US Activist's Death in Israel Ruled 'Accidental'

Craig and Cindy Corrie were in Israel today to hear the verdict in the death of their daughter, Rachel, and a civil court ruled that it was accidental. Cindy Corrie called it "a bad day for human rights, for humanity, for the rule of law, and also for the country of Israel," CNN reports. Rachel, a 23-year-old activist, was crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer nine years ago as she protested the demolition of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip.

Her parents' suit against Israel's Ministry of Defense sought a symbolic $1 in damages, but the judge said today they don't have a right to any damages. He accused Rachel Corrie of protecting terrorists in a combat zone, and said "any thinking person" would have left the area, the BBC reports. The soldier driving the bulldozer, whose identity has been shielded, was already cleared of wrongdoing; he says Rachel Corrie was shielded by rubble and couldn't be seen. The Corries plan to appeal to Israel's supreme court. (More Rachel Corrie stories.)