The only 'democracy' in the region?

The army decided not to prosecute the soldier believed responsible for the death of a British filmmaker in the Gaza Strip, the victim's family said Wednesday, vowing to seek a court review of the findings. The family of James Miller said military prosecutor-general Avihai Mandelblitt told them the soldier would not be indicted in connection with the cameraman's death but would be disciplined for changing his story during the investigation. The army said military police had carefully investigated the incident and had been unable to establish the soldier's guilt. "The findings of the military police show that an Israel Defense Forces lieutenant, the commanding officer of the IDF force at the site, allegedly fired his weapon in breach of IDF rules of engagement," a statement said. "However, it is not legally possible to link this shooting to the gunshot sustained by Mr. Miller."After meeting with Mandelblitt, Miller's sister, Katie, said the fact that the soldier would not be indicted was "very difficult to take." Miller was gunned down in May 2003 while making a documentary about the impact of regional violence on children. He and his colleagues were leaving a Palestinian family's home in the Rafah refugee camp after dark when the shooting occurred. Miller's group carried a white flag and called out to troops that they were British journalists, but as they walked toward an Israeli armored personnel carrier, an Israeli soldier opened fire and shot Miller in the neck, the family said.

Israel Will Not Indict in Filmaker's Death
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)