Download this press release: English (pdf, 49.42 kB), Español (pdf, 59.41 kB)

Thirteen affidavits have been submitted by the State, including those from both the driver and commander in the bulldozer that ran over Corrie, and from other military personnel involved.

“As the trial in the killing of our daughter Rachel resumes in Haifa, we look forward to hearing from the State’s witnesses,” said Rachel’s father, Craig Corrie. “For seven years our family has asked the Government of Israel to provide a complete, credible, and truthful explanation for the killing of our daughter. We hope and demand they will take this opportunity to provide one.”

Cindy Corrie added,”If the peace process unfolding in Washington, D.C. is to have any hope of success, the pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice for all the suffering that has occurred in this land must proceed with determination. We look forward to that happening in Rachel’s case.”

The lawsuit charges that Rachel Corrie’s killing was intentional. Alternately, it charges that the Israeli government is responsible for negligence of Israeli soldiers and military commanders who acted recklessly using an armored military bulldozer without due regard and due diligence to presence of unarmed and nonviolent civilians and who failed to take appropriate and necessary measures to protect Rachel’s life, in violation of obligations under Israeli and international law.

The government of Israel argues that Rachel Corrie’s killing took place in the course of armed conflict in a closed military zone and should be considered an “Act of War,” or “War Operation,” absolving soldiers responsible from liability under Israeli law. The government argued for dismissal stating that the Israeli government is immune from such a lawsuit based on controversial legal theory that actions of the Israeli army in Rafah, Gaza, should be considered “Acts of State.” Finally, the Israeli government argues that Rachel Corrie acted in reckless disregard of her life and was responsible for her own death.

“After seven years Rachel Corrie’s family will have the chance to hear the testimonies of those who were responsible for her death,” said Attorney Hussein abu Hussein, who represents the family. “This civil trial is an important step to hold accountable not only those who failed to protect Rachel’s life but also the flawed system of military investigations which is neither impartial nor thorough.”

Court dates are currently set for September 5, 6, and 21 and October 7, 17, and 18 before Judge Oded Gershon at the Haifa, District Court, 12 Palyam St., Haifa, Israel. All trial sessions are currently scheduled from 9:00-16:00. See any changes to the schedule and register to receive further press releases at rachelcorriefoundation.org.

For press related inquiries and further information please contact:
stacy@rachelcorriefoundation.org
Phone (Israel): 972-52-952-2143

There is a Field

This October marks the ten-year anniversary of “Black October.” As the second Intifada erupted in the West Bank and Gaza, demon- strations also began in Arab villages and towns inside Israel. In October 2000, twelve Palestinian citizens of Israel were killed in these demonstrations by Israeli security forces.

One of those killed was a seventeen-year old boy named Aseel Asleh. Aseel was shot point blank in the neck by Israeli police at a demonstration outside his village. No eyewitnesses, including the Israeli policemen at the scene, claimed that Aseel had been violent in anyway. He was dead before reaching the hospital. Aseel had been a leading participant in a peace program called Seeds of Peace. He was wearing his Seeds of Peace t-shirt at the time of his killing and was buried in it.

There is a Field is a play about Aseel’s life and his death, through the perspective of his older sister, Nardeen. The playwright, Jen Marlowe, knew Aseel personally, and became close to his family following his killing. Jen worked with Aseel’s older sister, Nar- deen, and other members of the Asleh family on There is a Field for seven years. The play is entirely culled from interviews with Nardeen and other members of Aseel’s family, emails written between Aseel and Nardeen, emails between Aseel and his friends from Seeds of Peace, and transcripts from the Israeli government commission of inquiry established to investigate the killing of twelve Palestinian citizens during October 2000.

There is a Field also addresses the larger struggles facing Palestinians inside Israel. The ten-year anniversary of Black October, cou- pled with There is a Field, offers an important opportunity to inject these issues into the wider Israel/Palestine discourse.

When: Monday, October 25
Where: TBA (check back soon, or join the mailing list for updates)

This program is presented by The Rachel Corrie Foundation & donkeysaddle projects.

