Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 1 september 2010 / Timeline September 1, 2010
Version 3.5August 2010, 2. September 2010
09/01/2010
Kampagnen mod atomvåben, ICAN Norge, stiftes.
09/01/2010
Israeli court resumes trial in killing of American activist
Rachel Corrie
Haifa, Israel - On Sunday, September 5th, the Haifa District Court
will resume hearing testimonies in a civil lawsuit filed by Rachel
Corrie's family against the State of Israel for her unlawful
killing in Rafah, Gaza. Rachel Corrie, an American student activist
and human rights defender from Olympia, Washington, was crushed to
death on March 16, 2003, by a Caterpillar D9R bulldozer while
nonviolently protesting Palestinian home demolitions with fellow
members of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). The second
phase of the trial is expected to shed more light on the
circumstances of her death and the Israeli government failure to
conduct a thorough, credible and transparent investigation into her
killing.
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.
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