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{{Short description|Armored bulldozer used by the Israel Defense Forces}}{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
[[File:IDF-D9-Zachi-Evenor-001.jpg|thumb|300px|An Israeli armored [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] [[Caterpillar D9|D9R]] bulldozer. Its armor allows it to work under heavy fire.]]
The '''IDF Caterpillar D9''' — nicknamed ''Doobi'' ({{lang-he|דובי}}, for [[teddy bear]]) — is a [[Caterpillar D9]] [[armored bulldozer]] used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF). It is supplied by [[Caterpillar Inc.]] and modified by the Israel Defense Forces, [[Israeli Military Industries]] and [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] to increase the survivability of the bulldozer in hostile environments and enable it to withstand attack.
In the 1980s the IDF began modifying D9 bulldozers to incorporate armour. The bulldozers can also be fitted with weaponry: machine guns and grenade launchers. There are various models, including a remote controlled version.
Over the course of numerous campaigns, IDF bulldozers have been used to demolish thousands of Palestinian homes in Gaza, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless. This is a deliberate act of punitive destruction on behalf of the IDF, ostensibly to punish the families of those accused of terrorism, which may be considered a [[war crime]] from the view of the [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref name=":3" /> The Office of the [[UN High Commissioner on Human Rights]] has advised Caterpillar Inc. that by supplying the bulldozers to the IDF it may be complicit in human rights violations.
The IDF Caterpillar D9 has been used to cause civilian deaths, such as the killing of activist [[Rachel Corrie]] in 2003 or civilians sheltering outside the [[Kamal Adwan Hospital siege|Kamal Adwan Hospital]] during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> The IDF Caterpillar D9 is operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) [[Combat Engineering Corps]] for combat engineering and [[counter-terrorism]] operations.
==Characteristics==
[[File:3-IDF-D9-bulldozers-Zachi-Evenor-cropped01.jpg|thumb|300px|Three IDF Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozers with [[slat armor]] parked near an [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] outpost.]]
The D9R, the latest generation of [[Caterpillar D9]] bulldozers in IDF service, has a power of {{convert|405|–|410|hp|lk=in}} and [[drawbar pull]] of 71.6 metric tons (about 702 k[[newton (unit)|N]]). Older generations, such as D9L and D9N are still in service, mainly in the reserve forces. The D9 has a crew of two: operator and commander. It is operated by the TZAMA (In {{lang-he|צמ"ה}} = [[:he:ציוד מכני הנדסי|ציוד מכני הנדסי]], mechanical engineering equipment) units of the [[Combat Engineering Corps]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
In some cases the bulldozers have been fitted with machine guns and grenade launchers.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
The IDF uses the D9 for a wide variety of [[combat engineering]] tasks, such as [[earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]], digging moats, mounting sand barriers, building fortifications, rescuing stuck, overturned or damaged [[armored fighting vehicle]]s (along with the [[M88 Recovery Vehicle]]), clearing [[land mine]]s, detonating [[Improvised explosive device|IED]]s and explosives, handling [[booby trap]]s, clearing terrain obstacles and opening routes to [[armored fighting vehicle]]s and [[infantry]], as well as [[house demolition|structures demolition]], including under fire.
==History==
[[File:D9N 02.jpg|thumb|IDF D9N (2nd generation armor) demolishing [[Hezbollah]]'s bunkers during the [[Second Lebanon War]]]]
[[File:D9-idf pic714.jpg|thumb|IDF D9R (3.5th generation armor) armed with [[FN Mag]] machinegun and slat armor during IDF training]]
[[Caterpillar Inc.]] introduced the [[Caterpillar D9]] bulldozer in 1954 and it quickly found its way to [[civilian engineering]] in Israel and from there it was recruited to military service by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF).
