Rachel Corrie, American activist (b. 1979)

Rachel Aliene Corrie, born on April 10, 1979, was an American activist and diarist whose life was tragically cut short on March 16, 2003. A vibrant and committed member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a pro-Palestinian group, Corrie journeyed to the Gaza Strip as part of an independent study proposal during her senior year of college. Her deeply personal mission aimed to forge a connection between her hometown of Olympia, Washington, and the Palestinian city of Rafah, envisioning them as sister cities.

Upon her arrival in Gaza, Corrie joined fellow ISM activists in their efforts to non-violently resist the demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This period coincided with the height of the Second Palestinian Intifada, a time of intense conflict and humanitarian crisis. The demolitions themselves were a contentious issue; Israeli authorities stated they were conducted to eliminate tunnels used for weapons smuggling, a claim that human rights groups frequently countered by asserting the demolitions amounted to collective punishment against the civilian population.

The Contested Circumstances of Her Death

Rachel Corrie's death occurred in a southern Gaza Strip combat zone when she was crushed by an IDF armored bulldozer. The precise nature of her death and the culpability of the bulldozer operator have remained hotly disputed. Fellow ISM protestors present at the scene adamantly maintained that the Israeli soldier operating the bulldozer deliberately ran over Corrie. They described her as visibly standing in the path of the bulldozer, wearing a bright orange reflective jacket, actively attempting to prevent a demolition.

Conversely, Israeli eyewitnesses and the subsequent Israeli army investigation concluded that her death was a tragic accident. They argued that the bulldozer operator’s visibility was severely limited from his cab, and he simply could not see Corrie. The official military investigation, completed in 2003, affirmed this conclusion, stating that her death was accidental and attributing it to the operator's limited field of vision. However, this military inquiry faced significant criticism from prominent human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Israeli groups such as B'Tselem and Yesh Din, who questioned its thoroughness and impartiality.

Legal Battles and International Scrutiny

In 2005, Rachel Corrie's parents, Cindy and Craig Corrie, initiated a civil lawsuit against the State of Israel. Their legal action sought to challenge the findings of the 2003 military investigation, contending that Israel had failed to conduct a full and credible inquiry into their daughter's death. Furthermore, they asserted Israel's responsibility for her death, arguing that she had either been intentionally killed or that the soldiers involved had acted with reckless disregard for her life. Despite the profound emotional and moral weight of the case, the Corries sought only a symbolic one US dollar in damages, emphasizing their pursuit of justice and accountability over financial compensation.

An Israeli court delivered its ruling in August 2012, rejecting the Corries' suit and upholding the conclusions of the original 2003 military investigation. The court ruled that the Israeli government was not responsible for Corrie's death, reiterating the view that it was an accident. This ruling, much like the initial investigation, was met with sharp criticism from various human rights organizations and activists worldwide, who continued to call for a more independent and thorough examination of the events. An appeal against this ruling was heard on May 21, 2014, but ultimately, on February 14, 2015, the Supreme Court of Israel rejected the appeal, bringing an end to the family's legal battle within the Israeli judicial system. Rachel Corrie's story continues to resonate as a powerful symbol in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader discourse on human rights and non-violent activism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rachel Corrie

Who was Rachel Corrie?
Rachel Corrie was an American activist and diarist who became a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). She traveled to the Gaza Strip to protest Israeli military actions and was tragically killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003.
When and where was Rachel Corrie born and when did she die?
Rachel Corrie was born on April 10, 1979, and died on March 16, 2003, in Rafah, Gaza Strip, at the age of 23.
What was the International Solidarity Movement (ISM)?
The ISM is a pro-Palestinian organization that employs non-violent direct action tactics to protest Israeli occupation policies in the Palestinian territories. Activists like Rachel Corrie often acted as human shields to protect Palestinian civilians and property.
What were the circumstances surrounding Rachel Corrie's death?
Rachel Corrie was crushed by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) armored bulldozer while attempting to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home in Rafah during the Second Intifada. Her death is highly contested, with ISM activists claiming it was deliberate and Israeli authorities stating it was an accident due to limited visibility for the bulldozer operator.
Was there an investigation into her death?
Yes, the Israeli army conducted an investigation in 2003, concluding that her death was an accident. However, this investigation was heavily criticized by various human rights organizations for its lack of credibility and thoroughness.
Did Rachel Corrie's family pursue legal action?
Yes, in 2005, her parents filed a civil lawsuit against the State of Israel, seeking a symbolic one US dollar in damages and contending that her death was either intentional or a result of reckless neglect. The Israeli court rejected their suit in 2012, and an appeal was ultimately rejected by the Israeli Supreme Court in 2015.
Why is Rachel Corrie's story significant?
Rachel Corrie's story highlights the human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the role of international solidarity activism, and the ongoing debates surrounding accountability, human rights, and the differing narratives of the conflict.