Blanket Immunity from War Crimes

When Criticism of Cluster Bombs is "Anti-Semitic"

By STANLEY HELLER

The Israeli paper Ha'aretz reports that the head of Germany's Jewish community accused a minister in Angela Merkel's German government of "anti-Semitism" because of the minister's statement on Israel's use of cluster bombs. Development Aid Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul had asked for a United Nations probe into Israel's use of cluster bombs in civilian areas of Lebanon.

Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of German Jews, complained about what she terms a growing "anti-mood [sic] against Israel and the Jews" in Germany. [Ha,aretz August 30] Merkel, who made absolutely no criticism of Israel during the fighting, immediately met with Knobloch to "soothe Jewish ire" according to Deutche Welle [August 31]

The U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland revealed this week that of the estimated 100,000 unexploded cluster bombs lying in Lebanon almost all of them were fired in the last few days of the fighting when the terms of the ceasefire had already been set. The Guardian (UK) reports Egleand said, "What's shocking--and I would say to me completely immoral is that ninety per cent of the cluster bomb strikes occurred in the last 72 hours of the conflict, when we knew there would be a resolution," he said.

It was known that in the last days of the war the Israeli army was engaged in a desperate attempt to have some "victory" and rushed troops here and there in an attempt to have a photo shoot near the Litani River. What was not known until now was the blind spite that sowed the ground of South Lebanon with a massive number of bomblets.

Cluster bombs are delivered by a large canister and disperse over a wide area, a sort of lethal piñata. The bomblets come in many sizes. Some are tiny, even smaller than 2 inches in diameter. Kids are constantly trying to kick them or pick them up with the result in the loss an arm or leg or even death. "Every day people are maimed, wounded and are killed by these ordnance," said Egeland. The UN official based his estimate on the reports of the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre which has traveled through 85% of Lebanon. The casualty figures as of 29 August from unexploded ordnance rose to 59 people, including 13 killed and 46 injured.

Responding to U.N. reports of cluster bombs being found in Lebanese civilian areas the U.S. government has begun an investigation to determine if cluster bombs have been responsible for civilian casualties. It seems far fetched that the Bush Administration would do anything other than shower Israel with more money, but the Reagan administration did ban export of cluster bombs to Israel for six years for its misuse during its 1982 Lebanese invasion.

The Zionist Ultras have been circling the wagons on this issue, not giving an inch. They hysterical statement by the German Jewish leader was typical of many.

Responding to a report by Human Rights Watch charging Israel with war crimes in its conduct of the war in Lebanon that was written by its director Kenneth Roth, Rabbi Avi Shafran of Agudath Israel has called Roth "loathsome." An editorial in the New York Sun accused Roth of "de-legitimization of Judaism" because his group condemned Israel's strategy as "an eye for an eye." Rabbi Aryeh Spero in Human Events Online referred to Roth as a "human rights impostor," and likened him to "Nazis and Communists." On Sunday, the Jerusalem Post published an op-ed by NGO Monitor's Gerald Steinberg titled "Ken Roth's Blood Libel." [quotes from Kathleen Peratis, Washington Post August 30] The fact that Kenneth Roth is Jewish and his father fled Nazi Germany makes no difference to the Ultras. If you are do not support Israel 110% you are a Jew-hater, a renegade, a self-hater, and a holocaust denier. Get it?

In a very competitive field Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League took the prize for the comment showing the most utter stupidly. In attacking Human Rights Watch he said if Hezbollah was not made to pay an "overwhelming price" for rocket attacks "the Holocaust would be in the works". [Peratis, Washington Post]

Jewish Disgust with Israel

In a very encouraging development hundreds of U.S. Jews are calling for strong measures to be taken against the Israeli government including a cut off of U.S. aid and U.N. sanctions. Over 800 have signed the statement calling for "U.S. Jewish Solidarity with Muslim and Arab Peoples of the Middle East". It states "we are outraged by the violence being perpetrated in our name both as Jews and as U.S. citizens. We, the undersigned, represent Jews across the United States who are choosing to stand in solidarity with the peoples of Gaza and Lebanon". It includes the statement, "There is no Jewish safety in a country that rehearses the violence and persecution which Ashkenazi Jews experienced for centuries through the annihilation of the Palestinian people and their homeland." The signers are collecting money for a full page in the New York Times and are just $800 away from their goal. The petition can be found at http://www.jewishsolidarity.info/petition.php

It was after the 1982 invasion of Lebanon that U.S. Jews in significant numbers began open and trenchant criticisms of Israel. Chomsky's watershed "The Fateful Triangle" was published that year. Hopefully there will be even bigger shows of outrage this time around.

