Colours of Life

Rachel Corrie

“I should at least mention that I am also discovering a degree of strength and of basic ability for humans to remain human in the direst of circumstances – which I also haven’t seen before. I think the word is dignity. I wish you could meet these people. Maybe, hopefully, someday you will.”
- Rachel Corrie, in an email to her mother, February 28 2003

Rachel Corrie was a 23-year-old American peace activist from Olympia, Washington, who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer on 16 March 2003, while undertaking non-violent direct action to protect the home of a Palestinian family from demolition.

Since her killing, an enormous amount of solidarity activities have been carried out in her name around the world.

In the past five days, details about the attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla have emerged. Nine civilians (as reported) were killed in the attack – Eight Turkish nationals and one American citizen of Turkish descent. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed. May they rest in peace.

In a response to the incident, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for “a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.”

We are dismayed that, largely due to US influence, the call was not for an independent investigation. With the cases of Rachel Corrie, crushed by an IDF Caterpillar bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003, and US citizens Brian Avery and Tristan Anderson, both severely injured by the IDF in the West Bank in 2003 and 2009, respectively, Israel clearly demonstrated a failure to investigate itself adequately.

Additionally, the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, in which the Israeli military exonerated itself of any wrongdoing, appears to confirm the poor investigation. We call on the United Nations Security Council, and particularly on the United States Government, to demand a credible, transparent, thorough independent investigation into the attack on the flotilla, Mavi Marmara.

At this time, a ship named the MV Rachel Corrie, which departed from Ireland,is intercepted by the Israeli's navy ships while on its way to Gaza. It was supposed to sail with the rest of the flotilla but was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. There are 12 people are on board, including the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mairead Maguire, former UN Assistant Secretary-General Dennis Halliday and a few Malaysian activists. We call on the United States Government and the governments of the world to insist that Israel to release and not block the safe passage of the ship in reaching Gaza, nor take any actions that may result in the harm of the civilians onboard.

We are also dismayed that the United States Government has not joined the other permanent members of the UNSC in calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza. We call on our government to stand up against the immoral and illegal siege.

Until the blockade, siege and the occupation have ended, and people are permitted to live in freedom and with dignity, we fear there will be more needless deaths, of Palestinians and internationals who stand in solidarity with those working towards an end to the occupation and peace with justice.

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