[Marxism] ADC Calls for Investigations Into Reported Israeli use of White Phosphorus on Gaza

[David Walsh <davidrail68@xxxxxxxxx>]

ADC Calls for Investigations Into Reported Israeli use of White Phosphorus on 
Gaza
Written by ADC     
Monday, 05 January 2009
Reports - Israel Using Illegal Chemical Weapon in Gaza 

ADC Calls for Investigations Into Reported Israeli use of White Phosphorus on 
Gaza


Washington, DC | January 5, 2009 | www.adc.org |

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) today called on the 
United States Government; including members of Congress, and the international 
community; including the United Nations and the International Committee of the 
Red Cross (ICRC), to investigate Israel's reported use of White Phosphorus in 
its ongoing attack on Gaza.  According to the United Nations Israel's 
overwhelming attacks on Gaza, now in their tenth day, have thus far killed 540 
people, 30% of whom are civilians, and injured over 2,750 people; including 
over 1,000 children.  Among those killed today was a family of seven from Shati 
refugee camp, who were killed by Israeli navy shelling. Three siblings from one 
family, as well as a girl and her grandfather, also died in the Zeitoun 
neighborhood of Gaza during Israeli artillery shelling.  Emergency medical 
services have also come under Israeli attack with the al-Awda hospital in 
Jabaliya being hit by two Israeli shells today.  The
 attacks have also destroyed 12 Mosques.  Since the Israeli attacks began, 
rocket fire from militants in Gaza has thus far killed 5 Israelis including one 
soldier.   




Credible media reports have indicated that the Israeli military is using White 
Phosphorus artillery shells in its bombing of Gaza.  ADC National Executive 
Director Kareem Shora said, "White Phosphorus is categorized as a chemical 
weapon by most governments and its use in civilian areas is banned by the 1980 
Geneva Convention.  It is a violation of international humanitarian law and the 
laws of war to use White Phosphorus ammunition, an incendiary weapon, in 
civilian areas." 

The UN has listed Gaza, with a population of 1.5-Million people, as the most 
densely populated area in the world with a population density that is higher 
than that of Manhattan in New York City.  White Phosphorus causes painful burn 
injuries to exposed human flesh. 

The Israeli military used White Phosphorus ammunition during the 2006 war on 
Lebanon as documented by ADC in its extensive 233-page report Eyewitness 
Lebanon: an International Law Inquiry.  White phosphorus is an indiscriminate 
killer that ignites once it is exposed to oxygen, producing such heat that it 
bursts into a yellow flame and produces a dense white smoke. 

  
www.adc.org
 





      


________________________________________________
YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message.
Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Set your options at: 
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40archives.econ.utah.edu