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Corrie family statement on Israeli Supreme Court dismissal: ‘This decision amounts to judicial sanction of immunity for Israeli military forces’

Statement from Corrie family in response to the Israeli Supreme Court’s Dismissal of Appeal in Wrongful Death of Rachel Corrie

February 12, 2015

Today we received word from our attorneys that the Supreme Court of Israel dismissed our appeal in the wrongful death case of our daughter and sister Rachel Corrie.  Our family is disappointed but not surprised. We had hoped for a different outcome, though we have come to see through this experience how deeply all of Israel’s institutions are implicated in the impunity enjoyed by the Israeli military.

It will take some time before we have ability to read the decision in English and to process all the court has said. 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.

The Supreme Court decision ignores international law arguments regarding the protection of civilians and human rights defenders in armed conflict and grossly violates the internationally recognized right to effective remedy.

The court has determined that our separate case against Dr. Yehuda Hiss and Abu Kabir Institute, regarding inappropriate ways in which Rachel’s autopsy was conducted, may go forward in the lower court. We continue to be appalled that it requires a lawsuit to have a truthful accounting of what occurred, and complete repatriation of Rachel’s remains. Decisions as to next steps will be made by the family in consultation with our attorneys.

Despite the verdict, our family remains convinced we were correct in bringing this case forward.  The day after Rachel was killed, Prime Minister Sharon promised President Bush a thorough, credible and transparent investigation. Clearly, that standard was not met. The U.S. government continues to call for such an investigation by Israel.  A civil lawsuit cannot substitute for an impartial investigation, but it is the only process through which a family can discover more information and move forward when governments fail to act.

Rachel’s case provides yet another example of how the Israeli justice system is failing to provide accountability. 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.

We are immensely grateful to our attorney Hussein Abu Hussein and to his entire legal team for the decade of work they have contributed to Rachel’s case, and continue to provide.  We are grateful to all of our friends in Palestine, Israel, and elsewhere, who in so many different ways have supported our efforts.

We have taken this path for Rachel, the daughter and sister we love, lost, and miss. Her spirit lives. She has inspired all of our actions and will continue to do so.

———–

For the Supreme Court Decision (in Hebrew) see: http://elyon1.court.gov.il/files/12/820/069/v11/12069820.v11.pdf

For more information about the trial visit: http://rachelcorriefoundation.org/trial

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Bless you all, and your attorney attorney Hussein Abu Hussein and to his legal team. I am deeply sorry that the Supreme Court of Israel is so comfortable with condoning murder and suppression of truth, but that is what Israel has become. An armed criminal state, devoid of democracy.

“Rachel’s case provides yet another example of how the Israeli justice system is failing to provide accountability. 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 tenants of international justice. ”

Israel will be held accountable~ sooner rather than later, I think. There are many all around the world that are weary of their actions and their impunity.

We will never forget Rachel or you. Rachel is a personal hero of mine, and when I tell her story to others, she inspires.

“Her spirit lives. She has inspired all of our actions and will continue to do so.”

amen

Regarding this statement, “we have come to see through this experience how deeply all of Israel’s institutions are implicated in the impunity enjoyed by the Israeli military,” I would add that we have come to see how deeply the U.S. is implicated as well.

But regarding Rachel, I can only echo your words, “Her spirit lives. She has inspired all of our actions and will continue to do so.” May her memory and inspiration be a blessing and a source of strength to her family, and to us all.

This is such a heartbreaking situation for the poor Corrie family, first they lose their precious child, and then they get no justice for her horrible death, nor support from their own country.
I don’t know how much help they received from the congress people, but then who has any faith that they will stand up for you against the masters they serve?

It sees Elie Weisel has gone over to the dark side. He support Booby man’s speech:

“Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel lends support to Netanyahu’s Congress speech
Newspaper ads call on Americans to hear the Israeli prime minister’s case ‘for keeping weapons from those who preach death to Israel’ and the U.S.

“REUTERS – Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel is lending his support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s March 3 speech to Congress on the dangers of Iran’s nuclear program – an address that has antagonized the White House and divided American Jews.

An outspoken New Jersey Orthodox rabbi, Shmuley Boteach, said on Thursday he is placing full-page advertisements in two of the leading U.S. newspapers, The New York Times and The Washington Post, featuring Wiesel’s endorsement of Netanyahu’s speech.

Blindsided by the invitation that Republicans in Congress extended to Netanyahu, President Barack Obama has declined to meet the Israeli leader, citing what he has said is U.S. protocol not to meet world leaders before national elections, due to take place in Israel on March 17.

The advertisement quotes Wiesel as saying he plans to attend Netanyahu’s address “on the catastrophic danger of a nuclear Iran.” Awarded the Nobel in 1986, Wiesel asks Obama and others in the ad: “Will you join me in hearing the case for keeping weapons from those who preach death to Israel and America?”

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.642349

Que pasa, Elie Wiesel?

The gutlessness and disloyalty of the American political class boggles the mind.