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Toronto, Monday, August 26, 2002 &endash; Print Edition, Page A8

Looting by Israeli troops widespread, report says

By DAN WILLIAMS

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli army came under fire yesterday after Israel Radio broadcast an investigative report finding that the looting of Palestinian property by Israeli troops earlier this year was more widespread than previously thought.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ilan Katz, deputy chief military prosecutor, told Israel Radio after its report was broadcast that seven soldiers had been convicted for looting offences and five others had been indicted and were awaiting trial.

The army spokesman's office said its military police were investigating 35 reports of looting.

"Danny," a recently discharged soldier interviewed under an assumed name, told the station that troops stole widely from Palestinian homes during the six-week-long sweep for militants launched after suicide bombings killed scores of Israelis.

"During each search, the head of the family was meant to accompany the soldiers to every room. What we would do is take the man to one room as the soldiers searched other rooms, and they would pocket things while out of his sight," he said.

"When it came to commanding officers, some knew about it and some were involved. When it came to squad leaders, all of them knew and were involved," Danny said.

The radio report was an embarrassment for the army whose creed requires stringent ethical behaviour.

It prompted calls by some politicians for a parliamentary inquiry into the incident.

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