As many of you know, a civil lawsuit in the case of our daughter Rachel Corrie commenced in Haifa District Court in March 2010. Our family presented its witnesses during this first half of the trial.

On September 5, 2010, the trial resumes in Haifa and will continue until October 21. In this phase, the state will present its witnesses. Thirteen affidavits have been submitted, including those of the driver and commander in the bulldozer that ran over Rachel, and other military personnel who were involved in the incident.

Our family found enormous support in the strong presence of human rights activists, legal observers, and other friends in the courtroom throughout the initial portion of the trial. We hope that some of you are able to attend during this second half as well. Not only is it encouraging to us to see supporters in the courtroom, but it also sends the message that Rachel’s case continues to be closely monitored and that truth, justice and accountability matter to everyone who has been touched by the occupation, be they Palestinians, Israelis or internationals.

Many thanks to the volunteer translators who generously supported us in court in March. We are again seeking help from those fluent in Hebrew and English who can help us follow the upcoming witness testimonies and court proceedings. If you are available to help translate on any of the dates below, please contact Jen Marlowe at translate [at] rachelcorriefoundation.org.

Dates for Corrie Trial
September 5, 6, 21
October 7, 17, 18, 21

All days are currently scheduled from 9am – 4pm at the Haifa District Court (12 Palyam St) with the honorable Judge Oded Gershon presiding.

Please check the Foundation website the evening before a court date for any changes to the schedule.

Thank you once again for all your support over the past seven years, and in advance of your help during this next stage of our pursuit for justice and accountability. We look forward to connecting with you in September and October in Haifa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors has decided to boycott Israeli goods at their two locations in Olympia, Washington. At a July 15th meeting packed with Co-op members, the Board reached this consensus. The Co-op becomes the first US grocery store to publicly join the international grassroots movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) on Israel for its human rights abuses.

Co-op board member Rob Richards explained, “My hope is that by being the first in the US to adopt the boycott we act as a catalyst for other co-ops to join in. Each additional organizational entity that joins may have a very small effect on the big picture, but drop by drop fills the tub.”

Noah Sochet, a Co-op member and Olympia BDS organizer adds, “As a US citizen and as a Jew, I’m proud to say that my Co-op no longer underwrites the suffering in Palestine.”

In accordance with its mission statement, the Olympia Food Co-op has a longstanding boycott policy, which includes a boycott of China (for its occupation of Tibet) and a previous boycott of Colorado (for legalizing discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in 1992). The Co-op also has policies for rejecting items whose packaging feature exploitive or oppressive imagery.

One Israeli product is exempt from the boycott: “Peace Oil,” a brand of olive oil fairly traded from Palestinian farmers in the West Bank and the Galilee, will continue to be carried by the Co-op.

The boycott follows on the heels of a similarly historic event at the nearby Evergreen State College. On June 2, students at the Olympia-based college voted overwhelmingly to approve two resolutions calling on the college’s foundation to divest from companies profiting from the Israeli occupation of Palestine, as well as calling on the college to ban the use of Caterpillar equipment due to Caterpillar’s complicity in Israeli war crimes. The college is the alma mater of Rachel Corrie, who was killed by a weaponized Caterpillar bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003.

News of the boycott has drawn praise from around the world, including in Israel. “I salute the great work of the people in Olympia,” said Yonatan Shapira, an Israeli Air Force captain and co-founder of Combatants for Peace. “The decision taken by the Olympia Food Co-op is an important step toward just peace for all people living in Israel/Palestine. It is also a step toward accountability for Israel’s murder of Rachel Corrie.”

The BDS movement began in 2005 when over 170 Palestinian civil society organizations in Israel and in Palestine issued a call for the nonviolent tactic of BDS on Israel until the country abides by international law and human rights standards. The BDS call has become an international movement, endorsed by renowned figures such as Desmond Tutu, Naomi Klein, and Alice Walker. The Co-op boycott comes two months after Italy’s largest supermarket chains, COOP and Nordiconad, declared a boycott of products exported by Israeli Carmel Agrexco.

