Israeli officer admits ordering West Bank shooting: report

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — An Israeli army commander confessed to ordering a soldier to shoot a blindfolded and handcuffed Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet, Israeli television news channel 10 reported on Thursday.

The officer, named as Lieutenant Colonel Omri, told investigators: "I said jokingly to the soldier 'come on, shoot him with a rubber-coated bullet'," the private station said, citing a military report into the incident.

The soldier told the inquiry he believed he was being given an order because the comments came from a superior officer, the channel added, quoting the same source.

The shooting was caught on video, and footage showing the demonstrator being held by the arm by an officer while the soldier appeared to aim at his leg was released on July...