The two Israeli soldiers who infamously used a 9-year-old Palestinian boy as a human shield during Israel’s 2009 war on Gaza have avoided jail time, getting off with demotions and three-month suspended sentences. –JCL

The Guardian:

Two Israeli soldiers who used a nine-year-old Palestinian boy as a human shield were today given suspended sentences and demoted after being convicted of “inappropriate conduct”.

The unnamed soldiers, from the Givati Brigade, ordered Majeh Rabah, from the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in Gaza City, to check bags for explosives in January 2009, towards the end of Israel’s three-week offensive. The Israel Defence Force handbook forbids the use of human shields, known as “neighbour procedure” .

The pair, who completed their compulsory military service 18 months ago, were convicted last month after a closed military trial that became a cause célèbre among soldiers who claim they are being victimised following international criticism over Israel’s actions during the war.

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