===Earlier use===
Unarmored D9 bulldozers were used in the [[Suez Crisis|Sinai War]] (1956), [[Six-Day War]] (1967), [[Yom Kippur War]] (1973) and the [[1982 Lebanon War]] (1982).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Tegler |first=Eric |date=2023-10-24 |title=Israel's Armored Caterpillar Bulldozers Will Be Active in Gaza |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2023/10/24/israels-armored-caterpillar-bulldozers-will-be-active-in-gaza/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
During the 1982 Lebanon War D9s were employed in breaching and paving ways through mountains and fields in the mountain landscape of southern Lebanon. The D9s also cleared minefields and explosive belly charges set on the main routes by Syrian army and Palestinian insurgents. Because the D9 served as front-line tools, the IDF developed armor kits to protect the lives of the soldiers operating them.<ref name="Buchboot1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/541/347.html|title=The Patent that saved Engineering Troops' Lives|last=Buchboot|first=Amir|date=8 February 2007|publisher=[[nrg Maariv]]|language=he|access-date=25 November 2011}}</ref>
===The Second Intifada===
[[File:IDF-D9-demolishes-Palestinian-structure-01.jpg|thumb|An IDF D9N (2nd generation armor) [[Israeli demolition of Palestinian property|razing a house]] during the Second Intifada]]
Armored D9 bulldozers were used during the [[Second Intifada]] (2000–2005), a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. They were used to open safe routes to IDF forces and detonate explosive charges planted by Palestinian militants. The bulldozers were used extensively to clear shrubbery and structures which were used as cover for Palestinian attacks. In addition they razed houses of families of [[suicide bomber]]s.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
Over 3,000 homes in Palestine were demolished by Israel during the conflict, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.<ref>{{cite report |title=Israel and the Occupied Territories Under the rubble: House demolition and destruction of land and property |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113041040/http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/033/2004/en/2193fae2-d5f6-11dd-bb24-1fb85fe8fa05/mde150332004en.pdf |url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/033/2004/en/2193fae2-d5f6-11dd-bb24-1fb85fe8fa05/mde150332004en.pdf |archive-date=2015-01-13 |date=2004 |publisher=Amnesty International |page=1}}</ref> The destruction of Palestinian homes promoted protests. In one such protest in Rafah in 2003 a group of eight people tried to stop a D9 bulldozer from demolishing a family home. The operator of the bulldozer drove over one of the protesters, [[Rachel Corrie]]. She died as a result of her injuries.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=2012-08-26 |title=Rachel Corrie death: struggle for justice culminates in Israeli court |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/27/rachel-corrie-death-israel-verdict |access-date=2024-04-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
Following several incidents where armed Palestinians barricaded themselves inside houses and killed soldiers attempting to breach the entries, the IDF developed "Nohal Sir Lachatz" ([[:he:נוהל סיר לחץ|נוהל סיר לחץ]] "pressure cooker procedure") in which D9s and other [[engineering vehicle]]s were used to bring them out by razing the houses; most of them surrendered because of fear of being buried alive.
During the [[Battle of Jenin (2002)|2002 Battle of Jenin]] armored D9 bulldozers cleared [[booby trap]]s and [[improvised explosive device]]s, and eventually razed houses from which militants fired upon Israeli soldiers or contained possible IEDs and booby traps. A translated interview with one of the drivers was published by [[Gush Shalom]].<ref>[http://www.gush-shalom.org/archives/kurdi_eng.html "I made them a stadium in the middle of the camp"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912105633/http://www.gush-shalom.org/archives/kurdi_eng.html |date=12 September 2010 }} Gush Shalom, English translation of Hebrew interview in Yediot Aharonot, 31 May 2002.</ref> After the deadly ambush in which 13 soldiers were killed, D9 bulldozers razed the center of the Jenin refugee camp and forced the remaining Palestinian fighters to surrender, thus finishing the battle with an Israeli victory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Matt |title=Inside the Battle of Jenin : Untangling Jenin's Tale |magazine=Time |access-date=25 November 2011 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002406,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406171459/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002406,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2008 |date=13 May 2002}}</ref>
===D9R and early 21st century===
[[File:Caterpillar d9 (4).jpg|thumb|IDF D9R (3.5th generation armor) with [[slat armor]]) during training in the desert]]During the early 2000s, the new D9R entered IDF service, equipped with a new generation armor designed by the IDF's [[MASHA]] ({{lang-he|מש"א}}, lit. Restoration and Maintenance Center), [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] and [[Zoko Shiloovim]]/[[Israeli Tractors and Equipment - ITE|ITE]] (Caterpillar Inc. importers in Israel). Due to the increasing threat of [[shaped charge]] [[anti-tank rocket]]s and [[anti-tank missile]], the IDF introduced in 2005 a [[slat armor]], installed in large numbers on the IDF D9R dozers in 2006. The slat armor proved to be effective and life-saving; its developers and installers won the IDF's Ground Command award.
