Rebuilding starts nearly 3 years after Israeli bulldozer killed activist Corrie

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza, Palestine - Americans from across the United States and people throughout the world have contributed to an historic ground-breaking to be held in Gaza on Wednesday. The home that Rachel Corrie was trying to protect, is going to be rebuilt.

Corrie, the 23-year-old American student, was killed nearly three years ago as she faced down an Israeli Caterpillar D9 bulldozer that threatened the Narallah family's home in Gaza.

What: Dedication Ceremony and Start of Construction
When: Wednesday, November 16, at 10 a.m.
Where: Deir El Balah, Gaza - call Marwan for easy directions to house construction

Rachel Corrie lived with the Nasrallah family in their 2-family home and the family witnessed her killing on March 16, 2003. Dr. Samir Nasrallah, a pharmacist at the largest clinic in Rafah, was one of the first to reach her. The family remained in their home despite the demolition of all 2,200 surrounding homes in their Rafah neighborhood, until it too was destroyed. In May, 2004 their rental apartment, also, was destroyed when the Israeli military's Operation Rainbow razed 117 homes in the Brazil neighborhood of Rafah.

"This new house will be a symbol of love and peace, connecting the American people in solidarity with the Palestinian people," said Dr. Samir Nasrallah. "It embodies what Rachel most cared for: peace, friendship, and belief in freedom here and throughout the world."

The two-family Nasrallah home is the first home in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza, sponsored by Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in partnership with the American nonprofit, The Rebuilding Alliance.

"Tell them there is hope. Let people know you can help stop this violence.," said Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, chair of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. "Help us rebuild homes and lives, family by family. Help us bring peace for Palestine and Israel. It is only when you help that the spirit of life and hope will win."

Video Footage Available Upon Request

Available for interviews in Gaza

DR. SAMIR NASRALLAH and his wife UM KAREEM, a pharmacist and his wife.

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KHALED and SAMAH NASRALLAH, an accountant, and his wife. They joined the parents of Rachel Corrie for a seven state U.S. speaking tour in June to share their story and the story of Rafah and to raise funds to rebuild their two-family home where both brothers and their respective families will live together once again.

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DR. EYAD EL SARRAJ, Director General and Founder of Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and Commissioner-General of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights. He has presented briefings in the Rayburn Building of Congress.
Marwan Diab, Deputy Director of Public Relations Department.
GAZA COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME, the largest mental health provider in Gaza, provides psycho-social programs to children, women, and victims of human rights violations. www.gcmhp.net

Available for interviews in the U.S.

CRAIG AND CINDY CORRIE, Rachel Corrie's parents
Since their daughter Rachel's death, Cindy and Craig Corrie have devoted their time to raising awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian issue and to seeking a just peace for all in the region. They continue to seek justice and accountability for their daughter's killing through diplomatic and legal channels. In March 2005, they initiated lawsuits against the State of Israel, the Israeli military and Caterpillar, Inc. Subsequently, they have been joined by Palestinian plaintiffs in the suit against Caterpillar, Inc.

''We believe it is important for the people of Gaza to see that Americans know what has happened to them, that we understand, and are taking responsibility for that,'' said Cindy Corrie, Rachel's mother. ''Rachel wrote of the importance of making commitments to places and initiated this one to Rafah, Gaza. The commitment Rachel made continues.''

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DONNA BARANSKI-WALKER, Executive Director of the Rebuilding Alliance
An MIT engineer and past president of her Rotary Club, Donna coordinated the fundraising for the rebuilding of six Palestinian homes, a peace center, and a kindergarten in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and this first home construction in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza.

"I dream of helping communities in conflict zones rebuild neighborhoods to provide safety for families who lost everything, encourage all who build, not destroy, and awaken the world to keep them safe."

THE REBUILDING ALLIANCE, a grassroots, human rights action group, lends support to Palestinian families as they rebuild their homes and schools during continuing occupation and siege. Through rebuilding, we engage the local Palestinian community, sympathetic Israelis, and people around the world in a hands-on process that builds relationships and reinforces the alliances needed to sustain conscience, encouragement, legal protection, and policy change. We view this model for reconstruction and the safeguarding of fair housing rights as a cornerstone for community-driven peacemaking in conflict areas. www.RebuildingAlliance.org