Israeli army 'lied' about Miller death

[newyorican]

Israeli soldiers stand accused this weekend of 'lying' and tampering with evidence in an attempt to obstruct an inquiry by military prosecutors into the death of British film-maker James Miller, according to internal army documents seen by The Observer.

A 79-page report by the chief lawyer of the Israeli army's southern command into the shooting of Miller in the Gaza Strip details how soldiers questioned over the killing changed earlier testimonies. The version of events offered by the soldier originally implicated in the shooting, identified only as Second Lieutenant H, were so contradictory that his accounts were described in the report as coming 'full circle'.

'Evidence shows that Second Lieutenant H heard his soldiers lying in their testimonies during the investigation, and unfortunately did not mention that fact to his commanders, that his soldiers are giving them details that are not true,' the report says.

[Coastie for Truth]

1. Compare to the culture in other armies--->

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1415533
Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/headlines/D89KO8TO1.html
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/22/AR2005042201567.html
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/23/politics/23abuse.html?

Just illustrative of cultures for truth telling and covering up in various militaries. (I am an honorably discharged, VietNam veteran).

[newyorican]

2. To Quoue...

is not a defense. It is an admission. The topic is the IDF and this incident. Nothing more, nothing less.

That being said, feel free to comment on the actual topic at your leisure.

[pelsar]

3. inquiries...

i guess this is why there are inquiries, courts, judges, lawyers, newspapers, radios etc....an integral part of a western democracy....sometimes it works better, sometimes it barely squeeks along. ...but it appears to be "the norm" within the western democracies when it comes to military justice (i am reading about bloody sunday, the US prison scandel, etc)

newyorican...outside of the actual report...whats your personal reaction?

[bemildred]

4. I'm probably peeing into the wind here, but I find the idea

that military organizations are about anything but violence and
deceit very funny. All armies throughout history have lied
whenever they wanted to, as a matter of policy, as a matter of
expediency, to anyone they felt like lying to, and to expect
that the IDF is different in any way is ludicrous. And of course,
in order that the lying may be effective, they all pretend that
they do not, that they follow rules and have laws, but in practice,
when the chips are down, they do whatever they like, no morals or
ethics of any kind apply.

[Coastie for Truth]

5. One appender appended

"I'm probably peeing into the wind here, but I find the idea
that military organizations are about anything but violence and
deceit very funny. All armies throughout history have lied
whenever they wanted to, as a matter of policy, as a matter of
expediency, to anyone they felt like lying to, and to expect
that the IDF is different in any way is ludicrous. And of course,
in order that the lying may be effective, they all pretend that
they do not, that they follow rules and have laws, but in practice,
when the chips are down, they do whatever they like, no morals or
ethics of any kind apply.

Lies, duplicity, coverups are part of the stock in trade of ALL military organizations, especially in the case of atrocities and "friendly fire deaths."

I am an Honorably Discharged Veteran of the American military - and I say again -- based on tragic personal experience -- "Lies, duplicity, coverups are part of the stock in trade of ALL military organizations, especially in the case of atrocities and "friendly fire deaths."

ALL military organizations, - American, Israeli, British, Australian, German, Dutch, Japanese, Romanian, ALL military organizations.

I have seen the misdeeds and coverups. My family has suffered from the misdeeds and the coverups. My dad has seen the misdeeds and coverups.

ALL military organizations, - American, Israeli, British, Australian, German, Dutch, Japanese, Romanian, ALL military organizations have atrocities and "friendly fire deaths" - and coverups.

Those who uncover the coverups get "taken care of."

[Chomskypirate]

6. 'the guardian"...

Guarding the lies of elitist anglo liars everywhere

[Englander]

7. "Blimey,guv'nor..!"

That's a very,er,novel suggestion,would you like
to elaborate on that?

[Scurrilous]

8. Cameraman’s family sues Israel

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3080201,00.html

IDF unit killed British cameraman James Miller two years in Gaza; family suing for two million pounds

<snip>

"The family of British cameraman James Miller filed on Monday in the Tel Aviv District Court a lawsuit against the Defense Ministry.

The cameraman was killed by IDF fire two years ago in Rafah; the family is now asking for two million British pounds in compensation.

According to the family, the State of Israel and its agents did not take reasonable steps to identify Miller, who was holding a white flag, before shooting him."

<snip>

"Brig. Gen. Avi Mandelblit, the IDF’s Judge Advocate General, decided 10 days ago to appeal the acquittal of the officer involved in the killing of the British cameraman.

The deputy company commander in the Bedouin Desert Battalion who was brought up on disciplinary charges was cleared of illegal use of weaponry. Now Mandelblit wants him retried by a general, most likely the head of the Southern Command."

[Englander]

9. Festival honour for shot director

Thursday, 5 May, 2005, 09:04 GMT 10:04 UK

A documentary made by a British cameraman killed during the making of it in Gaza has won an award at a human rights festival in the Czech Republic.

The One World 2005 jury in Prague selected James Miller's Death in Gaza for its "humanism" and "dynamic action.

More than 120 films were shown at the festival, organised by the People in Need charity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4515881.stm