Soldiers who shot Maltese activist get suspended sentence
Bianca Zammit being carried away by other campaigners after being shot by soldiers last April. Photo: AFP
Two Israeli soldiers have been handed a “suspended sentence” after a Maltese pro-Palestinian activist was shot last April, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg was told after a visit to Gaza and Israel.
Bianca Zammit, 28, was shot in the leg by Israeli soldiers who opened fire as she joined Palestinians protesting against the imposition of a 300-metre security zone along Gaza’s border with Israel.
Dr Borg told The Sunday Times yesterday that Israeli foreign ministry officials informed him verbally that two Israeli soldiers were found guilty of breaching their superiors’ orders, though no further details were given.
“Judging by the footage we saw, and the information we have, we still maintain that the action taken by the Israelis that day was disproportionate, especially since the protesters were unarmed. The Israeli foreign office argued that the protesters had breached the line and the soldiers were being provoked.”
Asked whether he was satisfied with the action taken following the attack on a Maltese national, Dr Borg said: “At least now we know that some steps have been taken”.
Ms Zammit’s shooting sparked off a diplomatic incident, with the government calling for an inquiry, while the Israeli Ambassador to Malta, Gideon Meir, claimed the Maltese activist was being used by Hamas.
Dr Borg visited the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Friday, the first by a Maltese minister, though he did not hold talks with any of the Islamic movement’s officials.
He held several meetings with people from different sectors of society, from fishermen to students, and pledged to do his utmost to help improve the conditions of the Gazans.
“We need to open doors to Gaza. The humanitarian situation is still very bad, they are lacking basic needs, 90 per cent of their water is contaminated, schools are destroyed, but they are very resilient. Everyone I spoke to lamented that construction material was only trickling into Gaza,” he said.
Dr Borg called for a total lifting of the Gaza blockade and pledged to increase Malta’s aid to the UN agency in charge of refugees.
Asked whether his visit to Gaza would fuel Israeli claims that Malta is a vociferous pro-Palestinian supporter, Dr Borg said: “I made it very clear that we have nothing against Israel and we believe Israel’s guaranteed security is essential in the final target of a two-state solution. But we cannot agree with the settlements and we cannot agree with the state the Gazans are in.”
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Andrew Hili
Dec 21st 2010, 02:59
Dear Bianca Zammit may you have a speedy recovery and when you do, please come back to Malta and if you are still interested in doing humanitarian work, do it in your own country where it is needed just the same though not as bad! Let the Palestinians do their own fighting....you are not one of them! Do you see any foreigners helping us fight our battles here??? I think not!
May I also remind you that we don't use fire power so liberally!
And to Dr. Borg, before pledging to do your utmost to help improve the conditions of the Gazans, why not start by pledging to help improve ours!!! A good price cut in fuel prices, gas prices and electricity bills would be a very good start!
Dejjem l-istess ahna...l-aqwa li nidhru helwin u sbieh mal-barranin....mill-Malti kullhadd jigi jitmellah!!!
What a shameless country I'm sorry to say!
Christian Sciberras
Dec 20th 2010, 09:20
I would name the article:-
"A Taste of Maltese Justice"
Charles Grech
Dec 20th 2010, 08:41
why be ashamed...Maltese courts are not less. For sure she was carrying some olive branches with palestinians carrying the peace symbols
Carmel Garcia
Dec 20th 2010, 08:02
And do you believe that they where arraigned in court and given such sentence? I don't. I've been to Israel and Palestine last July and saw by my own eyes what happens there. Even to built a church, the Israeli Government says that there are enough churches around the holyland. So he gives no permits for the building of churches or mosques.
Jesmond Micallef
Dec 19th 2010, 20:41
Indeed, the people in the Gaza strip deserve a properly developed decent infrastructure for them to lead a healthy life in security but also economically. I completely agree with Dr. Tonio Borg here, quoting his own words: “I made it very clear that we have nothing against Israel and we believe Israel’s guaranteed security is essential in the final target of a two-state solution. But we cannot agree with the settlements and we cannot agree with the state the Gazans are in.” Yes, pretty much so and in my own opinion it couldn't have been better said. I also wish to extend my best wishes to Ms. Bianca Zammit and all her friends on their humanitarian endeavours in this troubled region. Please keep away from soldiers gun sights wherever they maybe. Remember, the military will shoot according to its own judgement and we have read and seen many a time that sometimes fear can instill a defensive reaction resulting in unneccessary bloodshed. May there be peace between the Palestinian people and Israeli people.
Dunstan Crockford
Dec 19th 2010, 17:45
Ah...so it`s not ONLY IN MALTA!!
G. Grech
Dec 19th 2010, 15:55
There must be some similarities between the sentences given in Israel’s courts, and the Maltese law courts. Sounds like a pantomime ...