The IDF also operates armored remote-controlled D9N bulldozers, called "Raam HaShachar" ({{lang-he|רעם השחר}}, lit. "thunder of dawn") often incorrectly referred as "black thunder". The remote-controlled bulldozer has been used to clear mines. They were used in the [[Second Lebanon War]] in 2006 and the [[Gaza War (2008–2009)]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Yaakov |first=Katz |date=2009-03-30 |title='Black Thunder' unmanned dozers to play greater role in IDF |url=https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/report-caterpillar-to-delay-supply-of-d9-bulldozers-to-idf |accessdate=2024-04-23 |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]]}}</ref>
Armored D9R bulldozers took part in the effort to extinguish [[2010 Mount Carmel forest fire]]. The armored bulldozers opened routes to fire trucks and fire fighters into the heart of the fire. They also created fire breaks by clearing shrubbery and pushing up soil barriers in order to prevent the fire from spreading. They also helped extinguish fires by burying them in dirt and soil.<ref>Elad Shpindel, [http://dover.idf.il/IDF/News_Channels/bamahana/2010/47/04.htm כן דובים ולא יער] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908074545/http://dover.idf.il/IDF/News_Channels/bamahana/2010/47/04.htm|date=8 September 2011}}, [[BaMachane]] (IDF Magazine), 9 December 2010</ref>
===
In total, 100 D9s were deployed during the [[Gaza War (2008–2009)]], dubbed 'Operation Cast Lead' by Israel.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Esposito|first=Michele K.|date=Spring 2009|title=Military Dimensions: The Israeli Arsenal Deployed against Gaza|publisher=[[University of California Press]] on behalf of the [[Institute for Palestine Studies]]|volume= 38| issue = 3|page=181|jstor=10.1525/jps.2009.XXXVIII.3.175|issn=1533-8614|doi=10.1525/jps.2009.XXXVIII.3.175|journal=Journal of Palestine Studies}}</ref> The war led to extensive destruction in Gaza, especially of Palestinian homes; Israeli bulldozers and anti-tank mines were commonly used. According to [[Amnesty International]]:
{{quote|"For the vast majority of homes destroyed, more than 3,000, and damaged, some 20,000, during Operation “Cast Lead”, the Israeli army has provided no evidence to substantiate its allegations that the houses were used as combat positions, as military command centres or to manufacture or store weapons – or for any other purpose which, under certain circumstances, would have made it lawful to target them."<ref>{{Cite report |title=Israel/Gaza: Operation ‘Cast Lead’: 22 days of death and destruction |year=2009 |author=Amnesty International |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/02_07_09_gaza_report.pdf |publisher=Amnesty International Publications |page=56}}</ref>}}
In March 2009, ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'' reported that the IDF intended to increase its use of unmanned D9 bulldozers, doubling the number it had.<ref name=":0" /> The following year Israel's [[Channel 2 (Israel)|Channel 2]] reported that Caterpillar would delay the delivery of D9 bulldozers to the IDF while an investigation into the killing of Rachel Corrie took place.<ref>{{Cite news |author=JPost.com staff |date=2010-10-25 |title=Report: Caterpillar to delay supply of D9 bulldozers to IDF |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/report-caterpillar-to-delay-supply-of-d9-bulldozers-to-idf |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref>
===2014 Gaza War===
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
IDF D9 armored bulldozers took major role in the [[2014 Gaza War]], both in defensive missions and offensive maneuvers. The D9s assisted other [[heavy equipment]] such as [[excavator]]s and [[Drilling|driller]]s in exposing and destroying [[Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip|cross-border underground tunnels]] penetrating into Israel, more than 30 of these tunnels were destroyed during the operation. The reserve mechanical engineering equipment (צמ"ה) and bulldozers battalion of the Central Command received a citation of recommendation (צל"ש, [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Israel|tzalash]]) from the [[Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces]].
