Ten years ago today American activist Rachel Corrie was killed by an Israeli Caterpillar D9 bulldozer as she tried to protect a Palestinian home from demolition in Rafah, Gaza. Her death, and selfless act of heroism, has galvanized and inspired millions worldwide in the decade since her death.
Rachel Corrie
For me her death will always be intertwined with the rush to war in Iraq. Coming at the height of the second intifada, it was a moment that helped shape me and draw connections between militarism and occupation, between resistance and solidarity. I never met Rachel but her life has influenced me profoundly. Here is a report from a protest I helped with at the time in the days just before the U.S. attacked Iraq. It’s amazing to think that was ten years ago and of everything that has transpired since then. Although much has changed in that time, the situation Rachel was protesting when she was killed remains very much the same.
Throughout the last ten years Corrie’s parents – Cindy and Craig – have been a bedrock for the Palestine solidarity movement in the U.S. They were somehow able to take their loss, their pain, and build a flourishing movement for justice and accountability, not just for Rachel but also for the people of Gaza. In August, on the eve of an Israeli court decision in the Corrie’s civil lawsuit against the state of Israel, I wrote, “the persistence, strength and grace of the Corrie family has a power all its own, and has moved everyone who has had the chance to meet them.” They have never exploited Rachel’s death, or their own pain, but rather picked up Rachel’s baton and took on her struggle as their own.
As the Corrie’s surely will use this anniversary to grieve, they are also using it to say thank you and urge all those touched by Rachel to continue struggling. Yesterday her father Craig Corrie shared a request for President Obama as he heads to Israel/Palestine next week. Writing in The Hill Corrie says ‘ten years on I want answers for my daughter Rachel Corrie“:
On March 16, 2003, my daughter Rachel Corrie was crushed to death under a bulldozer driven by an Israel Defense Forces soldier. The bulldozer was manufactured in the United States by Caterpillar, Inc. and paid for by U.S. foreign military financing aid. My tax dollars paid for the machine used to kill my daughter . . .
What then would I ask President Obama to do as he makes his way to Israel and Palestine this month? Assure Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas alike that we will stand with them for the just aspirations of all their citizens, including the equal recognition to their right to be free of threats to their homes, families, farmland, and future. Explain that the U.S. will no longer support financially or diplomatically the apartheid system embodied in the occupation of Palestine and in the treatment of Palestinian citizens of Israel. Remind them that security cannot come at the expense of the other, but only with the participation of both. Rather than giving license to a government’s most violent instincts by repeating endlessly that Israel has a right to defend itself – ignoring that Palestinians also have that right – call instead for the courage of each side to live by the ceasefires negotiated but left unsigned or ignored.
President Obama should refuse to continue U.S. military and diplomatic support until Israel gives truthful answers to our questions, not just for U.S. citizens like Rachel and Furkan Dogan, but for all the civilians killed or maimed using U.S.-funded weapons. Use this trip to a deeply troubled and divided place to remind the world that Americans believe all people “are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Then, make this first principle of America’s existence the foundation of his foreign policy for the next four years.
It must be very hard to lose a child. And even harder to read the lies about how the child was killed.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/i-think-about-her-all-the-time-i-worry-that-when-i-get-home-i-m-going-to-fall-apart-1.1327940
The long, expensive trial shouldered by Rachel’s parents in Israel was such a travesty of justice (with the Corries seeking $1 in compensation). And the US government has done nothing about it, although it is on record as telling the Corries Israel’s investigation left much to be desired. Ditto re Furkan Dogan (or less).
Rachel said BDS was huge, and I bet she’s in heaven if there is one, watching it grow, reminding herself how drastically long it took for the US government to get behind the similar movement against apartheid S Africa.
The clean, clear goodness and humanity of the Corries and their cause just outshines everything same as we see with Ms Korotzer here: https://mondoweiss.mystagingwebsite.com/2013/03/korotzer-cleansing-genocide.html
If the US mainstream press would allow them to speak on cable TV news, directly to the American people, things would change much more quickly. I think the American mainstream press is a total disaster, nothing but a propaganda arm for Israel’s worst instincts. Partnering with our campaign finance system, I can see why one would run up the American flag up-side down.
Please go to The Hill and register a comment. Lots of congress critters read The Hill.
What dedicated parents who sought and are still seeking justice for their daughters murder and now so deeply involved with seeking justice for the Palestinian people. They are trying to wake people up.
I had the great honor of walking down the street holding hands with Cindy Corrie at one of the Move over Aipac now occupy Aipac gatherings in D. C. I spent about 20 minutes with her, She is has the aura an essence of a radical truth telling angel on earth with a soft, clear, concrete message about the illegal occupation, During the event someone asked her “are you sorry your daughter was protesting the occupation that day” Cindy “no I am sorry we were not all there with her standing for justice.”
Had a great success getting one of the Aipac attendees Micheal from Columbus who had been over at the protest across the street with us interacting with Medea etc (who gave him a spot on the speaking stage as well as other Aipac attendees) to interact and talk with Cindy Corrie when we were across the street in front of the D.C. convention center where the conference was being held. I saw Micheal and asked him if he would like to come and have a chat with Cindy Corrie (explained to him what had happened to Rachel) and he agreed. I made introductions stayed for a minute or two and walked away so they could talk. Micheal looked earnest while (I kept looking over from a distance trying to read the body language) listening to Cindy she of course could tame a wild horse and had him spell bound with her truth telling. If he really listened to Cindy it had to change his life
on yet another people?
syrians this time?
u. s. of a. to use drones?
is there anyone left who still believes that america isn’t into empire?
oh but it’s never (better, hardly ever) been into colonies, settlements & such?
why would it?
drones more than suffice?