Israeli Leader Slams Criticism Of Military After Shooting [View all]

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Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military Sunday following uproar over footage of a soldier lethally shooting a Palestinian attacker who had already been shot and subdued.

Netanyahu said the incident does not reflect the military's conduct, and that criticism of the armed forces as a whole over the shooting is "outrageous and unacceptable."

"The soldiers of the IDF, our children, maintain high ethical values while courageously fighting against bloodthirsty murderers under difficult operational conditions," he said. "We must all support the IDF Chief-of-Staff, the IDF and our soldiers, who safeguard our security."

The shooting took place on Thursday in the West Bank city of Hebron after two Palestinians stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier. The military said troops then shot and killed the pair.

In a video released by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, one of the attackers appears to still be alive after the initial shooting. The video, taken by a Palestinian volunteer for the group, shows the wounded Palestinian lying on the ground, slowly moving his head. About a minute later, a soldier raises his rifle and fires. Blood is then seen streaming from the Palestinian's head.

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