel must be suspended".
A spokesman for the ]i army called the killing a "regrettable accident," adding that Corrie and the other ISM activists were "a group of protesters who were acting very irresponsibly, putting everyone in danger - the ]s, themselves and our forces - by intentionally placing themselves in a combat zone."
Her death has been condemned as the murder of a US civilian by many of Corrie's supporters who have contrasted US government silence over Corrie's death to condemnation of the killing of three US diplomats, allegedly by ], a Palestinian militant faction, in 2003. Her picture continues to be used in protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
] maintains that its soldiers forces were not at fault, and has announced that it will implement changes, such as arresting activists or forcing them to disperse, and installing ]s on bulldozers to cover blind spots.


On ], there was a memorial service at the place where Corrie died, attended by between 40 and 100 people, including Samir Masri. The service was interrupted by an Israeli APC which fired tear gas and ]s. A Palestinian couple (Salah and Rania Noureddine) named their newborn child ''Rachel Corrie'' saying that their daughter would be "a symbol for them and all honest people in the Arab world."
] condemned Corrie's killing and on ] called for an independent inquiry. Their advocacy director for the Middle East said that "US-made bulldozers have been 'weaponized' and their transfer to ] must be suspended".


]
The City of ], ], proclaimed March 16 'Rachel Corrie Day' and Mayor Scott Kennedy said in a statement: "It is a very sad commentary on the state of political affairs in the United States that our national government has done virtually nothing to find out what happened and to insist that those responsible for her death be held accountable."

]

In Rafah and elsewhere in the ] territories, portrait posters of Corrie were plastered to walls, with slogans such as "Rachel did not die. She lives in our hearts." Corrie's picture continues to be used in protests against ]'s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
A ] couple (Salah and Rania Noureddine) named their newborn child ''Rachel Corrie'' saying that their daughter would be "a symbol for them and all honest people in the Arab world."

On ], ]i forces used ] and ] in an attempt to break up a memorial service held at the place where Corrie died. The service was attended by 40 to 100 people, including Dr. Samir Nasrallah. ]i armored vehicles fired tear gas and ]s near attendants, fired gun shots in the air and tanks chased some activists. The bulldozer that killed Corrie also apeared in the area.


On ], 15 people, including ] citizens ] and ], went to the site of Corrie's death, where they placed a flower. Five days later Hanif and Sharif carried out a ] in Tel Aviv, killing three civilians. On ], 15 people, including ] citizens ] and ], met at an ISM apartment in Rafah, Gaza and then proceeded to the site of Corrie's death, where they placed a flower. Five days later Hanif and Sharif carried out a ] of the ] restaurant in Tel Aviv, killing three civilians. The Israeli government then imposed new restrictions on ISM activities based upon the presence of the two bombers at the Corrie memorial.
<!--- http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/05/05/suicide.bombers/ ---> <!--- http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/05/05/suicide.bombers/ --->
Citing this event, the ]i government imposed new restrictions on all peace activists: besides severely restricting their entry, ] began requiring all activists to sign a waiver releasing ] from any responsibility for their injury or death.


The ] reported on ] ] that "to the people of Rafah, Rachel Corrie will always remain a very special martyr, their American martyr". In Rafah and elsewhere in the Palestinian territories, portrait posters of Corrie were plastered to walls, with accompanying slogans such as "Rachel did not die. She lives in our hearts." She is one of the few non-Arabs to be treated in this way. On ] ], the ] reported that "to the people of Rafah, Rachel Corrie will always remain a very special ], their American martyr".


An official investigation of the event by IDF in mid April found that Corrie and other ISM members had engaged in "illegal, irresponsible and dangerous" behavior, and that Israeli forces were not at fault. The IDF said that it intends to implement changes to avoid future accidents, including arresting activists or forcing them to disperse, and installing ]s on bulldozers to cover blindspots. This report has not been made public. Corrie's parents were permitted to read it, but not to receive a copy. The description of the conclusions of the report in this article are therefore based on secondary sources.
One demolished ] family home was rebuilt in ] of ] and dedicated to the memory of Rachel Corrie, but was ordered to be demolished by ].


== Postscript ==


<!--- http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,917178,00.html --->
In the next two months after Corrie's death, ]i army shot and killed two ] peace observers (not associated with Corrie's group). On ], ], the British TV channel ] broadcast a documentary titled "When Killing is Easy" about the killings of Rachel Corrie, Tom Hurndall and James Miller.

The house which Rachel Corrie tried to protect when she was killed was demolished by ] after peace activists left.


