Remembering Rachel (1979-2003)

"We have to understand that they dream our dreams, and we dream theirs."
Rachel Corrie

The anniversary of Rachel Corrie's death was yesterday, March 16th. Israel continues to claim that her death was an accident or was necessary "for security" or that she, like all others living in Gaza, are "terrorists" because "There are no civilians in war and the military is at war with everyone in Gaza" (Brigade Commander in his testimony). 

The Corrie family filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Israel in 2005. The 16 month trial finally concluded this summer in July. A verdict is expected sometime this Spring. The Corries are accusing Israel's military of failing to turn over key surveillance videos of the Gaza strip field where Rachel was run over. The military has turned over only one video even though other videos actually have shown her being bulldozed over. Over the course of the long 16 months, Craig Corrie said that the reasons for pursuing this lawsuit had changed, "We came here seeking accountability. We demand justice...It is not enough to challenge and punish past transgressions. We must work to stop such egregious actions before they are committed in the first place. Instead of officers who view the other only as 'terrorists" we must demand that our leaders see in these families the potential for new friends" (from Craig Corrie's December 26  Blog Reflections after the trials).

As we mourn the massacre of civilians in Afghanistan and increased attacks and deaths of Gazans and the  rumors of war with Iran, Rachel's death and her parent's trial for justice seem ironic points of light in a darkened Lenten universe. Where is the hope? Is remembering enough? 

If Americans Knew say that one by one people are rising up, reclaiming our nation, our principles, and our souls and that remembering Rachel and her witness is part of that movement. If this is true or for this to be true, then we need to act now and step up the pace before it is too late, too late for the people in Gaza and Palestine and Israel.

There are many things we can and must do. One is to continue to put pressure on our government to withdraw or restrict funds to Israel until they are compliant with all international human rights laws. This begins with ending the Occupation, tearing down the Wall, and returning or compensating the exiled refugees. It also involves dismantiling the Apartheid system of inequality. In addition, we must also continue to pursue ways to put financial pressure on companies that provide support for or profit by the Occupation. 

Directly related to Rachel's death is the Caterpillar company.  This company made the weaponized machine used to bulldoze her. Caterpillar continues to knowingly provide the Israeli military with bulldozers and earth moving equipment which are used to uproot olive groves, demolish Palestinian homes, construct settlements, and build segregated roads and the "Separation Wall."



In addition these bulldozers were used to clear the way for ground troops in Israel's 2008-2009 assault on Gaza which killed more than 1400 Palestinians, many of whom were children. Caterpillar is on the list of companies in the TIAFF campaign for divestment and on divestment list for both the Methodists and Presbyterians. 

If your retirement funds are invested through TIAFF, you can join thousands of others across the country in a campaign to get them to reconsider their socially responsible investment strategies and remove those companies which directly contribute or profiting from the Occupation. 

Please see Jewish Voice for Peace for more information at  jewishvoiceforpeace.org › Campaigns

You could also sign onto petitions at End the Occupation to support our Methodist and Presbyterian brothers and sisters in their divestment campaign to put their faith into action. www.endtheoccupation.org/

 Let us mourn the loss of Rachel's precious life by remembering the lives she died to save. Let us remember her and them  by doing something today that might make a difference.

Other Resources

To read more about Rachel Corrie and the trial or what the Corrie Foundation is doing go to

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice

rachelcorriefoundation.org/

To view an earlier blog post I wrote last year after attending one of the trials in Haifa go to

A Garment of Destiny: No Matter What: The Rachel Corrie Trial in Haifa: In March of 2003 while still a seminary student at Andover Newton Theological School, I learned about the tragic death of a young woman act...

For more information about Caterpillar or divestment from Caterpillar:

http://www.whoprofits.org/Company%20Info.php?id=601http://www.unitedmethodistdivestment.com/CompaniesInvolved.htmlhttp://www.neumc.org/console/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/FULL_April_2010_DTF_Report-final_RXMZAKQR.pdf