Court rejects Corrie family civil suit

[oberliner]

The Haifa District Court rejected on Tuesday accusations that Israel was at fault over the death of American activist Rachel Corrie, who was crushed by an army bulldozer during a 2003 pro-Palestinian demonstration in Gaza.

Corrie's family had accused Israel of intentionally and unlawfully killing their 23-year-old daughter, launching a civil case in Haifa after a military investigation had cleared the army of wrong-doing.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4273862,00.html

Cindy Corrie on verdict: Sad day for Israel

"We are upset and saddened by the verdict. This is a sad day not only for our family, but also for human rights, for the legal system and for the State of Israel," said Cindy Corrie, after a Haifa District Court rejected on Tuesday accusations that Israel was at fault over the death of American activist Rachel Corrie, who was crushed by an army bulldozer during a 2003 pro-Palestinian demonstration in Gaza.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4274105,00.html

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. What was not addressed in the article was the lack of a spotter

I have accepted for some time now that the driver did not see her. However IDF policy is that the armored bulldozers were to be operated with a spotter for that exact reason. While not addressed in the article, I assume that was brought up in court.

[Bradlad]

2. The lawsuit seems to have accused . .

The lawsuit seems to have accused them of intentionally killing her. It was not just that the IDF were negligent in some way.

From the article: "Corrie's family had accused Israel of intentionally and unlawfully killing their 23-year-old daughter, "

Based on the lack of any evidence of intentionality they probably knew they'd lose but that the publicity was worth it to keep the story alive.

I am certain that Corrie chose to put her life in danger for what she believed in. Even though I believe she chose the wrong side in that struggle I respect her courage.

[shira]

3. The lawsuit was all about publicity and making the Jewish state....

...out to be Nazi-like. Pretty much the agenda of trolls in favor of BDS and a OSS.

[oberliner]

12. That's a fair point

I wonder if it came up at the trial and what the response was.

[shaayecanaan]

17. The bulldozer driver gave evidence at the hearing behind a screen...

his evidence contradicted the IDF official account in a number of ways. He said that there was a blind spot of several metres around the vehicle, which would have meant that he was able to see Corrie on his initial approach. The IDF video of the incident had the driver proceed towards Corrie in a straight line from about a dozen metres away.

Its worth noting that the outcome was widely anticipated; certainly the history of this particular judge was well known.

The judge also seems to have thought that the original IDF inquiry was appropriate, which certainly puts him at odds with the US ambassador to Israel on that point.

[pelsar]

19. there are no spotters in war zones...

the reason the bulldozers are armored is because they get shot at..having a "spotter" during an operation would be a death sentence for the "spotter"

[King_David]

20. Makes sense nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

30. I thought during the IDF review the lack of a spotter was noted as a policy violation

It also means the operator was without support...not a good thing in a war zone.

[Bradlad]

35. Do you have a link?

I'd appreciate it if you have a link to this "policy violation" as I couldn't find anything.

Also, as I understand it there were 3 vehicles - 2 D9s - and an APC for support.

Also, I believe that this most recent court ruling held that the over-riding consideration is that this occurred in an active war zone and therefore the soldier's safety was a primary concern. As pelsar says, it would be very dangerous for a spotter to be walking around the area as the crews in the area had experienced constant sniper and grenade attacks while trying to remove ambush locations and tunnels in the Philadelphi corridor and had experienced a Palestinian grenade attack earlier that morning.

[pelsar]

45. never seen a "spotter"

i've watched many D9s in action in gaza, there is usually a merkava tank within the area for support as well as observers like me watching from afar, but that is to protect the D9.

those in the tanks are always "locked down" never even poking their heads out for air for security reasons.

[shira]

39. Why didn't the IDF detain or arrest these ISM members, including Corrie?

They're interfering with Israeli efforts in a war zone.

Why does the IDF tolerate them?

[pelsar]

46. they only endanger themselves...

they dont really interfere, they're not going to stop a military operation as Corrie learned. At best, theres some additional radio talk but nobody is going to endanger themselves by exposing themselves for the westerners.

[aranthus]

41. Thanks.

I forgot about that, and some people had posted that there was supposed to be a spotter.

[shira]

4. Put International Solidarity Movement on Trial for Rachel Corrie's Death

Last edited Wed Aug 29, 2012, 06:57 AM - Edit history (1)

Several ISM protestors entered the closed military zone to intentionally interfere in this routine mission. The IDF attempted to remove them with shock grenades, tear gas and warning shots, but they refused to leave the site.

The dangerous conduct of ISM activists—who ignored IDF warnings, refused to leave the area, and purposely put themselves in harm’s way— were the main factors leading to the tragic result.

