Sometimes because of PR and politics you sacrifice a person to prove a point. Israel is always conscience of how the world perceives them. It seems to me they (Israel) are always judged harsher than other countries. While I could go into countless examples, this isn't the time. But rather to point out how Israel is a fair country that takes seriously how its people treat others. When has Israel's enemies ever made a criminal out of somebody that killed civilians. Rather the opposite is true, they make heroes of them. The recent drive-by shootings that killed 4 civilians is just another example, they held a parade the next day to "celebrate" the "heroic acts of resistance", as Hamas referred to them. But in Israel this behavior is abhorred and punished, this two year trial is proof of it. The Israeli society doesn't want or condone this sort of behavior, so for shooting a guy in the toe while blindfolded and handcuffed...he posed no threat...Israel punishes this behavior, as it should. Although it seems they may have gone overboard...based on the video I saw...in this case. Understand one important point, this is perceived as weakness by Israel's enemies. They believe and only care about how easy it is to manipulate public opinion against Israel. Isn't funny that a case like this...shooting a guy in the toe...get more PR that the Arabs murdering 4 civilians? What's wrong with that picture.

If the soldier's deeds are so bad, why not tell the truth? The fact that the story is exaggerated indicates that this is a set-up. The rioter Ashraf Abu Rahma was not "shot while handcuffed". A rubber bullet (a non-lethal weapon) was discharged near him, striking near his foot. Abu Rahma says the bullet broke his toe, although this has never been proven.

Everyone who looks at the video, sees that Ashraf Abu Rahma is handcuffed with his hands behind his back and he is blindfolded too. To shoot a person in this condition is a cowardly and despicable act. The Israeli soldier was ordered by his superior to shoot him in the foot. He suffered a left big toe injury (broke his toe). The big toe is the most important digit of the foot. As a result of the fracture Ashraf still has a limp these days I am told. These are cylindrical or round rubber bullits with a steel cylindrical or steel round core. I brought some home from Gaza as souvenirs. They are designed to cause painful bruises/injuries. When properly used they are not lethal. When I worked in the Gaza Strip as a health worker I treated some Palestinian wounded who were injured by these missiles. Israeli soldiers would fire them sometimes at point blank range at captured prisoners. I have one x-ray on slide of a young Palestinian with three rubber coated steel cylinders in his thigh, shot at point blank range. Palestinians have been killed by them because they were hit in the head from a very short distance. The steel core gives these missiles great kinetic energy, when shot from a very short distance and hence they can cause serious and sometimes even lethal injuries.

When you worked in Gaza. Thats all in the past now as you were not granted entry into Israel when you tried to re-enter. Pleasant dreams.