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Responsibility for Tom Hurndall's death

 



5 May, 2006

Published in the Daily Telegraph

 

Responsibility for Tom Hurndall's death

Sir - I question the humanity, logic and ethics of the Israel Defence Forces (News, May 3), which claim to be the most "moral army in the world".

The verdict of the British coroner's court was that my son, Tom, was "unlawfully killed" with "intent".

The claim by a senior legal adviser to the Israel Defence Forces in your report that "the military system has done its best to seek the truth" and "the rules of engagement were in accordance with international law. Commanding officers made sure that all their soldiers knew and followed the rules of engagement," could not be further from the truth.

First, the IDF failed to take statements from witnesses who stayed in the hospital in Israel where Tom was taken.

Secondly, since the beginning of the second intifada, rules of engagement are provided to soldiers verbally, not in writing, leaving it wide open to an individual soldier's interpretation.

We, too, were shot at in one of our visits to Rafah while in a diplomatic vehicle, as was the British ambassador. Given the rarity and poor quality of investigations into shootings, a message is conveyed that soldiers can shoot with impunity and get away with lying.

We are meeting the Attorney-General and, soon, Jack Straw. We look to them to bring to account those higher up the pyramid of authority responsible for such policies. While respecting races, cultures and religions, we must adhere openly to international law.

Jocelyn Hurndall, London NW5





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