D9s participated in the ground offensive, opening routes to [[tank]]s and [[infantry]] forces, and demolishing structures that were used by Palestinian militants. On July 27, one D9 was hit by an [[anti-tank missile]], killing its operator and wounding its commander. Another D9 demolished the building from which the missile was launched, killing 8 militants and capturing two more. The crew received a citation of recommendation (צל"ש, [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Israel|tzalash]]) for their action.
===D9T Panda===
[[File:Panda-D9R-2023-03-16-overview1.jpg|thumb|An IDF D9 Panda as depicted in an IDF press release.]]
In 2018 the Israel Defense Forces Combat Engineering Corps started to deploy and operate the "Panda" – a remote-controlled version of an armored [[Caterpillar D9]]T bulldozer. In 2018, Israel Aerospace Industries announced that it had signed a contract to equip the IDF with more D9T Panda dozers.<ref>IAI: [http://www.iai.co.il/2013/32981-49048-en/MediaRoom.aspx English] ,[http://www.iai.co.il/2013/32981-49048-he/IAI.aspx Hebrew], 2019</ref> In 2022-2023 the Panda entered regular service with the IDF.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IDF editorial team |date=2023-09-03 |title=Innovation on the Modern Battlefield: Meet the IDF's New Panda Bulldozer |url=https://www.idf.il/en/articles/2023/innovation-on-the-modern-battlefield-meet-the-idf-s-new-panda-bulldozer/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.idf.il |publisher=Israel Defense Force}}</ref>
In 2019, [[Elbit Systems]] was awarded an [[Israel Ministry of Defense|IMOD]] contract to install the [[Iron Fist (countermeasure)|Iron Fist]] [[active protection system]] on the IDF's armored D9 bulldozers, to give them extra protection from [[anti-tank missile]]s.<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-08-20 |title=Israeli Ministry of Defense Selects Elbit Systems' Iron Fist Light Decoupled Active Protection System for the Eitan AFV |url=https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/israeli-ministry-of-defense-selects-elbit-systems-iron-fist-light-decoupled-active-protection-system-for-the-eitan-afv/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=elbitsystems.com}}</ref>
===Israel–Hamas war===
During the [[Israel–Hamas war]] D9 Bulldozers were deployed on the ground offensive into Gaza where it was used to clear routes for ground forces to manoeuvre<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside a Gaza bedroom, soldiers searching for tunnels find how low Hamas can go |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/inside-a-gaza-bedroom-soldiers-searching-for-tunnels-find-how-low-hamas-can-go/ |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |website=Times of Israel |date=2023-11-10 |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> and expose shafts of Hamas combat tunnels.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yishai |first1=Ron Ben |title=Between machine guns and rocket launchers, IDF soldiers operate in captured Hamas strongholds in Gaza |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hk008ian76 |access-date=11 November 2023 |work=Ynetnews |date=5 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref> According to ''[[The Independent]]'' around 100 D9 bulldozers were expected to be used in the opening stage of the war.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Watling |first=Tom |date=2023-10-26 |title=What are Israel's 'Teddy Bear' armoured D9 bulldozers? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-hamas-ground-offensive-d9r-tank-idf-b2436356.html |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> On 16 December the IDF [[Kamal Adwan Hospital siege|captured the Kamal Adwan Hospital]]; in doing so IDF bulldozers crushed people who had been sheltering outside the hospital.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=Gaza hospital destroyed, WHO chief reiterates ceasefire call {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144887 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=news.un.org |language=en}}</ref>