Corrie’s ISM colleague and handler, Joseph Smith eulogized Corrie, chillingly justifying the sacrifice of human life for the cause, stating: “The spirit that she died for is worth a life. This idea of resistance, this spirit of resisting this brutal occupying force, is worth anything. And many, many, many Palestinians give their lives for it all the time. So the life of one international, I feel, is more than worth the spirit of resisting oppression.”

Smith’s words and ISM’s activities make it clear that ISM callously views such “sacrifices” as “progressive” acts of resistance which are worth the human cost. It is shameful that ISM will never face serious critical scrutiny for their recklessness, despite of their well-documented record of terror-abetting extremism, which ultimately took the life of Rachel Corrie.

more....
http://cifwatch.com/2012/08/28/put-international-solidarity-movement-on-trial-for-rachel-corries-death/

[azurnoir]

5. and I'd bet they'd be found guilty

in Israel

[shira]

6. They'd be found guilty in any reasonable court...

Do you think the driver intentionally tried to kill Corrie?

[azurnoir]

7. I think the driver should have paid more attention in a US court such a death would be called

negligent homicide or negligent manslaughter, but as you wish however note what ISM said comes after her death not before

[shira]

8. Really? How did the driver demonstrate criminal negligence? n/t

[azurnoir]

9. because despite Corrie wearing an orange reflective vest he ran over her

also there was some negligence on the part of IDF who did not for some reason have a spotter at the site even though there were civilians

[shira]

10. Okay, thanks. But this case was about intentional murder...

So do you agree with the Judge that it wasn't intentional?

[azurnoir]

11. it was a civil suit and really I do not know

my opinion was stated in comment #7 but one could add vehicular homicide to that

[aranthus]

16. Almost.

Since the driver could not have seen Corrie where she was and from where he was sitting, it doesn't matter whether she was wearing a jumpsuit. The criminal negligence, if any, comes in because of the lack of a spotter. If there wasn't a spotter, and if he had a blind spot in front of him that was supposed to be covered by a spotter, then why did he proceed without one? If he was orderd to, then the officer who gave that order was negligent.

[King_David]

22. See what Pelsar wrote

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=17333

[azurnoir]

24. I don't think obstructed view would fly in most courts either

but I guess this is an exceptional case

[pelsar]

21. see comment above....about spotters.....

the IDF generally does not send it soldiers out on suicide missions....a spotter is just that

(civilians protesting, hardly means a hamas sniper is not to be found in a war zone......).

The scenerios are endless where the poor spotter would either get shot at or fear for his life and start shooting, at that close range, getting lots more Corries:

lesson? war zones are dangerous places, and not a place for civilians playing 'non violent games"

[azurnoir]

23. Hamas snipers? oh that explains it but it was an area controled and occupied by Israel at the time

tell us do you think she deserved it?

[pelsar]

26. snipers...a short lesson (pretty standard stuff for gaza at the time)

200m-500m is a relativly easy shot for a sniper (espcially for a guy standing still with waving his arms with a bright vest for the driver)....occupation cannot stop the single sniper shooting from a building..its happened more than enough times.
____

you ask, do i think she deserved to die? no of course not. if you going to ask me if i think she was niave and foolish and had little understanding of where she was, the answer is yes.

one sees this over and over in this low level war zone. Just because there are many civilians around and there is no constant shooting does not mean there is not a war going around. The rules are different, very different from a civilian area.

the "humanitarians" and their supporters never seem to understand this.....

[azurnoir]

27. you are claiming that IDF cannot secure an area of 1/2 kilometer or 1/3 mile that it is control of?

that strains credulity

this was 2003 the puillout did not happen till 2 1/2 years later

[pelsar]

28. wrong tactics....why risk our lives

Last edited Wed Aug 29, 2012, 05:56 AM - Edit history (2)

destroying a tunnel entrance or whatever that needed to be destroyed is small job: tractor goes in destroys it and leaves. The other soldiers are all safe behind their walls etc, observing from afar.

what your suggesting is to send in 50+ soldiers to check out the local homes, hills etc to "secure it" So instead of 1 -2 hrs job, your expecting the IDF to spend a a couple days preparing a plan, getting all the equipment prepared etc and spend at least 6-8 hours in th field, while risking their lives from snipers from afar......and for what?

in case some foolish and niave americans want to go an protest?

better they should learn that war zones are not healthy for living things....and understand the risk they are actually taking for their cause...like the rest of us

__________________
the westerns who come and protest should not be expecting us to risk our lives, waste additional man hours, tank hours etc just to let them play their games so they can go home and write up "what they did during their summer vacation." or go back to "brag" just how brave they are facing down the IDF...

[azurnoir]

34. okay so it's easier not to have a spotter and risk the lives of civilians

but what civilians other than American or other foreign protesters?

