On March 16, an Israeli military (IOF) bulldozer demolishing homes in the Gaza Strip crushed and killed Rachel Corrie, 23, a US peace activist. Rachel was standing in front of the Nasrallah's home to prevent its demolition while wearing a reflective vest and talking to the Caterpillar D9R driver through a megaphone. Eyewitness demonstrators stated that they believe the driver knew Rachel was in front of the bulldozer as he proceeded forward and then reversed, crushing Rachel a second time.

The IOF conducted two investigations into the case and found no negligence on the part of the driver. The IOF refused to provide the U.S. State Department with a copy of the report. An U.S. Embassy official in Israel, who read the report, found "inconsistencies worthy of note", all relating solely to the IOF testimony, not to that of Rachel's friends and other witnesses.

The Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, wrote that he could say "without equivocation", that the State Department did not consider the report on the Israeli military investigation into Rachel Corrie's killing to reflect an investigation that was "thorough, credible and transparent" as was promised to President Bush by Prime Minister Sharon in March 2003.

Yet, despite the lack of a "thorough, credible, and transparent investigation", and "inconsistencies worthy of note", the State Department labeled Rachel's killing an accident. A number of inaccuracies in the State Dept. reports contradict statements made by State Dept.'s own officials in other documents. These inaccuracies work to absolve Israel of responsibility for the killing of Rachel.

Since the IOF failed to conduct a credible investigation, her parents, Cindy and Craig, asked for a Congressional investigation into Rachel's killing. The request received scant support and was effectively killed.

Cindy and Craig have asked that the State Dept. and Congress correct the inaccuracies in the report and that the killing be accurately reported in all other official documents. This simple, respectful request has been ignored.

Cindy and Craig are left faced with the un-investigated death of their young daughter and a painful awareness of how the government works to protect a foreign state rather than demand justice for its citizens.

Cindy and Craig's response has been to tour the country talking of their daughter, her death and the horrors of the Israeli Occupation that they themselves have witnessed. They are suing the state of Israel and Caterpillar, the maker of the bulldozer used in home demolitions and killings, for wrongful death.

It is important to note that, not only Rachel, but Palestinians ­ pregnant, disabled, elderly - have been crushed in their own home. The IOF gives at the most a 15 minute warning.