The Israeli army has promoted an Israeli officer who ordered the shooting of Palestinians and international activists during a Separation Wall protest in the West Bank.
(Al Ray) Hebrew newspaper Maariv said, in its Monday issue, that the officer has been upgraded to Brigadier General after he ordered the firing on protesters Feb. 26, 2003, near the Separation Wall in the northern occupied West Bank.
According to the newspaper, Israeli soldiers carried out the order after getting the permission from the officer, injuring both a Jewish and an American protester.
Following the incident, the officer, along with two soldiers, appeared before a military court, which held him responsible for the firing, the Israeli publication said. However, the military prosecutor did not convict him, so as not to hinder his future promotion.
A military spokesman commented on the promotion, saying that they scrutinized the circumstances of the incident and found that nothing could keep the condemned officer from the new position.
