March 26, 2009

Israel faces allegations of war crimes

Per The National and BBC, allegations of improper use of white phosphorus in civilian areas during its three-week Gaza offensive are starting to hound Israel.

This week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) made public a 71-page report giving witness statements of the effects of white phosphorus in civilian areas. The group called for Israel to stop using the incendiary substance in January during the Gaza attack. While White phosphorus is legal under international law, HRW said it believes the chemical should not be used in densely-packed civilian areas like Gaza, due to the "horrific burns" it can cause.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) issued a statement saying it was conducting an investigation, but could already conclude that it used munitions in accordance with international law.

Some Twitterers disputed the veracity of the claims.

  1. Kashmiri Nomad
    islamwest #Israel War Crimes or Journalistic Pogrom ? http://bit.ly/1AMU0
  2. IsraelSupporter.com
    IsraelSupporter "War Crimes" and Shoddy Journalism - Ha'aretz and The Guardian's war crimes allegations debunked: http://tr.im/hNqL #israel #tcot



Others wondered about independent investigations of both IDF and Hamas.


  1. NPTE 2009
    npte2009 Elim Res 2b: The European Union should establish a tribunal for violations of international law committed by Hamas and/or Israel in Gaza.
  2. JonBibbs
    JonBibbs SMH. Even Israel's own soldiers are testifying as witnesses of war crimes against the Palestinians. I wonder what the U.N. will do?


Some expressed frustration and cynicism, while others continued to investigate.

  1. Max Forte
    1D4TW #gaza: #israel "Dissident Voice : Israel’s Attack on Gaza: Legitimate Self Defense or War Crime?" ( http://tinyurl.com/ak7n3l )
  2. GeekyArtistArabWoman
    lubzi i discovered one of my favourite twitters is an israel crimes defender. he must be chosen or something. frack this-what's wrong with humans?
  3. gildas sapiens
    gildassapiens Israel allows Palestinians only 78% of water needed for health. Do you want to die of thirst or in an IDF holy war crime? http://bit.ly/M4XA
  4. Fiona Bateson
    fjb_123 Israel Troops Admit Gaza Abuses.....: But They’re Not Human Beings, They are Not People, They are Arabs! Or as m.. http://tinyurl.com/cfqht3



Finally, the Huffington Post Tweeted a link to a video.


  1. HuffWorld
    HuffPostWorld HRW released a report accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza. Check out their video of a UN school attacked: http://tinyurl.com/dzh5fz


Share/Save/Bookmark
blog comments powered by Disqus