LOC23:05
20:05 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- The United State on Tuesday said it supports
the decision by the family of slain peace activist Rachel Corrie to appeal an
Israeli court's decision to dismiss charges against the state of Israel for
wrongdoing.
The State department said it would offer consular support for the family
and expressed condolences to the family over Corrie's death.
"We understand the family's disappointment with the outcome of the trial,"
the State department said.
A Haifa court said the 23-year old's death was an accident after she was
run over repeatedly by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003 when she tried to
stop the demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza.
State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters the US will
continue to offer consular services to the family as they appeal the verdict.
"We will see how this proceeds going forward," Nuland said.
The verdict has drawn international outrage by the determination by the
Haifa judge that Corrie "put herself in harms way". Many human rights
organizations say the ruling is dangerous and troublesome.
According to Bill Van Esveld of Human Rights Watch, the verdict "sets a
dangerous precedent in its claim that there was no liability for Corrie's
death because the Israeli forces involved were conducting a 'combat
operation' ... The idea that there can be no fault for killing civilians in a
combat operation flatly contradicts Israel's international legal obligations
to spare civilians from harm during armed conflict, and to credibly
investigate and punish violations by its forces." (end)
hy.bs
KUNA 282305 Aug 12NNNN