Israeli cleared for shooting schoolgirl

[Aidoneus]

Israeli cleared for shooting schoolgirl
By Khalid Amayreh in Jerusalem
Saturday 16 October 2004

The Israeli army has cleared a commander serving in the southern Gaza town of Rafah of any wrongdoing a few days after he riddled a Palestinian girl's body with bullets.

The company commander, whose identity was not revealed, shot 13- year-old Iman al-Hams as she was on her way to school in Rafah. A few minutes later he riddled her body and head with 15 to 20 bullets to make sure she was dead.

The practice, known as verification of killing, is used widely in the Israeli army after shootings of Palestinians.

Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Moshe Yaalon on Friday concluded that the platoon commander acted properly and that no action should be taken against him.

In a briefing to the Israeli cabinet last week, Yaalon argued that the officer should be given the benefit of the doubt, saying he suspected she could have been used by Palestinian fighters to divert soldiers' attention and lure them from their positions.

--snip--

"The commander walked toward her, he shot her two additional bullets before returning to the outpost. Then he returned to the girl, put his weapon on the automatic mode and emptied his entire magazine."

"Our hearts ached for her - just a 13-year-old girl. How can anyone spray a girl from close range? The commander was hot for a long time to take out Arabs and shot the girl to relieve pressure."

--snip--

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9846641F-082C-4850-8534-8772D68C9C55.htm

[Aidoneus]

1. the other part--typically changed story when caught in a lie

--snip--

When the incident occurred nearly 10 days ago, an Israeli army spokesperson said the girl might have been carrying a bomb in her school bag, and that she had to be killed to rule out any risk to troops.

It was also said that she might have tried to lure out soldiers so Palestinian snipers could shoot them.

The Israeli army later said the girl entered a closed military zone and had to be killed.

--snip--

same link..

[lefty_mcduff]

2. This stuff makes the heart heavy.

Bastards.

[bemildred]

6. Well, I'm glad we cleared this up.

I hope the platoon commander is feeling less stressed now.
Let's hope he doesn't forget to stay under cover in the future.
:puke:

[Gyre]

3. Israelis you fucks just keep on killing kids. If you get your wish

and * is elected, he'll start WWIII w/ Iran. Try to guess what country will be the first to get vaporized? If they go, my guess is they're taking Israel w/ them.

Gyre

[livinbella]

4. Bush will protect israel above the US

Whatever it takes in US lives, money, and weapons,
israel will be protected.

[tinnypriv]

5. An undercover IDF unit shot a guy in the head the other day (in the WB)

While he was injured and on the ground, then gave orders to "kill everyone".

Back onto this topic, it is interesting that the reason for clearing "Commander C" is that there is "no evidence" that he shot the girl at close range. Which is because the IDF refused to accept evidence from Palestinian doctors (standard practice in military investigations).

Apparently the commander is going to be discharged with full honors - the only blemish being that he doesn't have a good relationship with his subordinates (in English: they reported his crimes), and "left his position", which could have "exposed (him) to snipers".

In other words, shooting a little girl is fine, but make sure you don't go out to check how dead she is - you never know when an Arab might be waiting with a gun.

Another new low for the "beacon" of democracy and human rights I think.

[Matilda]

7. Why am I not surprised?

I hope there is a special place in hell reserved for Sharon and his
murderous thugs.