Israeli Army Closes Inquiry into Protester Death

An Israeli rights group said Thursday the military had closed its investigation into the 2011 death of a Palestinian protester hit in the face with a tear gas canister.

"The decision not to file an indictment against the soldier who killed Mustafa Tamimi, nor against his commanders, conveys the indifference of the military law enforcement system to the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, and specifically towards Tamimi's death," B'Tselem said.

"This decision sends Israeli soldiers and officers the unequivocal message that, should they kill unarmed civilians, they will not be held accountable."

The statement quoted a letter to B'Tselem signed by military advocate for operational matters Lieutenant Colonel Ronen Hirsch saying the firing of the tear gas launcher occurred "according to the relevant rules and regulations and did not involve any illegality."

Contacted by Agence France Presse the military spokesman's office could not immediately confirm that the inquiry had been wound up nor respond to B'Tselem's comments.

Mustafa Abdelrazek al-Tamimi was critically wounded during a weekly demonstration in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh on Friday after being struck by an tear gas canister fired at close range. B'Tselem said he was throwing stones at an army jeep at the time.

He was taken to an Israeli hospital but died the next day.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced concern over the incident.

She "regrets the disproportionate use of force under any circumstances," her office said at the time. "She urges the Israeli authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident."