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Document: About Israel use of depleted Uranium ammunition
Source: The Palestinian Council for Justice and Peace
Israel use of Depleted Uranium ammunition!!
Israeli repeated denials regarding use of Depleted Uranium (DU) ammunition against Palestinian civilians, buildings and positions could no longer hold in light of mounting evidence that proved, beyond doubt, Israeli military had actually used such ammo especially during the current uprising (Al-Aqsa Intifada). Israeli disclaimers failed to rebuff Palestinian growing concerns. President Arafat ordered the creation of a special commission to follow-up the issue. The Commission was entrusted to lead legal and publicity efforts to expose Israeli crimes. The Palestinian people insist Israel must bear responsibility for the deadly effects of DU ammo on humans and the Palestinian environment. In light of growing pressure, Israeli military authorities admitted to have “Stocked Depleted Uranium ammunition and actually used during the past twenty years” according to Israeli Daily Ha’aretz of 11 January 2001.
This development represents further conclusive evidence in addition to facts collected by international organizations that Israel had engaged in a systemic campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people. Such development compels peace-loving nations, including Arabs and others, to join the Palestinian people in its efforts, not only to condemn Israeli atrocities but, help reveal the truth. These efforts would lead to bringing Israeli officials to trail by an international tribunal. Furthermore, Arab and international efforts should support the Palestinian proposal for convening a special session by the UN Security Council to debate Israeli crimes. A resolution by the Un Security Council to strip Israel of such weapons would be welcomed.
Arab and international efforts in this regard would not be a mere act of solidarity with the Palestinians but would serve political, security and vital interests of all parties concerned. Successful Arab participation would protect Arab civilians in case of a regional war.
At the same time, we witness Europeans expand their efforts against manufacturing, storage and use of DU ammunition in a mounting campaign to proscribe such weapons after strong evidence revealed its deadly effects during NATO military operations in Former Yugoslavia. An international position condemning Israel would enhance the credibility of members of the international community, especially the Europeans, in their efforts to pursue genuine peace in the region.
Israeli Usage of Depleted Uranium Confirmed
A report by an American organization, International Action Center, confirmed the Israeli army used anti-tank rockets and shells containing Depleted Uranium (DU). The depleted uranium enhances the shell’s capability to penetrate heavy armor or heavily fortified shelters. Yet, Israeli army used this type of shells against Palestinian ordinary buildings, including houses, and in the assassination of dozens of Palestinian activists. Israeli officials at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv confiscated metal fragments and shell casings the IAC team had collected in order to test it for Depleted Uranium and/or other radioactive components. The American report asserted: “Israeli usage of Depleted Uranium projectiles exposed many in Gaza and the West Bank to radioactive pollution”. Another report by a Dutch team, from LAKA Foundation, affirmed Israeli use of Depleted Uranium shells in bombing Palestinian positions.
Palestinian Commission to Investigate Depleted Uranium Effects
The Palestinian Minister for the Environment, Youssef Abu-Safiah, announced the formation of a Palestinian Commission to examine material evidence on Israeli usage of Depleted Uranium ammunition against Palestinian civilians and positions. Mr. Abu-Safiah added: “The Commission, headed by Health Minister Dr. Reyad Za’anoun, would survey fragments of ammunition, sites and victims shot with this type of weapons”.
Related information became public publishing of a report by the American organization International Action Center. The Palestinian Human Right Monitoring Group wrote to Israeli Minister of Justice Youssi Beilin requesting investigation into the Israeli military action. The Group affirmed: “Israeli helicopter gun-ships of the Apache and Cobra types are similarly equipped to fire such projectiles as those used by the Americans in Iraq and Kosovo.
IAEA Confirms Israel Nuclear Tests
In its report for 2001, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Israel had conducted nuclear tests near the Egyptian borders and in the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba. An Egyptian team headed by Dr. Tareq Nimer conducted extensive research on soil and water samples taken from the area. Information about “Radioactive Pollution” was leaked about two years ago. A team from the IAEA conducted similar research and reached the same conclusions.