Stanley Heller is chairperson of the Middle East Crisis Committee in Connecticut. It's website is www.TheStruggle.org and he can be reached at mail@TheStruggle.org

This article is a great rallying cry to Jews and Israelis of courage to think critically and stand up to the terror state of Israel. Kudos to the writer.

No sane program uses this as a threat. Israel must be sanctioned.

Their spies and members in government and influence, expelled.

cluster munition hangfire ratio is a well know fact. That is precisely why is was used to such a great extent during the last hours of the Retreat out of Lebanon.

The immediate detonation rate of these weapons is deliberately incomplete.

That increases the kill ratio for the real targets who are the non combatants.

I'm opposed to the use of cluster bombs.

though I doubt Egeland's claim that 100,000 unexploded cluster bombs remain in Lebanon. that seems like an inflated number.

Cluster bombs, invented by some demented USA scientist, kill people. They are designed to kill people and not destroy infrastructure.

While limited use might be acceptable provided no civilians are in the area, the downside is that the unexploded bomblets remain to injure children, dogs, and others long after the fighting has stopped.

I think that both Israel and the USA should retire cluster bombs from their arsenal.

"by Becky Johnson Sunday, Sep. 03, 2006 at 8:47 AM

Santa Cruz, CA.

I'm opposed to the use of cluster bombs. -"

Thank you Ms, BJ. I saw profuse condemnation for the use of these bastards, by yourself at the time, together with much reasoned entreaties for

sanity and humanity from israel.

not.

As in yeah, right.

I'm amazed that you have the incredible gall to try any paint yourself as an advocate of humanity anymore after selling out to the lowest denominator of opportunistic and evil aggression.

Sometimes I need to be very clear.

Where was your condemnation for the criminal state which started the Invasion and then used these munitions which, I believe, you denied the use thereof.

Give me a big break as well as any other reader.

>doubt Egeland's claim that 100,000 unexploded cluster bombs remain in Lebanon. that seems like an inflated number.



So what? One is too many.

Basis for doubt? Oh, because Israel is sooooooogoood......LOL!

"If you are do not support Israel 110% you are a Jew-hater, a renegade, a self-hater, and a holocaust denier. Get it?"

Yup, the ADL and its Tel Aviv masters first whipped up this "only Nazis criticize Israel" bullshit (a.k.a. "the *NEW* anti-Semitism") back in the '70s, making it their favorite Big Lie. That's why the zio-bullshits keep hitting you with it every time they flap their fly-traps.

The ADL still does it better than anybody, though

Foxman:

"if Hezbollah was not made to pay an "overwhelming price" for rocket attacks "the Holocaust would be in the works""

It's not really Foxman's *own* stupidity that's on display here, but his contempt for his audience, a contempt dictated by his career choice. Foxman ain't stupid; he completely understands what his paychecks are for. The stupid ones are the cud-chomping Americans who slurp his mind-vomit through a large-bore straw (to pass the chunks)

When someone calls them on their lunacy, the zio-bullshits always backpedal with another droning canned rebuttal: "no, it isn't criticizing Israel *per se* that makes you such an obvious cackling genocidal Hitler who should swing at Nuremberg NOW. It's the lack of counterbalancing vitriol hurled at the AYY-RUBB SAAAY-TUUUNN myap myap myap...."

They're lying. Of course. Lies are all they have now. Lies are their "reality." This is a most excellent definition of 'insanity,' by the way.

The bulk of their frantic fanatic energy now goes into barking this "NEW anti-Semitism" Big Lie 24-7, which is completely unsurprising: they're the main bunch of idiots Foxman is addressing. It's not YOUR brain he's out to scramble directly, but *their* brains by the hundreds of thousands. Then these glassy-eyed lurching boobs turn around and assault your brain with what resembles a popular consensus. This is a much more strategic use of Foxman's paycheck money.

100,000 unexploded cluster bombs?

Can we believe this figure?

NO!!

see: Amnesty Intl. website at: http://web.amnesty.org/pages/lbn-230806-feature-eng

"The Israeli Air Force launched more than 7,000 air attacks on about 7,000 targets in Lebanon between 12 July and 14 August, while the Navy conducted an additional 2,500 bombardments."

BECKY: That means out of 9,500 bombardments there remains 100,000 bombs that have yet to explode.



While I oppose the use of cluster bombs on any population, I find these estimates impossible to believe.

uhhh Ms. BJ.

Each cluster bomb has many, many ( more than you can count on both hands and feet! ) * sub* munition.

Please go on.

but your doggrel is depressingly inane and redundant, not merely stupid.

To say nothing of talking out of both sides of your ideology.

I saw the furor you raised and your blind( among other deficits )ness in robotic, yet loyal in a sad sick way defense of all the israeli lies.

Why don't you get yourself screwed? ( to quote George Kennedy , in the Igor Sanction) Now that was rude. Tia, take note.