Israel has responded to the BDS movement by arresting prominent Palestinian endorsers. The Knesset is currently considering legislation to outlaw endorsement of BDS by Israelis.

Craig and Cindy Corrie

Cindy and I are very pleased to see that the third annual Rachel Corrie Memorial Ramadan Football Tournament will be held again this August, insha’Allah.

The organizers – Rachel’s friends, who are now our friends – deserve all the support we can give them as they bring players and fans to Unity Field for friendly games of soccer. Last September, we were delayed for two days at the Gaza-Egyptian border and missed the final game of the 2009 tournament; but we had the pleasure of joining in the stands for the closing youth day festivities. Of all the ways to break the siege, sending in a bit of fun that fosters community may be one of the most important.

Please join our family in supporting the 2010 Rachel Corrie Memorial Ramadan Football Tournament.

You can support the Tournament with an online donation here.

Or send your tax-deductible check, made out to “Rachel Corrie Foundation” to:

Rachel Corrie Foundation
203 East Fourth Ave., Suite 307
Olympia, WA 98501
(Please indicate “Soccer Tournament” in the memo line.)

- Craig Corrie, for Rachel’s family

From the organizers
It’s that time of year again. Ramadan is right around the corner and that means the folks in Rafah, Gaza are busy planning the 2010 Rachel Corrie Ramadan Soccer Tournament!

Join us as we reach over the high walls surrounding Gaza and break the siege by supporting this great community-developed Ramadan event.

Its success depends on us. Please consider helping us meet our fundraising goal of $10,000 by making a donation today.

For all the details please visit GazaLife.org.

With deep appreciation,
Adnan Abu Al Sa’ud
Khaled Nasrallah
John Harvey
Andrew Ford Lyons
Tournament Coordinators

The Third Annual Rachel Corrie Ramadan Soccer Tournament 2010

What: A community football tournament at the Unity Youth Field, in the Yebna neighborhood of Rafah, Gaza.

Why: Cut off from the world by a brutal siege, the people of the Gaza strip live with hunger, massive unemployment and frequent attacks by the Israeli army. Extreme vulnerability and insecurity, coupled with bleak prospects for the future, feeds hopelessness and rage, with the youth being particularly vulnerable. This innovative, community-developed football tournament gives neighbors a chance to strengthen bonds and relieve the stress caused by the dire situation.

When: The month of Ramadan, the 11th of August through the 9th of September.

Fundraiser Target: $10,000 U.S.

Fundraiser Ends: August 15th

Financial oversight provided by: The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice

This Year’s Event Includes:

• Kids Day: Races, Prizes, Under 13 match
• Youth Tournament: Ages 16 -17
• Adult tournament: Ages 18- 40

Magan Wiles portrays Rachel Corrie

St. Louis’ Blue Rose Stage Collective launched their staging of My Name Is Rachel Corrie to excellent reviews. The group performs the play Thursday July 15 – Saturday July 17 with discussions following each performance. For more information, contact the Collective: 314-779-4148, bluerosestage@gmail.com.

“My Name is Rachel Corrie,” which makes its St. Louis debut with the new troupe Blue Rose Stage Collective, is neither boring nor preachy. It’s the rare one-actor show that manages to be engaging and thought-provoking from start to finish.
- Gabe Hartwig, St. Louis Today

Whether your political views favor one side or the other in the continuing conflict between Israel and Palestine, you’re sure to find Blue Rose Stage Collective’s debut presentation of My Name is Rachel Corrie to be a provocative and compelling piece of theatre.
- Broadway World, St. Louis

The parents of Rachel Corrie, the US activist killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza in 2003, have paid tribute to those who attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade on a ship named after their daughter.

Activists, including several from Ireland, who last month set sail for Gaza onboard the aid-laden MV Rachel Corrie , were today returning to their home countries after Israeli forces intercepted the vessel on Saturday and towed it to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Those onboard the Irish-owned ship had earlier rejected a proposal to discharge the cargo at Ashdod, and insisted they would continue on to Gaza. Days before, an Israeli commando raid on an aid flotilla sailing ahead of the vessel had resulted in the deaths of nine activists.

