[Summary] Irregularities and inconsistencies have fueled suspicion that a woman from the town of Bil'in, in the West Bank, died on Friday from other than having inhaled tear gas fired as a means of riot control by the IDF.
Among the details being scrutinized by the IDF at present are the following:
The hospital’s records listed the official cause of death as “inhaling gas from Israeli soldier according to the family.” Her family’s report that she was “hurt by Israeli gas” was not corroborated by any other source.
The hospital admission record stated that the woman had never been to the hospital before, but Israeli officials have confirmed that Rahma had been treated there many times over the last month, and indeed was on various medications – including one commonly used to treat leukemia.
If suspicions are confirmed and the woman died from other than exposure to tear gas on the scene of a pre-meditated riot, contentions by the Palestinians of Israel's commission of a war crime will be chalked up as yet another example of anti-Israel propaganda.
You may wish to scan the continuing coverage of this matter online at ynetnews.com
//Mark Finkelstein jcrc@dmjfed.org
