OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The name of an aid ship aiming to break the blockade of Gaza on Friday carries the name of Rachel Corrie, an Olympia activist who was crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza.
Corrie was 23 when she was killed in 2003 trying to block the bulldozer from crushing a Palestinian home. Israel says Corrie’s death was an accident.
The MV Rachel Corrie is trying to break the three-year blockade Israel has placed on Gaza as a security measure because the territory is ruled by Hamas. The Free Gaza group says the ship is an Irish vessel carrying tons of medical and building supplies.
On Monday Israeli commandos blocked an aid flotilla headed for Gaza and killed nine people. Israel says it was self defense.
