Payout for family of Gaza film-maker

Taken from Yahoo News (via ITN News) 01.02.2009

The family of a film-maker shot dead by the Israeli army have accepted a settlement.

James Miller, 34, from Braunton, north Devon, died in May 2003 while working on a documentary for the American HBO network about the impact of terrorist action on Palestinian children in a refugee camp in Rafah, Gaza.

Mr Miller's family said in a statement: "The family of British film-maker James Miller confirmed today that it accepted a settlement from the Israeli government, saying that after five and a half years since his death this is the nearest they are likely to get to an admission of guilt by the Israeli government."

The award-winning cameraman and documentary maker was shot at night by an Israeli soldier despite carrying a white flag.

Mr Miller was trying to ask troops if it was safe to leave the area when he was hit in the neck.

The serviceman who opened fire was cleared of misusing firearms in 2005, but the following year an inquest in the UK found Mr Miller was unlawfully killed.

No details of the settlement were given but the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported a sum of around £1.5 million was paid to the family.

Mr Miller's death came before the killing of peace activist Tom Hurndall, who was left in a coma after being shot in the head by an Israeli soldier.

The 22-year-old from Tufnell Park, north London, was shepherding children to safety in Rafah when he was hit. He died nine months later.

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The Israel War and PR machine will not stop at anything to cover their dirty tracks. Lucky this story was exposed and although they trie dtheir best - they could not hide all the evidence on the death of an innocent man. I hope the family of Tom Hurndall find peace after this emotional saga.