[Bradlad]

37. Any logical view of what happened . .

Any logical and dispassionate view of the events would conclude that certainly the ISM protesters had knowingly risked their own lives and had defied the IDF efforts to a) not enter the area at all and b) leave the area immediately after they had entered.

It amazes me how some here can not see the most obvious facts even after they've been shown the facts from many different reports all concluding the same thing. Your views would be taken more seriously if you actually made some attempt to see the events through the eyes of both sides to the conflict - and not just the Palestinian narrative (or Western leftist narrative) which almost always turns out to be concocted.

[pelsar]

38. you think those civilians are "worth more than the Palestinians?

Bulldozers in war zones, nor tanks, nor APCs get spotters while they work (psst, thats why they have amour, they tend to attract bullets and missiles.

Most civilians have enough sense to stay clear of them......Maybe the hamasnikim/PA didnt want to enlighten Corry and friends that those huge bulldozers have limited lines of sight? Lets face it, someone told them to go there, someone in gaza new where the IDF was headed and probably gave them a ride there....they might have even told them not to worry and it was perfectly safe to stand in the way of moving bulldozer...

thats probably the best explanation....


and dont be confused, there is no way the IDF would risk soldiers lives to protect protestors who are trying to stop a bulldozer from closing a tunnel that is bringing in missiles that are shot at israelis....

and if the protestors believed that was the case, then we know they took a double dose of the "usual idiote".

[ProgressiveProfessor]

31. When moving around heavy equipment, if you cannot see the driver, they cannot see you

Doesn't matter if its semis on interstate, or buses in the neighborhood.

The armored bulldozers have a very limited field of view, the large the machine, the more limited the view.

[King_David]

47. Her parents should never have allowed her to go

My baby brother recently wanted to vacation in Damascus ... My parents said no !!

[shaayecanaan]

18. What a charming article

I couldnt help but notice some of the ads adorning the website that you've linked to:-





Clearly, your choice of reading material hasn't improved much over the years.

[alp227]

13. Actual urban dictionary definition about white privilege:

"A young American woman died because in college she was brainwashed into believing that her white privilege would protect her from being run over by a bulldozer."

Please go to the website and downvote that BS. As for this lawsuit I wonder what the legal advisers for the Corrie family were thinking, given the other posts here asserting that the pro Palestine protesters were at fault for breaking military law.

[azurnoir]

14. that entire page is a sewer

not just the stuff about Rachel Corrie either

Essentially it's the claim that being White affords one access to universal, institutional or systemic advantages, used by anti-Whites (who use the code-word "anti-racist" to disguise their intentions) to justify overt racial discrimination against Whites, in the hopes of equalizing social and economic outcomes between races, whose disparities are better explained by hereditary differences in intelligence and temperament.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=white%20privilege

[oberliner]

15. It's open source like Wikipedia

Though not policed anywhere near as vigorously.

[azurnoir]

25. obviously not but I think it goes by up and down votes

the comment alluding to Corrie and the one I sited both had more thumps up than down

[oberliner]

29. You are wrong

"The racist idea that simply being white benefits people in some unexplainable way, and that discriminating against white people is not only okay, but enlightened and necessary."

That's what people are voting on.

Question for you:

Do you think the fact that Rachel Corrie was a young, white, American woman in any way has impacted the way her tragic story has been covered in the international media?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

32. Clearly it did

Her parents have the resources to keep it in the media as well. Had it been a local woman or white person from another country, it would have been a footnote at best.

[azurnoir]

33. I'm not quite sure what your going on about here -I did not post the entry alluding to Corrie

Last edited Wed Aug 29, 2012, 11:07 AM - Edit history (1)

are you defending the entry I posted? however, you've talked to the 400 people that voted it up and know why they voted for it? note there are 7 entries under white privilege almost all of them rather racist, in part or in whole -hence my comment to another poster the entire page is a sewer

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=white%20privilege

[oberliner]

36. Would you be willing to answer my question?

You can do so via PM if you are more comfortable that way.

[azurnoir]

42. if she had been a Palestinian it would not have been as widely covered in the press n/t

[azurnoir]

43. Do you believe that being White does not benefit people in some way? At least in the US?

and you can also answer via PM if your not comfortable

[oberliner]

44. It sure does

And I tried to PM you but apparently you have me (or everyone) blocked from sending you messages.

[shira]

40. Tank runs over soldier during training exercise

A tank ran over a soldier during a training exercise in the Golan Heights on Monday. The soldier was airlifted to Rambam Hospital in Haifa in critical condition.

The soldier, from the Golani Brigade, suffered a serious head injury when a tank driving in reverse hit him.

The incident occurred during a joint exercise of the 188th armored brigade and the Golani infantry brigade. Immediately after the accident the exercise was halted and military police investigators arrived at the scene.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/tank-runs-over-soldier-during-training-exercise/

No doubt this was deliberate too!