The IDF Chief Prosecutor has decided not to hand down indictments in the case of the accidental killing of two guards in the Hevron area a year and a half ago.



On March 13, 2003, two Israeli citizens were killed by IDF forces in the Southern Mt. Hevron region. Second Lt. Yoav Doron, an off-duty IDF officer, and his friend Yehuda Ben-Yosef had been privately hired to guard the area - while at the same time, a paratroopers unit had been informed that terrorists were in the area.



The tragic incident began when soldiers sighted the two Israelis driving north of the Jewish community Pnei Chever, and signaled the driver to stop. When they saw that he was armed, they opened fire, mortally wounding him. The other guard apparently tried to run away, but an Israel Air Force helicopter called to the scene fired and killed him as well. Though local residents were informed that a terrorist attack was underway, the bitter truth soon became known: two Israeli citizens had been killed in error.



Chief IDF Prosecutor Brig.-Gen. Avi Mandelblit decided that he would not press charges, and would rather suffice with the administrative measures taken until now. The appointment of Judea Brigade Commander, Col. Haggai Mordechai, as commander of the Paratroopers was delayed, and two other officers received negative comments in their records. Col. Mordechai will also not be promoted in rank until 2009.



The parents of Yoav Doron were disappointed with the decision, and said that the investigation was incomplete.



Ironically, the writing of a Torah scroll in Doron's memory was completed today, in the presence of former Chief Sephardic Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron. A joyous celebration was held to mark the occasion: singing, dancing, and a mini-parade to the Dati-Leumi Synagogue in Har Nof, Jerusalem, where the Dorons pray; speeches by rabbis and public figures; and buses will then take the celebrants to Mitzpeh Eshtamoa, in the southern Mt. Hevron region, where the Torah scroll will be placed in the town's Netzach Yoav synagogue, in memory of Yoav.