THE family of Rachel Corrie accused Israel yesterday of shielding its military after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal over her death.

In a ruling on Thursday, Israel’s highest court upheld a 2012 decision that cleared the military of responsibility, claiming the incident happened “during wartime” and was a “regrettable accident.”

The US activist was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer while protesting with Palestinians in 2003.

“We have come to see through this experience how deeply all Israel’s institutions are implicated in the impunity enjoyed by the military,” the family said.

“The Supreme Court decision ignores international law regarding the protection of civilians and human rights defenders… and grossly violates the internationally recognised right to effective remedy.”

The family said they were determined to raise awareness of the case internationally and hoped for wider condemnation of Israel’s actions. 

“We urge the international community, not least the US government, to stand with victims of human rights violations,” they said.

Elsewhere, Israel freed 14-year-old Palestinian schoolgirl Malak al-Khatib, who was jailed six weeks ago for allegedly planning to attack Israelis.

Israel arrests about 1,000 children every year in the West Bank, according to rights group Defence for Children International Palestine.

At the time, an Israeli military spokeswoman said Malak was convicted after a plea bargain, but her father said her confession counted for little.

“A 14-year-old girl surrounded by Israeli soldiers will admit to anything,” he said bitterly.

“She would admit to holding a nuclear weapon if she was accused.”