100,000 bombs left is entirely realistic (remember when the pro-israel trolls were rabidly denying israel's use of cluster munitions?) LOL

A basic cluster bomb is a hollow shell (generally streamlined if intended for carriage by fast aircraft) containing anywhere from three to more than 2,000 submunitions. Some types are dispensers that are designed to be retained by the aircraft after releasing their munitions. The submunitions themselves may be fitted with small parachute retarders or streamers to slow their descent (allowing the aircraft to escape the blast area in low-altitude attacks).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBU-100_Cluster_Bomb

More on various types of cluster munitions:

http://hrw.org/arms/pdfs/munitionChart0806.pdf

Why does israel and its frothing at the mouth fanatic supporters lie so much?

They were denying using these inhumane murder weapons as they were using them. How could anyone say israel is "humane". Pathetic.

Wow, I'd love to watch you try to work on a car! I'd call over a friend and we'd just kick back in lounge chairs with beers and a bong and laugh ourselves sick. Yes Becky, that IS where you put the anti-freeze! (to the buddy: shhh) Good. Now start the engine and race it for a few minutes

"Modern warfare" means incredible volumes of things like cluster bombs -- thousands of tons on a really "good" day. Each cluster munition dropped by plane contains many dozens of bomblets. It's the "bomblets" that people are talking about, Becky. Cluster munitions have been extremely popular with the US and its allies for 40+ years because they're incredibly horrible and terrorizing -- a la TERROR, that's right -- like all of America's favorite weapons.

What you're really showing us, Becky, is how absolutely clueless you are as to the meaning of "modern warfare." Like most Americans. Fox News doesn't show us footage of cluster munitions in action for an obvious reason: it would open our eyes to what "modern warfare" really means and then the jig would be up for the marching Satan called US global empire

I guess when you make statements based on your fanatic love of israel, like "I doubt it was 100,000" and then get slammed with facts about cluster munitions its a bit humiliating. LOL

FROM WIKIPEDIA SOURCE LISTED ABOVE: "During Desert Storm US Marines used the weapon extensively, dropping 15,828 of the 27,987 total Rockeyes against armor, artillery, and anti-personnel targets."

BECKY: Look, I agree with you. I think cluster bombs should be banned. I have opposed their use in writing, and during public speaking opportunities since 1999. I have contacted Congressman Sam Farr re: both cluster bombs and the use of depleted uranium to protest their use.

That said, I think that claiming the Israelis left 100,000 unexploded cluster bombs in Lebanon is a gross exaggeration. In the wikipedia reference, they claim that the USA used cluster bombs "extensively." I don't believe the Israelis used cluster bombs extensively.

I initially didn't think they used them at all. I am now convinced that they did.

But as you can see, even with the extensive use of cluster bombs during the Gulf War, the USA used around 15,000 of which most of them likely exploded.

Now we have this claim here that a force that did NOT use cluster bombs "extensively" has left 100,000 UNEXPLODED cluster bombs in Lebanon.

This violates common sense.

Again, I re-iterate---Cluster Bombs should be banned since the unexploded bomblets can remain in areas and kill people--especially children who are drawn to the bright colored parachutes on them---long after the conflict is over.

"That said, I think that claiming the Israelis left 100,000 unexploded cluster bombs in Lebanon is a gross exaggeration. In the wikipedia reference, they claim that the USA used cluster bombs "extensively." I don't believe the Israelis used cluster bombs extensively."

"I don't believe" LOL! Based on?????? What??????

Oh. 'cause Israel has always been so gentle.......right.

Also, if you read about cluster munitions, there are many many bomlets in one cluster bomb--it is not one bit an exaggeration to say that there could be 100,000 unexploded bomblets...

Please send Ms. BJ over there to count them.

Please.

She could waive a flag. Either one.

FROM HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: "United Nations deminers beginning emergency survey and clearance work in the south of Lebanon have identified 10 locations where Israel used artillery-delivered cluster munitions during the recent hostilities, Human Rights Watch reported today." --- Aug 17 2006

see entire article at: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/17/lebano14026.htm

BECKY: So HRW has identified only 10 locations where cluster bombs were used. While some certainly exploded leaving what HRW workers identify as "tell-tale craters" some don't explode and remain as dangerous as landmines.

(of course they add the caveat that the number "could be the tip of the iceberg" ---but they were wrong about Qana, and are probably wrong this time too).

So we are expected to believe that there are 100,000 UNEXPLODED cluster bombs in those 10 locations?

Geez.

That's 10,000 UNEXPLODED cluster bombs per location.

Of the two locations checked thusfar, one HRW worker found about 100.

Multiply 100 times 10 and you get 1,000 NOT 100,000.

Look, using cluster bombs is bad enough. Why exaggerate the damage and destroy your own credibility?

