MSP won’t apologise for sharing old IDF story as it still ‘acts with impunity’
Pauline McNeill doubled down after falsely claiming an IDF officer was acquitted by a millitary court last week
A Labour MSP has refused to apologise after falsely claiming an IDF officer was acquitted by a military court last week over the killing of a Palestinian teenager.
Pauline McNeill shared a Guardian article from 2005 which revealed an Israeli officer was cleared of all charges in connection with the death of 13-year-old teen Iman al-Hams in Gaza, who was killed by IDF gunfire.
The officer, referred to as Captain R, had been accused of illegal use of his weapon, conduct unbecoming of an officer and perverting the course of justice.
McNeill shared the article, falsely claiming in a later tweet, which was shared thousands of times, that Captain R had been acquitted on Saturday, when in fact the verdict was handed down 14 years-ago.
After several online users pointed out that the story dated back to 2005, the MSP refused to apologise, claiming the IDF continue to act with impunity.
“I didn’t notice this article widely posted on FB I had been [sic] is 2005,” she wrote. “Just so you know. However the behaviour of the army continues to act with impunity and children are still being detained and shot at going to school.”
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Scottish Labour said: “It was a genuine error by Pauline which she has clarified 24 hours ago.”
Jennifer Gerber, director of LFI, said: “It does nothing to further the cause of peace by presenting a tragic story that is nearly 15 years old as both a recent event and representative of Israel’s actions.
“Such an unbalanced, inaccurate and misleading approach distorts the public debate, further demonises the state of Israel, and fuels antisemitism.”
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