Chief of Staff Dan Halutz ruled that Kortzki will continue his IDF career
Photo: Amit Shaby
IDF officer to remain despite conviction
First Lieuteneant Tzvi Kortzki fired a single shot at a wall after his vehicle was surrounded by a Palestinian mob; bullet entered apartment killing 16 year-old Muhammad Ali Nagiv
IDF officer First Lieutenant Tzvi Kortzki will be allowed to continue his army service despite being convicted of negligence leading to the death of a Palestinian teenager, according to IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz.
Halutz recently ruled that Kortzki could remain in the IDF, on the condition that any future promotion of Kortzki would be authorized by Halutz alone.
Kortzki was the only IDF office in the course of the intifada to be convicted of the severe charge of causing death by negligence. In May 2004, a land forces military court sentenced him to two months active jail time and four months military work duty, in addition to a demotion in rank from captain to first lieutenant.
On October 4 2004, Kotzki, 27, headed a battalion searching for a car bomb in the West Bank. While searching for the vehicle, Kortzki's vehicle was surrounded by Palestinians, who began throwing stones at his vehicle. Kortzki fired shot a single bullet from his personal weapon at a wall of an adjacent building. The bullet entered an apartment and struck 16 year-old Muhammad Ali Nagiv, who later died of his injuries.
Military court judges justified their decision to convict Kortzki, saying that "the punishment of a military officer who used a hot weapon in a dangerous manner, and with lethal consequences, must project a moral stance which fairly reflects the sanctity of every human life."
After the sentencing, Kortzki appealed the decision, but the conviction was not overturned. Kortzki's parents, Malca and Yafim, launched a public campaign to clear their son's name, and demonstrated outside the Ministry of Defense.
Ynet has also learned that the IDF has decided to send Kortzki on a three year educational program, in which he will be able to advance in the army.
