At 5pm today, Rachel Corey, a 23 year old activist from the United States became the first International volunteer from the International Solidarity Movement, to die in the Occupied Territories of Palestine.

Rachel had been in Rafah, Gaza Strip for about 6 weeks, and had been attempting to prevent the demolition of a house by Caterpillar bulldozers. She was crushed by a bulldozer, and hospital reports say that she had many broken bones. Activists reported that before the killing, she had been attempting to negotiate with the bulldozer driver. House demolitions have been taking place on a daily basis for months in Rafah, which is on the border with Egypt.

As one of the Internationals in Palestine, I wish to send my condolences to Rachel's family and friends and my hope that they will remember the integity and courage that she displayed with pride.

Ha'aretz

IOF spokesperson Jacob Dallal, continued the Israeli State's habit of blaming deaths caused by their personell on anybody but themselves, by stating:



quote:
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"This is a regrettable accident," he said. "We are dealing with a group of protesters who were acting very irresponsibly, putting everyone in danger."
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Whilst it would no doubt suit the purposes of the IOF, if Internationals joined their states in ignoring the daily human rights abuses, destruction, humiliation and degradation that the IOF inflicts on Palestinians on a daily basis, Internationals are keen to note that Palestinians die on a daily basis, and that they bare the brunt of this US funded Occupation that fails to distinguish between armed militants, unarmed peaceful civilians and recently even Internationals.

Whilst Israel daily flouts the Geneva Convention and the International community turns a blind eye, and ignores their obligations under the Convention to protect people under Occupation, International volunteers have tired of waiting for the world community to provide the official observers that Amnesty International has been calling for, and have taken it upon themselves to enter the territories and to take direct action against the occupation, and in solidarity with the peaceloving unarmed civilians of Palestine whose rights are ignored and whose lives are blighted by the Israeli state's illegal actions.

It is sad that it has taken the death of an International to bring media attention to this programme of house demolitions that continues in Rafah.

We must not sit by any longer. Over 2000 Internationals have now taken actions against the Occupation in the territories. Rachel's death only strengthens our resolve to carry on doing so.

DEMAND THAT ISRAEL STOPS THESE HOUSE DEMOLITIONS AND THE UNNECESSARY KILLINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fax the Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, on Israel 9722-5303896
or email him on:  sar@mfa.gov.il

Telephone the Israeli Defence department on Israel 9723-6955476 and 9723 5307704