Here is one of many news accounts of the death of Iman al-Hams last October 5th.

"few deaths have stirred such a sense of disbelief or disdain as that of Iman al-Hams.

She was killed on Oct.5, as she made her way to school. Her friends say that, because they were running late, they took a shortcut -- a route that ventured dangerously close to an area deemed off-limits by the Israeli army.

From all accounts, when Iman wandered too close, the soldiers fired warning shots from their guard tower. Jolted and frightened, she dropped her school bag and tried to run. She did not get far."

Read the full article at:

www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/scfcn/CTVNews/20041013/palestiniangirl_inquiry_20041013/World/

Look at the aerial photo again. Is it reasonable that she was 'taking a shortcut'??? Is it even possible?

Why did she drop her backpack? Wouldn't that have caused IDF soldiers to fear that there was a bomb in her backpack? Her arrival in the off-limits area occurred at a time in which the IDF outpost was under fire by snipers.

THAT is why the IDF exonerated the officers. It was entirely reasonable for them to shoot her under the circumstances. She was way way way far away from her school.

Perhaps those who still believe the fiction that she was an innocent schoolgirl walking to school when she was shot, can provide their own aerial photo of the site and prove a different result.

My guess is they can't even provide a map which disputes the photo above.

Please read the article at:www.dafka.org/NewsGen.asp about Palestinian use of childen in their terror operations.

Here are a few excerpts:

"At least 40 children from the city of Raphah have lost their arms as a result of the explosions of pipe bombs. They received five Israeli shekels (about one U.S. dollar) for throwing them." (see original article at
honestreporting.com/graphics/abumazen.gif)

"The Palestinian Authority has provided children with military training. The New York Times reports that 25,000 children were trained in the summer 2000 in PA camps in the use of firearms, the making of Molotov cocktails, the methods of kidnapping Israeli leaders, and conducting ambushes." (New York Times - Aug. 3, 2000)

"The use of children reflects a long-time Palestinian strategy in the fight against Israel. In June 1982, the PLO issued a military call-up order for all boys aged 12 and older whose fathers served in Fatah units. The children were promised $80 a month and were attached to regular PLO battalions, each serving in his father's company."

DOES THE PA ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO COMMIT ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST JEW?

"Religious leaders also encourage the martyrdom of children. Sheik 'Ikrimi Sabri, the Palestinian Authority-appointed mufti of Jerusalem, declared: "I feel the martyr is lucky because the angels usher him to his wedding in heaven... The younger the martyr, the greater and the more I respect him." ("Al-Ahram Al-Arabi" - Oct. 28, 2000)

And finally,:

"Another Palestinian mother was quoted in the London Times: "I am happy that [my 13-year-old son] has been martyred. I will sacrifice all my [12] sons and daughters to Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem."

So much for the guy who chastised me by insisting the Palestinians never use 13 year-olds for suicide bombers or to become martyrs for Holy Jihad.

As for the commander shooting Iman al-Hams after she was dead--I too find this repulsive. But you can imagine, in a situation where suicide bombers come regularly to attack IDF soldiers, that they would want to make sure some injured bomber didnt have just enough strength left to pull a trigger.

War is hell. But it's the Arabs who have continually waged war against Israel and the Arabs who won't recognize the right of a tiny, Jewish country to exist anywhere in the mideast. Their hatred is so deep, and so cultivated by their schools, mosques, and civil leaders, that they will sacrafise their own children just to kill Jews.

As for Israeli mothers sending their sons and daughters into the IDF, I don't see a moral equivalence. Is it immoral to join a police force even if you end up shooting a bad guy now and then?