Taking On Fraudulent White Phosphorus Allegations

Those who hate Israel have been preoccupied with making fraudulent claims regarding the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and their use of white phosphorus. In fact, many have been so busy making claims which the International Committee of the Red Cross have said are completely unfounded that they have not condemned Palestinian terrorists for using white phosphorus in their mortar weapons which are meant to maim or destroy the Israeli civilian population. Earlier in January a mortar shell which landed in the Negev had traces of white phosphorus.

The council's security chief, Nikki Levy, said that "the potential danger of using such a rocket is enormous. It is far more dangerous than other Qassam rockets and mortal shells. This is an escalation in the type of explosives the Palestinians use on civilians."

The IDF (and most armies in the world) use some traces of phosphorus in flares which is permitted according to international law. The flares have assisted in search and rescue efforts in saving lives of wounded soldiers or preventing Hamas from snatching soldiers. It also allows for wider viability.

The following is a segment from an Israeli news channel which addressed the claims of improper use of white phosphorus. A retired general mentions how the IDF used smoke bombs, not actual phosphorus. He also mentions that there has been limited condemnation from the international community regarding the fact that thousands of rockets have been launched at Israeli civilians by Islamic terrorists in Gaza for nearly nine years.

Gerald Steinberg of the Jerusalem Post has also discussed the fraudulent claims regarding the use of white phosphorus. He addressed the Human Rights Watch in particular:

HRW's "evidence" was based entirely on innuendo and unverifiable "eyewitness" reports. One report states that "[o]n January 9, Human Rights Watch researchers on a ridge overlooking Gaza from the northwest observed multiple air-bursts of artillery-fired WP that appeared to be over the Gaza City/Jabalya area. In addition, Human Rights Watch has analyzed photographs taken by the media on the Israel-Gaza border." HRW does not name its researchers; it does not provide a detailed location of its observation, nor does it identify the photos it "analyzed" making independent verification of this "evidence" impossible.

Indeed, two days later, the International Committee of the Red Cross, which certainly cannot be accused of a pro-Israeli bias, issued a statement that backed the IDF statements. "Using phosphorus to illuminate a target or create smoke is legitimate under international law," it said, adding that there was no evidence that Israel was "using phosphorus in a questionable way, such as burning down buildings or consciously putting civilians at risk."

Related Posts:
- Human Rights Watch: White (phosphorous) lies
- Indoctrination of innocent Arab kids in Gaza
- Inside a Hamas meeting
- Hamas violates ceasefire (again), UN doesn't care
- Hamas: Exploitation of Civilians as Human Shields
- Sderot Victim to U.N.: Are Human Rights for Some, But Not Others?

Posted in: Hamas,Islamic Jihad,Islamic Terror,Islamo Fascism,Israel,Terrorists