Even though I strongly oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestininan lands, I think it wasn't the wisest of decisions for an American citizen (a foreigner) to meddle in other nations affairs. If she wanted to do some activism, she could have done it in the US, whose crimes against humanity look Israel pale in comparison.

I'm not really sure what answers her parents are looing for, she was clearly in a place she shouldn't have been, everyone knows that "on site" protesting with a sign does nothing, she could have done far more at home like the comment above says, now shes dead and has achieved nothing.

  I am so sorry for your loss. I love you... I am also talking about justice w/ kids who happen to be white....fighting the schools to get help    if they do not fit into special needs or whatever....what aloss... My son is a survivor of vietnam and a single mom 13 yrs.... do we not qualify for justice... god bless

Rachel Corrie should be an inspiration to us all. Daniel says he opposes the Israel occupation but that Rachel should have done her activism from the US. Why is he blaming the victim? Who is he to presume to make decisions for someone else? I agree with Rachel, we are "witnessing this chronic, insidious genocide and I’m really scared, and questioning my fundamental belief in the goodness of human nature. This has to stop. I think it is a good idea for us all to drop everything and devote our lives to making this stop.

@Daniel Your point is well-taken... but what if one feels there's absolutely nothing that can be done from the U.S.? Trying to shine a light on inhumane and apartheidist Israeli policies in the U.S. leads one to automatically be labeled an anti-semite by the pro-zionist groups, which scares away any prospective politician or group that would otherwise help with the cause.

Daniel's word choice also not very wise: 'to meddle'.

The US meddles enormously in Israeli affairs. In fact, without the unreasoning support of certain powerful lobbies in the US, the small but annoying country of Israel would not be in a position to flout international laws by its current treatment of Palestinians.
All Rachel Corrie was doing was tring to redress the balance, to demonstrate that not every US citizen supports Israel.

And Rachel was there 7 years ago, in 2003, not present day. So don't mix up the politics. Good luck to Rachel's family.

even after 40 years of occupation,Israel is not able to do things their way on the captured lands. Palestinians have won this one hands down.

Shame on Israel.

You have to be kidding me right?..You should be proud than an American gave their life for some folk half way across the world.Im not saying the U.S isn't as bad or better than any other country but in the end self sacrifice for what you beleive in regardless of the idea and being a noble one at that ...well the action speaks for itself!!..I've traveled (if just a little)-by far we are lucky to be American and beleive me statements like yours in more than 75% of the world would get you in serious perril–be proud of what you have and where you are.The USA is not perfect by far but we are only 200 or so years old and have the best freedoms around.You should be ashamed of yourself.-ps:Im the most liberal-left sob you can ever find and im aware of all the attrocities and negative foreign policies in place and yes I said the above comments!!

may be israeli is the real invader on now days ,and US government always only open one eye or wink at this grief.

It might not be the wisest act lying in front of a huge booldozer,
she might as well lye in the middle of the free-way,
activists should be smart,not just benig right

Insha-Allah. She's in paradise. Ameen.

RACHEL CORRIE is and will be an UNFORGETABLE MARTYR for the whole World...She´s a Popular Personality in IRAN, though after seven years we talk about her Courageous and Desperation Confronting The Evil Zionist Soldiers...GOD BLESS HER SOUL AND MAY REST IN PEACE INSHALLAAH...

No parernt should have to bury their child. On the other hand, no child should basically commit sucide by crawling nad hiding behind giant bulldozer shovel, where it was impossible for the bulldozer driver to see her. At the same day two other members of IMS were rescued at the very last moment afgainst their will by Israeli soldiers.
Evidently, leadership of IMS decided to utilize "anticapitalist feelings" of its international supporters by manipulating them into a "suicide mission".
Death of Rachel is as tragic as deaths of numberless Palestinian "suicidical shaheeds" – mostly misused mentally unbalanced or reatarded youths cynu8cally manipulated by ruthless Palestinian propaganda puppetmasters.

It is always sad to see a young idealist lose her or his life in a tragic accident. Those of us who have sat in the drivers chair of aD-9 know that it is impossible to see in front of the blade.

I am sure that the driver had no idea that an innocent girl was in front. Also, the noice level of a D-9 is such that he would not be aware of any warnings either in Hebrew or English. Most drivers wear ear potection.

The fact remains that the girl, for whatever reason, placed herself in the path of the D-9 without regard for the driver's ability to see or hear. It is tragic, both for the family of the girl and or the driver, and both deserve compensation. Neither deserve blame.

‘’wise?” Rachel had the strength of conviction and courage to stand up for her beliefs. It is not about giving into Israeli intimidation or compromising your beliefs because Israel is a friend of the US; it is about freedom of expression and the right to exercise that freedom.
Israel has a track record of murdering activists, international aid workers and UN personnel. Maybe it is time we were all wise enough to have the courage to ask nations that do not abide by international laws to do so. To ask that Israel honour its obligations under any law to identify the driver of the bulldozer instead of contravening its laws.
How sad it must be that given Israel are friends of the USA they could not honour this relationship by doing what is right. Instead of being arrogant and punishing the parents in their denial of their involvement and guilt. That it took 7 years for them to get this far.
Maybe it’s time we all had courage to recognise a bully instead of taking it personally and letting loyalties get in the way.
It’s time we realised we are all morally responsible for our actions and being an international special buddy of America doesn’t mean you can get away with it.

