Corrie family 'whitewash' claim

The parents of Rachel Corrie are seeking unspecified compensation in a civil case from Israel's defence ministry for their daughter's death in 2003.

Ms Corrie was killed when she tried to block a bulldozer from demolishing a Gaza home.

The driver said he didn't see her, and the Israeli military has ruled her death an accident - but her parents reject this as a cover-up.

Ms Corrie was an activist with the International Solidarity Movement, which helps organise peaceful direct action against Israeli military operations in the occupied territories.

At Wednesday's opening of the civil case, the Corries' lawyer demanded a new investigation into her death.

Husein Abu Husein said: "The Israeli government is covering this up under the umbrella of combat activity, which absolves soldiers of responsibility.

Mr Husein said that he would present his case over the next two weeks, but a ruling isn't expected for about a year.

A crowd of supporters gathered outside the court, holding posters of Ms Corrie and calling for justice for her family.

"On March 16 2003 Rachel was ripped away from our family. It left an enormous void in our life that can never be replaced and I know that many people in this part of the world have similar voids in their lives," her mother Cindy Corrie told reporters.

The Corries have previously unsuccessfully tried to sue Caterpillar, the US company that manufactured the bulldozer.

They claimed the company was liable for aiding and abetting human rights violations.