Report: Rachel Corrie's parents to seek compensation from Israel
Seven years after American left-wing activist was run over by IDF bulldozer while trying to prevent demolition of Palestinian home in Gaza, her parents expected to sue Israeli Defense Ministry
The family of American activist Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an IDF bulldozer in Gaza seven years ago, is expected to file a civil suit over her death against the Israeli Defense Ministry in about two weeks, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
Hearings in the case are set to commence on March 10 in Haifa.
According to the British newspaper's website, four key witnesses – three Britons and an American – who were at the scene in Rafah when Corrie was killed will give evidence. The four were all members of the International Solidarity Movement, the activist group to which Corrie belonged, and have since been denied entry to Israel. However, the Guardian reported, under apparent US pressure the Israeli government has agreed to allow them entry so they can testify.
Corrie's parents, Cindy and Craig, will also fly to Israel for the hearing, The Guardian reported. A Palestinian doctor who treated Corrie after she was injured and later confirmed her death has not been given permission by Israel to leave Gaza to attend the hearing in Haifa.
Israeli human rights attorney Abu Hussein was quoted by The Guardian as saying there was evidence from witnesses that soldiers saw Corrie at the scene, with other activists, well before the incident and could have detained or cleared her from the area.
"After her death the military began an investigation but unfortunately, as in most of these cases, it found the activity of the army was legal and there was no intentional killing," he told The Guardian. "We would like the court to decide her killing was due to wrong-doing or was intentional." If the Israeli state is found responsible, the family will press for damages, according to the report.
Corrie entered Gaza to act as a human shield and prevent the razing of a Palestinian home. She was crushed under an IDF Caterpillar bulldozer and died shortly afterwards. She was 23-years-old.
An IDF investigation determined that the soldiers were not to blame and said the driver of the bulldozer had not seen her and did not intentionally run her over. The army accused Corrie and the International Solidarity Movement of "illegal, irresponsible and dangerous" behavior.
