Solidarity Movement's Statement on Bulldozed Protestor Rachel Corrie

The International Solidarity Movement Website ^ | 3-16-03 | The International Solidarity Movement

[Knuckle Sandwich Combo]

Rachel Corrie, 23, was killed on 16 March when she was run over by an Israeli bulldozer. Rachel was trying to stop the bulldozer from demolishing the home of a Palestinian doctor in the Gaza Strip. Our hearts go out to her family and friends

A clearly marked Rachel Corey, holding a megaphone, confronts an Israeli bulldozer driver attempting to demolish a Palestinian home, Rafah, Occupied Gaza, 16 March 2003. (ISM Handout)

Other peace activists tend to Rachel after being injured by the Israeli bulldozer driver, Rafah, Occupied Gaza, 16 March 2003. (ISM Handout)

Rachel lies on the ground after being fatally injured by the Israeli bulldozer, Rafah, Occupied Gaza 16 March 2003 (ISM Handout)

Rachel in Najjar hostpital, Rafah, Occupied Gaza. Ha'aretz newspaper reported that Dr. Ali Musa, a doctor at Al-Najjar, stated that the cause of death was "skull and chest fractures". ( Mohammad Al-Moghair)

Colleagues of Rachel comfort each other in Najjar hostpital, Rafah, Occupied Gaza. Ha'aretz newspaper reported that a second activist was also injured at the same location. (Mohammad Al-Moghair)

Rafah:  Rachel Corrie Murdered by Israeli Army

At about 5.20 pm today Rachel Corrie from Olympia in Washington State, USA died of her injuries in A-Najar Hospital in Rafah after being deliberately run over by an Israeli military bulldozer.

Rachel had been working as an ISM activist in Rafah for seven weeks when she was killed trying to prevent the demolition of Palestinian homes and property in the Hi Salaam area of Rafah. 

The confrontation between the ISM and the Israeli Army had been under way for two hours when Rachel was run over.  Rachel and the other activists had clearly identified themselves as unarmed international peace activists throughout the confrontation.

The Israeli Army are attempting to dishonour her memory by claiming that Rachel was killed accidentally when she ran in front of the bulldozer.  Eye-witnesses to the murder insist that this is totally untrue.  Rachel was sitting in the path of the bulldozer as it advanced towards her.  When the bulldozer refused to stop or turn aside she climbed up onto the mound of dirt and rubble being gathered in front of it wearing a fluorescent jacket to look directly at the driver who kept on advancing.  The bulldozer continued to advance so that she was pulled under the pile of dirt and rubble.  After she had disappeared from view the driver kept advancing until the bulldozer was completely on top of her.  The driver did not lift the bulldozer blade and so she was crushed beneath it.  Then the driver backed off and the seven other ISM activists taking part in the action rushed to dig out her body.  An ambulance rushed her to A-Najar hospital where she died.

Rachel joins 1,900 Palestinians who have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers since September 2000

[CatoRenasci]

Well, you stand in the way of bulldozer with a job to do, and there's a real chance you won't win the confrontation.

The hubris of these peace activists is astounding! As if their lives are so important that Israeli troops will abandon their mission because of the activists presence! What self-absorption! What idiocy!

[Knuckle Sandwich Combo]

[friendly]

The Israeli Army (claimed) Rachel was killed accidentally when she ran in front of the bulldozer.

The photo shows the bulldozer just ran over her. Darwin says: "Sometimes when you stand your ground, you end up in the ground."

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Her final words:

"HOLD MUH BEER..."

[tessalu]

I am going to save my sympathy for someone else.

[Texas_Jarhead]

man, that's rough. She played poker with a dozer and her bluff was called. Hope she was right with God. A prayer for her family.

[Reactionary]

This sentimental piece should be entitled "Ode to a Leftist Idiot."

[Drango]

Yeah well look at this way. Wherever she is in the afterlife, she can be used as one of the 70 virgins promised to the brave suicide martyrs.

Don't worry about the fact that she may NOT be a virgin. I'm sure the guys won't mind having their way with her.

[Knuckle Sandwich Combo]

"The real terrorists are in the United States and Israel" --- Rachel Corrie

[MinuteGal]

Actually, her final words were "Hold muh bier".

Leni

[FreedomCalls]

It's not a game. It's not a sorority initiation. It's not a vacation.

It's real. It's a combat zone. You will die if you get in the way.

Any questions?

[Pushi]

My mama taught me to come in out of the rain and also to stay out of the way.

[motexva]

Would this idiot have "shielded" Israeli children from a suicide bomber's blast? Probably not.

Oh well, that's what bulldozers do - get rid of debris.

[BossLady]

This is a sad story!

I am just wondering why people think they can go over to other countries, stand in the streets and protest, stand in front of a bulldozer with a bullhorn and it be tolerated! They think they can enjoy the SAME freedoms we have here....hmmmmm....maybe these people should think about that for a minute......or two.......

[Knuckle Sandwich Combo]

From the ISM website:

The conditions here are abhorrent, the violence is disgusting, and everyone is trying to survive and resist against odds that seem overwhelming…

Meanwhile...Yassir Arafat is listed recently as one of the richest men in the world and his wife had a very hectic day shopping in Paris.

[travelnurse]

Colleagues of Rachel comfort each other in Najjar hostpital, Rafah, Occupied Gaza. Ha'aretz newspaper reported that a second activist was also injured at the same location. (Mohammad Al-Moghair)

---

Reality of war hits home.

[Texas_Jarhead]

I don't seem that thinking is their forte.