Corrie lawyers expose army smear campaign against ISM
Israeli army spokesperson Brigadier General Ruth Yaron testified this week in what was expected to be the final hearing of the Rachel Corrie trial, now in its fifteenth month of oral testimonies. But once again, the conclusion of the oral testimonies has been pushed back and the Corrie family continues to wait for a final decision. Colonel Pinhas (Pinky) Zuaretz, the commanding officer of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade at the time of Rachel’s death, was expected to testify in court but could not appear. The lawsuit, filed in 2005 by the Corrie family, charges the Israeli government and the Ministry of Defense with criminal negligence, causing the death of 23-year-old American peace activist Rachel Corrie.
Rachel was crushed to death by a Caterpillar D-9 bulldozer on 16 March 2003 while attempting to shield the demolition of a home near the Rafah crossing in the occupied Gaza Strip. The case seeks one dollar in damages from the Israeli military. The highly symbolic reparation demand illustrates that the more meaningful redress for the Corries will be holding the Israeli army and government accountable for their criminal negligence and guilt in the killing of their daughter.