Israel Refuses to Ratify Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
Israeli Daily Ha’aretz reported on 29 November 2000, that Israel had refused to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention. Ha’aretz affirmed: “The Israeli military establishment strongly pressured Israeli economic and political circles that favor ratification of the Convention not to do so”. The CWC provides for “Prohibition of development, manufacturing, storage, possession and use of chemical weapons”. The Convention requests State Parties to open its manufacturing facilities to international inspection and to declare its stockpiles. Israel, allegedly claim Arab threats are behind its refusal to ratify the CWC and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Israel’s Newest Submarines Threaten Regional Stability
In an article translated by Al-Hayat of London, British politician Ceril Townsend pointed to the three Dolphin-type German submarines were not strictly a commercial deal but an outcome of a long military cooperation between Israel and Germany. The submarines were part of German compensation to Israel for crimes committed by the Nazis against Jews. Townsend expressed the submarines add a new dimension to Israel’s nuclear superiority, with its 200-300 warheads, over other states in the region. The British politician concluded that Israel’s newest submarines represent a grave escalation of the arms race that is condoned by USA. He asserted the submarines, capable of hiding in one of Turkey’s harbors, are able to deliver a first or even a second strike to any Arab country from a safe distance.
Israel Ranks Number One Importer of Weapons in the Middle
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies affirmed the Middle East is the largest arms market with expenditures topping 60 billion US dollars. The Institute asserted the recent increases in oil revenues allowed for more purchasing of more weapons. A recent report by the Institute indicated that Israel is the number one importer of arms in the region. Israeli defense budget, increased by 4% this year, exceeded 9 billion US dollars compared to that of Saudi Arabia with arms purchases exceeding 6 billion US dollars. According to the Institute, the United States remained the number one seller of arms to the region. American sales to the region increased to 49.1% of total sales compared to 47.6% last year.
France and Germany Stop Certain Arms Sales to Israel
Israeli Daily Ha’aretz reported on 27 December 2000 that France and Germany, in an undeclared embargo, had stopped the sale of certain types of military equipment to Israel since the beginning of the Palestinian Intifada on 28 September 2000. The Israeli Daily referred to the Director-General of TAR, an Israeli importer of military equipment, who claimed a German manufacturer refused to sell Israel a new smoke-producing grenade because of the difficulty to obtain necessary government permits. The French company Nobel Secrete stopped the sale of 100,000 tear gas canisters to Israel when the French Foreign Ministry and its Specialized Committee stalled the sale.
Arab Ministers Call for Closure of Dimona Nuclear Reactor
During a meeting held in Cairo last December, Arab Environment Ministers called upon the international community to pressure Israel in order to close its nuclear reactor in Dimona. The Arab call came after reports of potential environmental crisis and grave dangers posed by the old reactor to Palestinian land including water aquifers. The Ministers expressed deep concern over Israeli nuclear activities that are being carried in total defiance of international inspection requirements. Because of its old age, the reactor poses a grave danger of a catastrophic magnitude as its outdated technology disregards internationally set safety measures.
Israeli Toxic Waste in Gaza and the West Bank
The Palestinian Environment Minister Youssef Abu-Safiah confirmed substantiated reports, supported by satellite photos, prove Israel had buried toxic waste in the Palestinian Territories south of Hebron and southeast of Gaza Strip. The Minister affirmed the Palestinian National Authority could not reach these sites because of the Israeli siege.
Golan Heights Alternative Site for Waste Disposal Instead of Jordan
Israeli authorities stored a large shipment of Toxic waste near Arab villages in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Last year, Israel tried to export the same shipment to Jordan claiming it was raw materials to manufacture paint. Jordanian officials refused to allow the shipment into Jordan. Popular organizations in the Golan Heights called upon the United Nations to intervene and pressure Israel to remove the waste from the occupied Heights. Syrian NGOs in the Golan Heights affirmed the action is proof of Israeli disregard to civilian safety in the Israeli-occupied territories.
Israeli Nuclear Arsenal a Threat to Security
The Jerusalem Press Agency quoted Dr. Hazem Nussaibeh, former Minister of External Affairs and Jordan’s Ambassador to the United Nations accusing Israel of “Exerting efforts to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East to confront Arab, African and Moslem states”. Dr. Nussaibeh considered this policy to be a threat to Arab national security whether the peace process succeeds or fails. Furthermore, the Jordanian diplomat affirmed the current Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians would pressure Arab regimes to re-consider Arab boycott of Israel. He added the current aggression would cast great shadows that might hinder regional cooperation in the future.
Israel Impedes Arab Development
A reputed Arab financier Mr. Joseph Tarabay affirmed the continued Israeli aggression against the Arabs and its current escalation against the Palestinians to the verge of war represents a major obstacle towards Arab development and economic growth. Mr. Tarabay, the Vice-President of the Federation of Arab Banks, asserted the economic, political and social conditions in the region require building modern Arab systems that could overcome obstacles posed by Israel or others. He affirmed the importance for the Arab person to acquire modern skills to help him/her increase productivity to adapt to rapid economical developments..
Extracts from the: "Non-Regular Newsletter"issued by
PCJP NO:4 January2001
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