Looking at the internet reports, I find this:

from: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/bbs/message.php?messageid=285683

"Jan Egeland, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, expresses disappointment with what the UN's clearing teams are finding on the ground. "They are shocked," he says, "by seeing how many unexploded bombs, grenades, mines, and especially cluster bomb bomblets there are."

Egeland estimates around 100,000 such objects are littered on the surface, most from Israeli forces in the final days of the war."

BECKY: See? the quote in Stanley Heller's article is wrong. England combined grenades, unexploded bombs, mines, and cluster bomb bomblets in his estimated total. Nor had he discriminated from Hezbollah's unexploded ordnance from that of the Israelis.

Therefore---even Egeland did not claim there are 100,000 unexploded cluster bombs in Lebanon. He didn't even claim they all came from Israel.

I was right to suspect that number as a gross exagerration and you were wrong to defend it out of hand without doing any research.

Did you know that just one person, like maybe you, would have a bit of difficulty covering an entire rubble filled ruins?

Rave patients here, I'm going to explain sampling and grids.

pay attention here

One grid/area 'N' times total area to be cleared = [? (Number) + / (-) the square root of -total-]

so if you find say 100 bomblets in a *small* area, the ? TOTAL will be BIGER.

People dying from cluster bombs and more being discovered daily:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501298.html

this is a week ago, they were up to 300 sites::

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082500209.html



Oh, and Becky, the link you cited was dated 8/17/06, and here's what they said THEN(on aug 17):

"They have been able to visit only a limited region so far, and fear that the 10 sites identified in the first two days could be the “tip of the iceberg.” U.N. teams have received reports of at least 16 casualties from cluster submunitions that exploded well after they had been fired, and they fear many more. "

This is very sleazy of you, I guess you were assuming that I wouldn't call your bluff.

It is you, once again who is wrong and made assumptions, based on fanatical belief in your beloved Israel.

Maybe you should do a little better research next time....

please excuse the miserable clipboard feature and subsequent '?' in the standard deviation curve.

One grid/area 'N' times total area to be cleared = [? (Number) + / (-) the square root of -total-]

so if you find say 100 bomblets in a *small* area, the ? TOTAL will be BIGER.

This logic doesn't work under these circumstances. Bombing was extremely localized and specifically targetted. What are the figures based on? All of Lebanon? All of the targetted areas?

Look, I included the link so anyone, including you, could read the entire article. How does that make me "sleazy."

Sleazy is misquoting Egeland in the lead article--who's quote was bad enough by itself---but the pseudo-author (can't even use your real name when you POST an article!!) has to take the quote out of context and make it even more exaggerated.

That said, I'm looking at the Washington Post article which ISRAELI TERROR posted.

While this article does identify more than 10 sites where it claims cluster bombs were used, (the person quoted claims 289 sites), if we found the same amount of unexploded ordance which HRW found (100 per site),

at MOST you would have 28,900 NOT 100,000.



Personally, I don't believe him. He may be right, but I will await more than his word for it before confirmation.

Israel most likely used cluster bombs only in the areas where fierce fighting with Hezbollah fighters occurred. In those areas you will also find unexploded Hezbollah ordnance as well. Those are also areas Israel heavily flyered in the days prior so that civilians had ample time to evacuate.

Again, I am NOT defending the use of cluster bombs. I think they should be banned. I am challenging claims of the amount and volumn used, which have been grossly exaggerated, in order to condemn the Israelis by hook or by crook.

it also says this:

"From Rmeish, civil defense workers moved the three children to an emergency room at the Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil."

BECKY: What I find interesting is that Amnesty International in its August 26th report claimed that this hospital "was completely destroyed." Yet here, they are still treating patients.

Read the entire report at: http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGMDE180072006

One is too many.

...out of gnat sh*t.

I still say we need some on the spot verification from Ms. BJ

And she now thinks that a hospital should stay hit once you hit it.

More bombing runs perhaps?

See, the article with 289 sites is actually old, too. AND, there is still MORE areas to be investigated as of this date. At least she's going up on the numbers now....soon she'll be admitting that, maybe, the 100,000 is possible...but either way, the point is that they used them, they are war pig state sponsored terrorists...

"And she now thinks that a hospital should stay hit once you hit it."

It was not reported as "hit"- it was reported as "completely demolished". Big difference.

Well, do you think they were able to completely rebuild a hospital reported as completely demolished in two weeks?

Or do you think someone lied about calling it completely demolished?

who said ;completely rebuild a hospital '?

"From Rmeish, civil defense workers moved the three children to an emergency room at the Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil."

BECKY: What I find interesting is that Amnesty International in its August 26th report claimed that this hospital "was completely destroyed." Yet here, they are still treating patients.



My sainted mother always says "Liars have short memories"

come on.

you know about temp facilities don't you?

You want them to move somewhere else too, now?