Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- From behind a wood and plastic partition , the Israeli soldier who drove a bulldozer that crushed an American peace activist to death testified publicly for the first time Thursday . Rachel Corrie was killed seven years ago . But the driver 's identity has never been revealed and he was not charged after a month-long Israeli investigation found that no Israeli soldier was to blame . Her parents have searched for answers in their daughter 's killing . Was it intentional ? Who was accountable ? On Thursday , they finally heard from the man who was responsible . He acknowledged he was driving the bulldozer , according to Stacy Sullivan , spokeswoman for the Corrie family who was in the Haifa courtroom . He said he was aware there were protesters in the area -- he had been ordered to work carefully . He said over and over again that he did not see Rachel Corrie before he struck her ; that there was a pile of rubble impeding his vision . He showed no remorse , Sullivan said . The soldier , who was born in the Soviet Union and arrived in Israel in 1995 , was testifying in a civil suit filed by Corrie 's parents against the Israeli Ministry of Defense . Corrie 's parents can not take him to court because the Israeli Supreme Court has upheld a decision to shield him . `` We feel deeply disappointed that somehow the state of Israel feels that our being able to see the faces of these people and their body language , that some how that poses a threat to the soldiers , '' said Rachel 's mother , Cindy Corrie . In March 2003 , Rachel Corrie was working with the Palestinian-led International Solidarity Movement . She was among protesters who were attempting to prevent the Israeli military from tearing down Palestinian homes when she was killed . The Ministry of Defense said Thursday that it regrets Corrie 's death . `` But she was in a known combat area so the [ Israeli Defense Forces ] does not have responsibility , '' a spokesman told CNN . `` The case is with the court and they will make their decision . '' Craig Corrie said he does n't necessarily want to see the driver sent to jail . `` The more we found out , the more likely that the killing was intentional , or at least incredibly reckless , '' he said . `` And , as a former soldier , I was even in charge of bulldozers in Vietnam ... You 're responsible to know what 's in front of that blade , and I believe that they did . '' Craig Corrie said the soldiers , too , are victims . He does not view them with disdain . `` So I 'm not full of hatred for this person , but it was a horrendous act to kill my daughter , and I hope he understands that . '' CNN 's Michael Schwartz contributed to this report .
American Rachel Corrie was killed in 2003 after a bulldozer crushed her . The driver of the bulldozer testified from behind a protective screen . Comment: Corrie was protesting Israelis tearing down Palestinian homes .