==External links and references== ==External links and references==


] ]


=== Israeli reports === === Israeli reports ===


Articles with quotes from the ]i reports which have not been made public: Here are some reports with quotes from the various Israeli reports into Corrie's death (the reports themselves have not been made public):


* - from UK's ] * - from UK's ]
* - from ], June 14, 2003 * - from ], June 14, 2003


=== Commentary and link sites === === Commentary and link lists ===


* - list of links to opinions, articles, etc - one of several sites. * - list of links to opinions, articles, etc - one of a few such sites.
* -- at landofisrael.info * - from
* - links from an "In memoriam" site. * - list of links from an "In memoriam" site.
* ''No Cameras'' ] - An Olympia resident writes about Corrie's death: , , , , , * ''No Cameras'' ] - An Olympia resident writes about her death: , , , , ,
* , an in-depth commentary by Joshua Hammer. * (in-depth commentary by Joshua Hammer)

<!--- these links are probably sufficient for our purposes (see Talk) --->

] ]
] ]

Revision as of 04:33, 24 October 2004

File:Rachelcorrie07.jpg
Rachel Corrie

Rachel Corrie (April 10, 1979 - March 16, 2003) was a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) who was hurt and killed by an Israeli soldier operated bulldozer while she was protesting Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes in Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

Her death sparked controversy because she was the first Western protester killed in the conflict and a U.S. citizen, and because of the highly politicized nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict; various advocates scrambled to blame it on the IDF, the ISM, the Palestinians, and on Corrie herself.

Background

Raised in Olympia, Washington, U.S.A., Rachel was the daughter of Craig Corrie, an insurance executive, and Cindy Corrie, a school volunteer and flautist. After graduating from Capitol High School, she went on to Evergreen State College, where she studied the arts and international relations. During college years, Corrie joined the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace and participated in various peace and environmental activities. In her senior year she took a leave of absence to participate in ISM organized peaceful demonstrations against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to initiate a sister city project between her hometown Olympia and the Palestinian city of Rafah.

Activities in Gaza

On January 18, 2003, Corrie travelled to the Gaza Strip, where she attended two days of training in non-violent resistance techniques and philosophy before joining other ISM activists in direct action for peace and against the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Through February and March she participated in a variety of actions including:

  • Protecting Palestinian civilians by placing herself between the Palestinians and the Israeli troops.
File:RachelFarRight.jpeg
Corrie protecting a Palestinian well
  • Protecting Palestinian wells from destruction by the Israeli army, by surrounding the wells as human shields. (see photo, left)
  • Demonstrating against the 2003 invasion of Iraq (as part of the Global pre-war protests), where she burned a paper-drawn US flag (but refused to burn an Israeli flag, stating that as a US citizen she could only bear responsibility for opposing US actions; see photo below.)
File:RachelBurnsFlag.jpeg
Corrie burning a paper-drawn US flag during a war protest

Corrie stated that she also served as a "human rights observer" of the actions of Israeli troops in the area. She documented the destruction of 25 greenhouses and the digging up of the road to Gaza City by the Israeli army. She also documented that Israeli soldiers fired shots at Rafah Municipal Water Authority workers attempting to rebuild the Canada Well and El Iskan Well, which were bulldozed by the Israeli military on January 30. During her stay, she communicated by e-mail with "Danny," a reserve first sergeant in the Israeli army, who asked her to "document as much as you can and do not embellish anything with creative writing." She also wrote about the smuggling tunnels in Gaza in her report: "Events Surrounding the Deaths of 2 Men in Tunnels beneath the Block O area" (see item 4.)

Corrie met and spoke with local Palestinians and spent several days and nights with Palestinian families in Rafah. In e-mails to her mother, she mentioned watching the cartoon Gummi Bears dubbed in Arabic and helping a Palestinian boy with his English homework. She was also involved in a children's pen pal program between the Gaza Strip and the U.S.

Corrie's death

File:RachelProtest.jpeg
Corrie hours before her death.

The Israeli military frequently used armored bulldozers to destroy buildings and farmland in Rafah, along the road near the border with Egypt, claiming that the demolitions were intended to uncover explosive devices and destroy smuggling tunnels. These demolitions were usually carried out under heavy fire from Palestinian militants, and the firefights sometimes resulted in Palestinian civilians killed. Many consider these Israeli actions to be a form of collective punishment in violation of international law, while many others see them as a legitimate measure of self-defense.