Cindy Corrie said those on board the MV Rachel Corrie were “courageous” in their determination to continue their journey. “They hold such a warm place in my heart because I have seen the work that they do, I know how important it is, and what amazing individuals they are. I feel so connected to their efforts,” she told The Irish Times .

“I applaud them for not agreeing to turn the boat into Ashdod port, because clearly the intention of their efforts is not just to bring humanitarian aid – while that aid is tremendously important – but also to challenge this ongoing, illegal siege of Gaza.”

It was “humbling” that the vessel bore her daughter’s name, Mrs Corrie said. “I know it would be humbling for Rachel too. She wanted more than anything to bring attention to what she was seeing. She went to Gaza to be a witness.”

Ms Corrie was 23 when she was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer as she and other protesters were trying to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes. Her writings – published posthumously – and a play about her life have made her a rallying figure for pro-Palestinian activists.

“I think Rachel would feel that if her name helps, if her story helps to continue to bring attention to what is happening, to continue to encourage people to take action right now to improve things for people in Gaza, she would be supportive of that,” added Mrs Corrie.

The Corrie family now run the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice in their hometown of Olympia, Washington.

Mr Corrie said their thoughts were with the families of those killed during the attack on the flotilla last Monday. “Our hearts go out to them. We have some understanding of what they are going through in these days and the days that will follow.” The couple, who visited Gaza twice last year, said they hoped the renewed international focus as a result of the events of the past week would bring further pressure on Israel to lift its blockade. “I feel very strongly that this is a watershed,” said Mrs Corrie.

“I think the world has awakened this week in a way that is different to before. I think now it is up to all of us to ensure that there is a very determined and continuing effort to keep attention on what is happening, and to end this terrible siege of Gaza.”

June 4, 2010

In the past four days, details about the attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla have emerged.

We now know that 9 civilians were killed in the attack – 8 Turkish nationals and 1 American citizen of Turkish descent. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed. From the depths of our own experience, we feel the pain you are in.

In a response to the incident, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for “a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.”

We are dismayed that, largely due to US influence, the call was not for an independent investigation. With the cases of our daughter Rachel Corrie, crushed by an IDF Caterpillar bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003, and US citizens Brian Avery and Tristan Anderson, both severely injured by the IDF in the West Bank in 2003 and 2009, respectively, Israel clearly demonstrated a failure to investigate itself adequately.

Additionally, the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, in whichthe Israeli military exonerated itself of any wrongdoing, appears to confirm our own experience.

We call on the United Nations Security Council, and particularly on the United States Government, to demand a credible, transparent, thorough independent investigation into the attack on the flotilla.

At this time, a ship named the MV Rachel Corrie, which departed from Ireland, is on its way to Gaza. It was supposed to sail with the rest of the flotilla but was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. There are 12 people are on board, including the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mairead Maguire and former UN Assistant Secretary-General Dennis Halliday. We call on the United States Government and the governments of the world to insist that Israel not block the safe passage of the ship in reaching Gaza, nor take any actions that may result in the harm of the civilians onboard.

We are also dismayed that the United States Government has not joined the other permanent members of the UNSC in calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza. We call on our government to stand up against the immoral and illegal siege.

Until the blockade, siege and the occupation have ended, and people are permitted to live in freedom and with dignity, we fear there will be more needless deaths, of Palestinians and Israelis alike, and internationals who stand in solidarity with those working towards an end to the occupation and peace with justice.

Cindy & Craig Corrie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On June 2, 2010, students at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, made history by passing two resolutions supporting human rights, upholding international law, and promoting a just peace in the Palestine/Israel conflict.

1. The first resolution calls for The Evergreen State College Foundation to divest from companies that profit from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, as part of instituting a socially responsible investment policy.