I think it was the fact that she was a us citizen that highlights the callouse way in which Israel a close ally of the US behved. It was cold blooded murder and Israel must condone and change it's attitude. Nothing they do can return what they took from her family, but they can change the way they deal with such incidences..It should not appen again.

According to all the sad circumstances, Rachel committed a sucidical act. If she were prevented from committing suicide, aniother IMS member would committ suicide.
IMS is a Palestinian group with secretive funding, supporting "Palestinian rights including armed struggle".
Evidently, many readers of this blog support "armed struggle of Palestinian people" in toto.
It would be interesting to know, whether also the author of this article supports "armed struggle of Palestinian people" or if she omitted mention about real profile of IMS because it could disturb some of the more pacifist readers.
The fact is that IMS is has been employing activists from Western countries on large scale for regular rock-throwing at israeli soldiers guarding the separation wall. Some of the demonstrators open fire on israeli soldiers from rifles. This all together does not look like much of a "humanitarian activity".
Probably it is difficult to find any positive heroes on the Middle East, but the author has "created" one positive hero – by keeping mum about puppetmasters of the poor Rachel, the demonstration machine of IMS – and by keeping mum about IMS dedication "to the armed struggle of Palestinian people". Which in itself includes many acts contradicting the most basics of Geneva conventions.

Quote about ISM from WIKIPEDIA:
During a CNN interview Paula Zahn with Adam Shapiro and Huwaida Arraf asked about an article they had co-authored which stated: "Palestinian resistance must take on a variety of characteristics, both violent and nonviolent. But most importantly, it must develop a strategy involving both aspects. Nonviolent resistance is no less noble than carrying out a suicide operation." She noted that "some people could lead to the conclusion that you were promoting suicide bombing."
So – ISM supports both violent and non-violent struggle of Palestinian people. Evidently it also employs "anticapitalist feelings" of young from Western countries (a large majority of them are anarchists and radical "ecological" activists) and manipulates them into situations which endanger their life and which in fact resulted into a wilful suicide.

I am sorry for your loss. But, I still think it was unwise of her to meddle in another country's affairs. So many Israelis and Palestinians lose their lives daily but no one questions about fairness or demands answers. One American loses life for meddling in another country's affair and suddenly people want answers.

If an American was to go to Kashmir or Korea or any other high-risk area fighting for justice (or as I would call it – "meddling") and loses life in the process has no right to demand any explanations from any of the governments. They are doing it at their own risk.

And to all those who say that what if showing activism from US is not enough. Well then be prepared to pay the price too. And its not fair about blaming just Israel – I think all countries have this problem. when it comes to sensitive issues any country – Iraq, Cuba, Kashmir, Korea, Tibet, Middle east (Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, etc) does what it thinks is best for its own country.

Though I don't want to take anything away from Rachel. She was a brave human being and gave up her life standing up to whatever she might have believed in.

Let's give context to the story. Houses were being destroyed due to the proven labyrinth of tunnels that have served as a channel for arms and explosives, fueling and perpetuating the violence. It's a shame a young American was killed in Gaza but it's also clear that Corrie’s action and that of the International Solidarity Movement which brought her to Gaza are likely to prolong, rather than curtail, conflict. And we all seem to forget what CNN didn't report: the photo of Rachel Corrie at a February rally in Gaza burning a mock U.S. flag, her face contorted with rage.

The DEVIL is in details. ISM supports BOTH non-violent and violent struggle. Do their members go violent every even day and non-violent every odd day? Do their members pretend they are non-violent in front of western "nutzlichen Idioten" and operate in a violent way with their Palestinian compatriots?
About 85% of Palestinians supports attacks on israelis (mob lynching in Ramallah, killing of students in yeshiva Mercaz haRav.....)
While no nation should be occupied, also no nation should have a nazi-like government, Then the occupation may be a lesser evil. Is establieshment of a totalitarian Palestine with an idelogy close to Nazism only a theoretical option? How much differs Charter of Hamas from the main goals of Nazism? How much differs everdyday practice of Hamas from Nazism?

response to holzberg: you are wrong. not 85%, but 100% of palestinians support attacks on israelis. and i understand them. seeing their lands and their homes stolen and in other people's hands is not very pleasant. and who is blaming them for these attacks? the same zionists who were the first terrorists, killing british and arab people in what was called then PALESTINE!
And these zionists are not different from Hamas, and to follow the logic of mr. holzberg, from nazism!
Rachel did what her belief dictated her to do. perhaps she was foolish to take such risks, but that doesn't minimise her courage and absolve the guilty part, the israelis. what amazes me is that people who suffered so much from nazism can do so much harm and destruction!! SHAME ON YOU ISRAEL!!