The Israeli army charged two soldiers on Thursday over the alleged shooting with a rubber bullet at point-blank range of a bound and blindfolded Palestinian, a military spokesman said.
 
Lieutenant Colonel Omri Borberg, a regimental commander suspended last month pending a military investigation, was transferred from his position a day earlier over allegations he ordered the soldier, identified only as Staff Sergeant L., to fire the bullet.
 
"The Military Advocate General determined that the said incident reflects a severe moral failure of command, and requires that both the officer and soldier involved will be tried in a military court," the spokesman said in a statement.
 
The Military Advocate General said it was charging the soldiers with the offence of "unworthy conduct". An army spokesman said the two could each receive a maximum one-year jail sentence.
 
The incident took place five weeks ago in the West Bank village of Nilin during protests against the construction of Israel's barrier in and around the occupied territory.
 
The shooting was captured on video and released by Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. Borberg said he told the soldier only to shake his rifle to frighten the Palestinian, according to initial army findings.