During March 2003 we filmed and photographed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In Rafah, Gaza strip, we met the ISM activist and US citizen Rachel Corrie and a small group of her friends. We stayed in the same house for a week. Rachel was there as a human shield. The house was close to the Egypt border located in the zone where Israel destroy houses to make a no-mans-land. They had at that time bulldozered over 600 houses. The families get ten minutes to pack their belongings when the bulldozer comes, they have nowhere to go. Its is a desperate situation. Tragically, Rachel was killed by the Israel Defence Force while carrying out a non-violent protest against the house demolitions. The USA has not yet carried out an official investigation into her death. On the picture from the right Charlotte, Jenny and Rachel Corrie. (Photos by Erik Pauser)
Rachel Corrie's death attracted widespread attention and sparked international outrage, with many individuals and organizations calling for an investigation into her death and for the Israeli military to be held accountable. Despite these efforts, no one was ever held responsible for her death, and the Israeli government maintains that it was an accident.
Since her death, Corrie has become an icon of the Palestinian solidarity movement, with her life and activism inspiring countless individuals to take action for peace and justice in the Middle East. Her legacy continues to be felt today, as people around the world continue to advocate for an end to the Israeli occupation and for a just peace.
The site where the memorial service for Rachel was held.
The result of our visit to Rafah, Gaza, was two films and a web project. 'To Rachel', which is 20 minutes long, was produced and directed by Erik Pauser and Cecilia Parsberg. 'I Can See the House', which is 2 minutes and 30 seconds long, was produced by Erik Pauser and Cecilia Parsberg, and directed by Cecilia Parsberg.