An investigation by [[CNN]] published in January 2024 used satellite imagery to identify sixteen burial grounds in Gaza that had been desecrated by the IDF using bulldozers to [[Israeli razing of cemeteries and necroviolence against Palestinians|level cemeteries and dig up bodies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |last2=Darwish |first2=Muhammad |last3=Salman |first3=Abeer |last4=Brown |first4=Benjamin |last5=Mezzofiore |first5=Gianluca |date=2024-01-20 |title=At least 16 cemeteries in Gaza have been desecrated by Israeli forces, satellite imagery and videos reveal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/20/middleeast/israel-gaza-cemeteries-desecrated-investigation-intl-cmd/index.html |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Later that month [[Ynet]] reported that the IDF would buy a further 100 bulldozers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=זיתון |first1=יואב |title=יואץ גיוס לוחמות ליהל"ם, 100 כלי D9 יירכשו: התוכנית להגדלת חיל ההנדסה |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bjyh1gjqa |website=Ynet |date=25 January 2024 |language=he |trans-title=Recruitment of female fighters to Yahalam will be accelerated, 100 D9 vehicles will be purchased: the plan to increase the Corps of Engineers |accessdate=2024-08-19}}</ref> Bulldozers were also used in the [[Environmental damage in the Gaza Strip caused by the Israel–Hamas war|deliberate destruction of Gaza's environment]], with an estimated 38–48% of Gaza's farmland and tree cover destroyed by Israel's military.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Kaamil |last2=Gayle |first2=Damien |last3=Mousa |first3=Aseel |date=2024-03-29 |title='Ecocide in Gaza': does scale of environmental destruction amount to a war crime? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/29/gaza-israel-palestinian-war-ecocide-environmental-destruction-pollution-rome-statute-war-crimes-aoe |access-date=2024-04-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==Models in IDF service==
[[File:D9-models009.jpg|thumb|center|750px|Different armored '''[[Caterpillar D9]]''' generations in IDF service. <br />From left to right: <br />'''D9L''': First generation armor, {{convert|460|hp|abbr=on}}, drawbar pull {{convert|75|t}}.<br />'''D9N''': Second generation armor, {{convert|375|–|401|hp|abbr=on}}.<br />'''D9R''': Third and 3.5 generation armor, {{convert|405|hp|abbr=on}}, drawbar pull {{convert|71.6|t}}.<br />'''D9T''': Fourth generation armor, {{convert|410|–|436|hp|abbr=on}}, drawbar pull {{convert|71.6|t}}.]]
==Criticism==
{{main|Caterpillar Inc.#Israel Defense Forces sales}}
Caterpillar's sales of D9 bulldozers to the Israeli military for use in the [[occupied Palestinian territories]] has long drawn criticism from human rights groups, society groups and responsible investment monitors.<ref name=UN-Haaretz/><ref name=ToI-MSCI/>
[[Amnesty International]] released a report in May 2004 on home demolition in the occupied Palestinian territories in May 2004 that noted the risk of complicity for Caterpillar in human rights violations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/mde150402004en.pdf |title=Israel and the Occupied Territories Under the rubble: House demolition and destruction of land and property |publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref> The Office of the [[UN High Commissioner on Human Rights]] sent a letter to the company the next month warning that by selling bulldozers to the IDF [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] may be complicit in human rights violations, specifically the [[right to food]] as the bulldozers were used to destroy Palestinian farms.<ref name="UN-Haaretz">{{cite news |last=Guttman |first=Nathan |date=16 June 2004 |title=The UN vs. Caterpillar |url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4714772 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207112202/https://www.haaretz.com/2004-06-16/ty-article/the-un-vs-caterpillar/0000017f-e88c-df2c-a1ff-fedd9dec0000 |archive-date=2022-12-07 |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=Haaretz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=US bulldozer firm in Mid-East row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3805677.stm |work=BBC |date=15 June 2004}}</ref> [[Human Rights Watch]] reported the same year on the systematic use of D9 bulldozers in illegal demolitions throughout the occupied territories and called on Caterpillar to suspend its sales to Israel, citing the company's own code of conduct.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2004/11/21/israel-caterpillar-should-suspend-bulldozer-sales |title=Israel: Caterpillar Should Suspend Bulldozer Sales |date=21 November 2004 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>