On March 16, 2003, Corrie was in a group of seven ISM activists (three British and four Americans) attempting to disrupt what they thought were house demolitions in Rafah, and the IDF claimed to be a clearing of debris and shrubbery to expose explosive devices.

The following is a description according to account of Joseph Smith, an ISM activist. The neutrality and reliability of his account are disputed.

Two armored bulldozers, supported by an armored combat engineering vehicle (CEV) and Israeli troops, were operating in the area that day. From 1:30pm, the peace activists began disrupting the demolitions by standing in front of bulldozers and shouting at the operators through a megaphone to stop the demolitions. Israeli soldiers used tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse the protesters, who later regrouped.

The ISM claims that its office informed the British and American embassies between 2:00pm and 3:00pm that Israeli army bulldozers were behaving aggressively and endangering the lives of protesters, but that embassies took no action.

According to eyewitness acounts, Corrie followed the standard technique of sitting, kneeling or standing on top of the pile of debris in front of the bulldozer. Several times that day, the bulldozers stopped directly at her feet.

File:RachelCorrie.jpeg
Corrie earlier that day

Corrie was wearing a high-visibility orange fluorescent jacket with reflective strips. She had been using a megaphone earlier in the day (see photo, left), but not at the time she was killed.

Around 4:45pm, Corrie was in front of a house where activists had stayed previously, owned by Dr. Samir Nasrallah, a Palestinian pharmacist, to prevent its expected demolition. Most other structures in the area had already been demolished by the Israeli army; Nasrallah's family home now stood alone in a sea of sand and debris .

Just before being killed, Corrie was on top of a pile of debris, about 15 meters from the bulldozer, looking at the driver's cabin (with 2 drivers inside). According to a photographer, she was sitting and waving her arms. The driver moved towards her, and at some point, Corrie stood up, then jumped or off the pile of rubble, possibly losing her footing or tripping at the bottom, possibly being knocked of balance by the moving earth. This may have obscured her from sight of the driver.

Other ISM activists started shouting at the bulldozer drivers to stop, pointing towards Corrie. But the bulldozer continued and the plow blade pushed her deep into the debris; the bulldozer continued moving forward until Corrie's body was beneath the driver cabin. The bulldozer then stopped, waited a few seconds, and then reversed direction. As the plow blade was still pressed down it scraped over Corrie's body a second time.

File:Corrie-after-crushing.jpg
Corrie immediately after being crushed

Corrie suffered massive injuries from the bulldozer blade. According to the autopsy report, her skull was fractured, ribs shattered and lungs punctured.

The bulldozers then withdrew and stopped far away. The tank with soldiers guarding the bulldozers approached the scene and activists shouted that Corrie had been run over and might die. The soldiers did not get out, ask any questions or offer any help; they talked on their radios, then withdrew and parked the tank between the bulldozers.

One activist ran to the Nasrallah's house to ask for his help and to call an ambulance. A Red Crescent ambulance arrived between 5:00pm and 5:15pm and the activists formed a shield around Palestinian ambulance workers (Palestinians claim that Israeli tanks had often fired at ambulance workers in the past .)

Corrie was taken to the local Al-Najar hospital where she was pronounced dead at 5:20pm (one witness said that she died while in the ambulance).

Others dispute this account and claim ISM's version is full of contradictions and misinformation. A major point of dispute is Rachel's interaction with the bulldozer and what really caused her death — a stroke from the blade or falling debris, or whether she was crushed under the bulldozer tracks and blade. Other points, such as Smith's claim that they heard the bulldozer driver shouting at them (Smith, section 16:00-16:45), are argued to indicate lack of credibility, since heavy bulldozers are very noisy equipment and operators are protected by thich glass and armor.

Cause of death

An initial autopsy was performed at the Israeli National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv. The Olympian reported that the autopsy report of March 20 concluded that Corrie's "death was caused by pressure on the chest from a mechanical apparatus".

Israel denied that she was run over, and explained that her injuries were caused by falling debris. The Jerusalem Post article on June 26, 2003 stated that "An autopsy found that the cause of Corrie’s death was falling debris".

Responsibility for Corrie's death

Several eyewitnesses charged that the bulldozer operator crushed Corrie deliberately and called her killing "a war crime." Israel claims that the killing was an accident.

The bulldozers had been in the area for two hours, and were certainly aware of the protesters and their activities. They had seen Corrie and stopped in front of her several times that day. Witness statements by fellow ISM activists indicate that Corrie would have been clearly visible to the drivers while she was standing on top of the pile of rubble in front of the driver. She was wearing a bright red reflective jacket at the time.

