Remembering Rachel

Today is the sixth anniversary of the murder of Rachel Corrie. On a Sunday in 2003, Rachel was volunteering in Rafah, Palestine for the International Solidarity Movement and was trying to prevent the Israeli Army from bulldozing the home of a Palestinian civilian. The operator of the Caterpillar intentionally drove his machine over her, ending her relatively short but meaningful life. Rachel was in her 24th year of life, a life that impacted all who knew her.

As a pacifist, I do not condone any acts of violence. Both sides in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict are guilty of committing acts of terror on each other and civilians on both sides have suffered. Israel has been given a free pass for far too long and we do our strongest Middle East ally no favors by ignoring her acts against the population of Palestine. Now, more than ever, our government needs to intervene and bring about a diplomatically inspired peace to that region.

I felt no regret recently when Caterpillar announced economically forced closing. I feel terrible for those who may have lost their jobs but not for the company that has made a living selling equipment to Israel which has been used to murder scores of innocent Palestinians. Even though we went to York, PA and picketed them, it seemed like a hollow activity that fell on deaf ears.

We need to stand together and proclaim that Rachel Corrie did not die in vain, that the ways of peace cannot be overcome by those who chose the alternate path. Let us never forget the witness of those like Rachel who have given their lives in the cause of peace and justice. Do something today. It is not to late.