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Israeli soldiers kill American peace activistMonday 17 Mar 2003
author: Palestine Monitor
Israeli soldiers kill American peace activist in Rafah
16 March 2003
Israeli soldiers this evening killed an American peace activist from the Grassroots International Protection for Palestinians (GIPP)/ISM in the Al-Salam neighbourhood of Rafah city, in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The girl, Rachel Corey, 23 years old from the state of Washington, was killed while she was trying to prevent Israeli army bulldozers from destroying a Palestinian home. Other foreigners who were with her said the driver of the bulldozer was aware that Rachel was there, and continued to
destroy the house. Initially he dropped sand and other heavy debris on her, then the bulldozer pushed her to the ground where it proceeded to drive over her, fracturing both of her arms, legs and skull. She was transferred to
hospital, where she later died. Another foreigner was also injured in the attack and has been hospitalized - at this stage his nationality is unknown.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, from the Palestinian non-governmental network (PNGO) which spearheaded the GIPP campaign said, "The killing of Rachel is a tragedy. We express our sorrow, anger and disgust at this cold blooded
murder and we call for international condemnation of this event, and the ongoing Israeli policy of indiscriminate killings of Palestinians and internationals.
Furthermore it is an extremely dangerous precedent as it means the Israeli army is ready to kill international peace activists in order to frighten them away, so that the army can carry out its crimes against Palestinians without witnesses and with impunity. This is especially dangerous with the impending gulf war. We call for more internationals to come at this terrible time, and not let the Isralei military isolate Palestinians."