However, according to some who claim to have read unpublished reports of the Israeli military and judiciary, the drivers claimed that they never saw or heard Corrie.

Whether other Israeli soldiers from the armored support group saw Corrie and, if so, why they didn't react is unclear because their statements have not been published. Because Caterpillar D9 bulldozers have a restricted field of vision with several blind spots, the Israeli army regulations require other soldiers at the scene to assist in directing the bulldozer driver.

File:D9-idf pic214.jpg
Armoured bulldozers have limited visibility.

The Israel army commander of Gaza Strip claimed in an interview to the Israeli TV that soldiers had to stay in their armored vehicles and could not direct the bulldozer or arrest the protesters because of a potential threat of Palestinian snipers. He also speculated that Israeli soldiers may have been handling other ISM activists instead of watching over the bulldozer. However, critics point out that soldiers had intervened that day to disperse the activists, and the four ISM activists in the vicinity were not "handled" by soldiers at that time.


The Israeli government had promised a "thorough, credible, and transparent investigation." Later, however, Israel declared the killing a "regrettable accident" and blamed it on Corrie and ISM activists, but refused to release investigation reports or any other information, even to the U.S.. Israel allowed only two American embassy staffers to read selected parts. Commenting on the report, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission in Tel Aviv Richard LeBaron said that "there are several inconsistencies worthy of note."

The ISM rejected the Israeli report stating it was contrary to eyewitness reports. Tom Wallace, an ISM spokesman, said that the Israel’s investigation had been far from credible and transparent.

On March 25, 2003, U.S. Representative Brian Baird introduced a bill, "H.R. 111", in the U.S. Congress calling on the U.S. government to "undertake a full, fair, and expeditious investigation into the death of Rachel Corrie." The bill, however, has languished there and has little chance of passage.

The Corrie family continues to call for a U.S. investigation into Rachel's death.

Reactions to Corrie's death

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Palestinian memorial

Capt. Jacob Dallal, a spokesman for the Israeli army, called the incident a "regrettable accident," but said Corrie and the other ISM activists were "a group of protesters who were acting very irresponsibly, putting everyone in danger - the Palestinians, themselves and our forces - by intentionally placing themselves in a combat zone."

On March 17, Amnesty International USA condemned the death and called for an independent inquiry. Christine Bustany, their Advocacy Director for the Middle East, said that "US-made bulldozers have been 'weaponized' and their transfer to Israel must be suspended". Her death has been condemned as the murder of a US civilian by many of Corrie's supporters who have contrasted US government silence over Corrie's death to condemnation of the killing of three US diplomats, allegedly by The Popular Resistance Committees, a Palestinian militant faction, in 2003. Her picture continues to be used in protests against Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

On March 18, there was a memorial service at the place where Corrie died, attended by between 40 and 100 people, including Samir Masri. The service was interrupted by an Israeli APC which fired tear gas and concussion grenades. A Palestinian couple (Salah and Rania Noureddine) named their newborn child Rachel Corrie saying that their daughter would be "a symbol for them and all honest people in the Arab world."

Peace vigil in Olympia

On April 25, 15 people, including British citizens Asif Hanif and Omar Khan Sharif, met at an ISM apartment in Rafah, Gaza and then proceeded to the site of Corrie's death, where they placed a flower. Five days later Hanif and Sharif carried out a suicide bombing of the Mike's Place restaurant in Tel Aviv, killing three civilians. The Israeli government then imposed new restrictions on ISM activities based upon the presence of the two bombers at the Corrie memorial.

In Rafah and elsewhere in the Palestinian territories, portrait posters of Corrie were plastered to walls, with accompanying slogans such as "Rachel did not die. She lives in our hearts." She is one of the few non-Arabs to be treated in this way. On 15 July 2003, the Chicago Tribune reported that "to the people of Rafah, Rachel Corrie will always remain a very special martyr, their American martyr".

An official investigation of the event by IDF in mid April found that Corrie and other ISM members had engaged in "illegal, irresponsible and dangerous" behavior, and that Israeli forces were not at fault. The IDF said that it intends to implement changes to avoid future accidents, including arresting activists or forcing them to disperse, and installing video cameras on bulldozers to cover blindspots. This report has not been made public. Corrie's parents were permitted to read it, but not to receive a copy. The description of the conclusions of the report in this article are therefore based on secondary sources.


External links and references

File:RachelHooded.jpeg
In Gaza

Israeli reports

Here are some reports with quotes from the various Israeli reports into Corrie's death (the reports themselves have not been made public):

Commentary and link lists

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