Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: On November 15th 2005, the Israeli Military Court declared the discharge of the soldier in the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) accused of killing Iman Al Hams, despite his confession. Iman Al Hams, aged 13, was killed by the IOF on October 10th 2004 while she was on the way to her school located in Rafah, in the south the Gaza Strip. She was carrying her bag and wearing her school uniform when she was shot dead by the Israeli soldiers in their military zone "Jereet" near the school on the Egyptian borders.
The Military Court decision re-emphasises that the Israeli judiciary provides legal cover to the IOF acts, and aims at legitimising the crimes committed against Palestinian civilians, crimes which are no less than war crimes. Thus, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the Court's decision to absolve Iman's killer, and asserts that war crimes and other crimes against humanity committed by the IOF are not invalidated with time. The International Community should bring to justice those who are responsible for crimes such as the killing of Iman Al Hams. Otherwise, criminals will be encouraged to commit more crimes without being penalised.