The punitive destruction of Palestinian homes has been described as a form of [[collective punishment]],<ref>{{cite report |last=Darcy |first=Shane |url=https://www.alhaq.org/cached_uploads/download/alhaq_files/publications/Israels_Punitive_House_Demolition_Policy.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927101044/https://www.alhaq.org/cached_uploads/download/alhaq_files/publications/Israels_Punitive_House_Demolition_Policy.pdf |title=Israel's Punitive House Demolition Policy: Collective Punishment in Violation of International Law |year=2003 |publisher=Al-Haq |archive-date=2021-09-27}}</ref> and in the view of Human Rights Watch may be considered a war crime.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last2=Nofal |last1=Maram |first1=Humaid |first2=Aziza |title='Collective punishment': Israel demolishes Palestinian homes |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/10/collective-punishment-israel-demolishes-palestinian-homes |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>
The pro-Palestinian group [[Jewish Voice for Peace]] and four Roman Catholic orders of nuns planned to introduce a resolution at a Caterpillar shareholder meeting subsequent to the human rights reports asking for an investigation into whether Israel's use of the company's bulldozer to [[House demolition in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict|destroy Palestinian homes]] conformed with the company's code of business conduct. In response, the pro-Israel advocacy group [[StandWithUs]] urged its members to buy Caterpillar stock and to write letters of support to the company.<ref name=Caterpillar>{{cite news|last=Watanabe|first=Teresa|title=Jews Target Caterpillar Shareholder Effort|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-13-me-divest13-story.html|access-date=5 May 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=13 April 2005}}</ref>
The US investment indexer [[MSCI]] removed Caterpillar from three of its indexes for socially responsible investments in 2012, citing the Israeli military’s use of its bulldozers in the Palestinian territories.<ref name="ToI-MSCI">{{cite news |date=2012-06-27 |title=Caterpillar bulldozed off investment list because of sales to Israeli army |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/caterpillar-inc-bulldozed-off-investment-list-because-of-idf/ |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2012/6/27/caterpillar-cut-from-social-index-over-israel |title=Caterpillar cut from social index over Israel |date=2012-07-27 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> In 2017, documents emerged that showed Caterpillar had hired [[private investigators]] to spy on the family of [[Rachel Corrie]], the American human rights activist who was killed by a D9 bulldozer in [[Rafah]] in early 2003.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2017-12-12/ty-article/report-caterpillar-spied-on-rachel-corries-mourning-family-leaked-documents-reveal/0000017f-f856-d460-afff-fb76e25e0000 |title=Report: Caterpillar Hired Intelligence Firm to Spy on Rachel Corrie's Family, Leaked Documents Reveal |publisher=Haaretz |date=2017-12-12}}</ref> In 2022, the Palestinian non-governmental organization Stop the Wall called Caterpillar, alongside [[Hyundai Heavy Industries]], [[JCB (heavy equipment manufacturer)|JCB]] and [[Volvo Group]], complicit in what they referred to as Israel's [[ethnic cleansing]] of the occupied Palestinian territories through the use of its equipment in the demolition of eight Palestinian villages in [[Masafer Yatta]] in the southern [[West Bank]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2022-06-08 |title=NGO says Volvo Group, JCB Machinery, Caterpillar, and Hyundai Heavy Industries are complicit in apartheid Israel |url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/129586 |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=[[Wafa]] |publisher=}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[
*
*[[Collective punishment]]
*
*[[Rachel Corrie]], an [[International Solidarity Movement|ISM]] activist killed by an IDF D9 while acting as a [[human shield]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
Line 115 ⟶ 100:
*[http://www.army-technology.com/projects/armoured-d9r-dozer/ Armoured D9R Dozer] (of the IDF) – review im Army-Technology
*[http://www.handasa.org.il/page_14387 D9] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001903/http://www.handasa.org.il/page_14387 |date=31 December 2013 }} in Israel's Combat Engineering Corps website (Hebrew)
*[https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/idf-bulldozers/ The Israel Defense Forces operate the most heavily armored bulldozer in the world], We Are The Mighty, October 2022
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