The trial for Rachel Corrie, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) activist killed in 2003, resumes in the Israeli city of Haifa on 5 September.

A civil lawsuit against the state of Israel commenced in the Haifa District Court in March 2010, during which time the Corrie family presented witnesses, including ISM activists and British citizens Richard Purssell and Tom Dale. Both were with Rachel on 16 March 2003, when she was crushed by an Israeli army Caterpillar D9R bulldozer, while nonviolently demonstrating against Palestinian home demolitions with fellow ISM activists in the Gaza city Rafah. She died of her injuries after being evacuated by ambulance.

"Seven years after my daughter Rachel was killed, I was finally able to hear Rachel's friends, who were with her, testify in a court of law. Despite some disheartening procedural challenges, we remain hopeful that the truth about what happened to Rachel will be revealed, and that the people responsible for her killing will be held accountable," said Rachel's mother Cindy Corrie, during the hearings.

During the eyewitness hearings, however, the state attorneys spent most of their time cross-examining the eyewitnesses about the ISM and their purpose in Rafah, and relatively little time ascertaining what actually happened to Rachel Corrie.

The courtroom was filled with local and international reporters, human rights observers and three representatives from the U.S. Embassy, including Consul General. The family also met with Antony Blinken, the Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, who reconfirmed the long-standing U.S. Government position that there has not been a thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into Rachel's case. They reiterated the U.S. Government's endorsement of pursuing justice for Rachel through the Israeli court system. Embassy staff will continue to attend the trial.

"I continue to be humbled by the steadfast dedication to nonviolent support for all of our human rights demonstrated by Rachel's friends, not just seven years ago in Rafah, but again today in Haifa," said Craig Corrie, Rachel's father.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported earlier this year that, based on army documents, the Military Police interrogation of a key suspect in the killing was cut short by GOC Southern, Maj. Gen. Doron Almog.

"It's now 18:12. Maj (res.) K entered the interrogation room and told the witness he must not say anything or write anything, by a direct order from GOC Southern Command. I confirm this occurred and I sign this in my hand," the recording officer wrote, adding his signature, and concluding the interrogation.

"Prior to the intervention the soldier was describing the moment he understood Rachel Corrie had been hurt, insisting he could not see her from the driver's cabin," reported Haaretz.

"This makes it absolutely clear there was at least an attempt, no matter how ineffective, to intervene in the investigation," the Corries' attorney, Hussein Abu Hussein told Haaretz. "The documents prove it, black on white, that there was an attempt to prevent the bulldozer driver from giving a full testimony on the circumstances in which the deceased was killed."

When the trail resumes in September, the state will present its witnesses. Thirteen affidavits have been submitted, including those of the bulldozer driver who ran over Rachel and other military personnel who were involved in the
 incident. The trial will continue through 21 October.

31 August 2010

Tania Kepler for the Alternative Information Center (AIC)

http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/2839-trial-...