PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
MANSLAUGHTER VERDICT IN THE CASE OF TOM HURNDALL (26 June 2005)

That this House notes that the Israeli military court has found ex-sergeant Taysir Hayb guilty of the manslaughter of Tom Hurndall; pays tribute to the dignity and determination of the Hurndall family in pressing for the case to be brought to trial; is concerned, however, that the shooting of an unarmed photographer who was trying to rescue children from danger led to a charge of manslaughter rather than murder and that the Israeli military initially resisted a thorough investigation of the incident; further notes that, whilst Tom Hurndall's killer has now been individually held to account, Human Rights Watch has recently accused Israel of investigating fewer than five per cent. of the hundreds of cases of Palestinians killed by the Israeli military since 2000; is concerned by the apparent culture of impunity which too often accompanies the actions of Israeli forces in the Occupied Territories; and, in condemning acts of violence against both Palestinian and Israeli civilians, also reminds Israel of its legal obligations as an occupying power and calls on the international community to press Israel to comply with international law in the Occupied Territories including the provisions of the 4th Geneva Convention, and to withdraw from all territories illegally occupied.

Sponsored by:
Richard Burden (Labour)