2. The second resolution calls on the College to ban the use of Caterpillar, Inc. equipment from campus.

While other US colleges have passed similar divestment resolutions, these are the first of such resolutions passed by direct vote by an entire student body. Additionally, the student government unanimously passed its own resolution strongly supportive of the measures.

Divestment has been a popular tool employed at college campuses nationwide to protest South African apartheid and other human rights abuses around the world. It was only natural that divestment would be used to work toward an end to the oldest existing military occupation, Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine—and to target the corporations that profit from the illegal occupation.

The second resolution targets the Caterpillar Corporation, which is responsible for knowingly selling equipment for war crimes and military use against a civilian population, despite calls to cease sales by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other human rights organizations. Israeli military officials have acknowledged that Caterpillar is a “key weapon” in its continuing occupation of Palestine. Activists worldwide have waged a campaign for several years to hold Caterpillar accountable.

Evergreen senior Rachel Corrie was killed in 2003 by a weaponized Caterpillar bulldozer as she attempted to prevent the demolition of a civilian Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip. Israel continues to claim that Corrie was not run over by the armored bulldozer, contradicting every eyewitness testimony.

The resolutions have received broad support outside of the campus, including an endorsement by Jewish Voice for Peace. Organizers also received a touching letter of support by students in the Gaza Strip, who wrote, “We strongly believe that through steadfast campaigns and grassroots efforts, those dissident voices—people of conscience and bravery—will be victorious.” (Letter available at tescdivest.org)

The resolutions passed overwhelmingly, with 79.5% of participating students voting for the divestment resolution and 71.8% voting for the Caterpillar resolution. This election marked the largest student voter turnout since the creation of Evergreen’s student union.

“In passing these resolutions, students at Evergreen are sending a clear message to the administration that we want a socially responsible investment policy with an unwavering commitment to human rights,” said student organizer Noor Salah.

The resolutions were inspired by similar initiatives by students at UC Berkeley, Hampshire College, and University of Michigan–Dearborn, and following a letter of encouragement from Desmond Tutu. These steps are part of a greater international movement that seeks to find nonviolent solutions to ending the Palestine/Israel conflict.

For more information, and for the complete text of the resolutions, please visit www.tescdivest.org.

The number of dead and injured are still unconfirmed, but lowest figures reported are 9 killed and 34 injured. The Israeli Government has still not released their names. Over 700 citizens from nearly forty countries were on board the flotilla vessels.

We grieve for those who have been killed and pray for the recovery of those who have been injured. We salute them for their sacrifice in solidarity with Gazans suffering under a prolonged and immoral siege, which is itself a despicable and illegal act of collective punishment upon a civilian population. People on board the flotilla boats included human rights activists, journalists, public servants, and Palestinians hoping to reunite with family members. Some of those on board, we know personally. We continue to marvel at the courage, dedication, and moral clarity of all these activists. Like our daughter Rachel Corrie, they were coming to the aid of the people of Gaza because governments of the world have failed to act. Our hearts, go out,as well, to the families and friends of all those on board the flotilla vessels, many of whom may still not know the fate of their loved ones.

We call on the U.S. Government and governments of the world to act now. First, the well-being of all the flotilla passengers still in Israel must be secured, and the identities of those killed and injured must be released immediately. Second, governments around the world must demand an independent investigation into the attack upon the flotilla and the killings that occurred. An Israeli-led investigation into an international incident of this magnitude is unacceptable. Our family’s own experience has made it all too painfully clear that the Israeli military is unable or unwilling to adequately investigate itself. Third, the U.S. and other governments can and must insist that other boats from the flotilla, including the MV Rachel Corrie, named for our daughter, be permitted to sail through international waters to Gaza unobstructed. Finally, we demand that the governments of the world act as courageously as did the activists on the Free Gaza flotilla and, themselves, break the illegal and immoral siege of Gaza.

Cindy & Craig Corrie
Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice

Available for interview.
Please contact the Rachel Corrie Foundation
info [ at ] rachelcorriefoundation.org
360.754.3998 or 360-359-6790