In memory of Rachel Corrie

Rafah: Children commemorate the fourth anniversary for the loss of
solidarity member Rachel Corrie by opening a permanent exhibit for her
memorabilia

By Mohamad AlJamal

Children from the young Palestinian Parliament commemorated the 4th
anniversary of the loss of the American Solidarity member Rachel Corrie by
enacting a permanent exhibit for her that included pictures and personal
belongings at the parliament site in the center of Rafah governorate. The
exhibit which was attended by a large number of children and others
concerned, included pictures of Rachel and statements and other documents
released upon her loss as well as some personal belongings, a symbolic
coffin covered by the Palestinian flag. The exhibit was opened by reading
commemorative poems two girls wrote in English: Nadeem AlMahaydeh (11 y o)
and Islam abuSharkh (12 y o). The two girls spoke about Rachel’s heroic
stand in front of an Israeli bulldozer in an attempt to stop the demolition
of a Palestinian home, a stand that cost her life.

The two girls emphasized in their poems that the Children of Rafah in
particular and all Children of Palestine will never forget Rachel and she
will be in their memories as long as they live. The children then hung
placards with slogans that commemorate Corrie and wishing that she was with
them, among the signs: “Rachel we will not forget you”, Rachel we need you”,
Rachel Corrie died as a Palestinian, we welcome here in the highest esteem
and honor”. Children then put wreaths and olive branches on her symbolic
coffin. They sent their wishes and honor to Rachels’ parents who live in
the US and who joined the children in the third anniversary commemorations
last year.

After posting a large picture of Rachel on the wall of the exhibit, the
child Ameer Barakeh (14 years) took a few steps to Rachel’s symbolic coffin,
placed some flowers and then looked for a long time at her picture and his
eyes got misty and tears rolled down his cheeks. Baraka said “even though a
long time has passed, she is still in my mind and every day I remember her
wide smile when she used to come to this parliament, sit with us, talk to
us, and give us gifts of toys and cloths”.. He added that he and other young
parliamentarians plan to hold commemorations regularly for Rachel Corrie,
Tom Hurndall, James Muller and all members of the solidarity movement who
lost their lives .. AbdelRaouf Barbakh, the supervisor for the young
parliament emphasized that the idea for the exhibit came from the children
themselves who brought possessions and gifts Corrie gave them and began
collecting all statements … Barbakh invited all civil and other groups to
come visit the exhibit. It is to be noted that Corrie (23 yo) lost her
life under an Israeli army bulldozer on March 16, 2003 while attempting to
stop the bulldozer from demolishing a home belonging to a Palestinian
citizen near the Brazil neighborhood southeast of Rafah city.

[To read Rachel’s emails to her family and friends, visit
http://www.rachelswords.org/]