Israeli soldier held on shooting of Briton
Chris McGreal in Jerusalem Thursday January 1, 2004 The Guardian
An Israeli soldier has been arrested after admitting that he shot in the head a British peace activist, leaving him in a persistent vegetative state. The Israeli military announced yesterday that the soldier had been accused over the shooting of 22-year-old Tom Hurndall following an inquiry which was urged on them by the student's family and the Foreign Office.
Mr Hurndall was shot eight months ago in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip as he tried to help children out of the path of an Israeli tank.
The Israeli army claimed the man they shot was wearing camouflage and was carrying a gun - a claim denied by Mr Hurndall's family.
The Foreign Office pressed for a full criminal investigation into the incident and in May Jack Straw was promised by the Israelis that there would be a "full and transparent inquiry".
The Foreign Office said it "greatly welcomed" the arrest and reiterated its call for a thorough investigation.
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Mr Hurndall's family yesterday said the arrest was a vindication of their months-long campaign for a full investigation of the shooting, because the army's initial report was a "straightforward fabrication".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1114541,00.ht 
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