RAMALLAH, May 28 (JMCC) - The final hearing scheduled in Rachel Corrie's family's lawsuit against the Israeli military has been postponed to June, reports the Electronic Intifada.
Rachel Corrie, an activist with the International Solidarity Movement, was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003. Her parents are suing the Israeli military for one dollar, seeking a symbolic ruling of its responsibility for Rachel's death.
A hearing held on Sunday dealt with the army's representation of the activist group Rachel represented as a violent organization.
Colonel Pinhas (Pinky) Zuaretz, the commanding officer of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade at the time of Rachel’s death, was expected to testify in court but could not appear.
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Pending Colonel Pinhas (Pinky) Zuaretz’ availability, the next hearing will take place on 10 July. Colonel Zuaretz was in charge of the bulldozer unit in 2003 and is potentially the highest-ranking military officer yet to come under cross-examination for Israeli military actions against civilians in the Gaza Strip during the second intifada. This is the second time the state has delayed Colonel Zuaretz’ testimony.
There is intense anticipation surrounding the testimony and cross-examination of Colonel Zuaretz, which will deal with the military’s negligence and failure to protect civilian life in the occupied Gaza Strip. The Corrie family has waited eight years to see justice brought to their daughter. The conclusion of this phase of the trial will mark the beginning of the judge’s deliberation, the deadline of which has yet to be determined.