More on the White Phosphorous Blood Libel in Gaza
by Jerry Gordon, The Iconoclast, Jan. 16, 2009
Marc Garlasco HRW military analyst
Israel appeared to be using white phosphorus as an “obscurant” (a chemical used to hide military operations), a permissible use in principle under international humanitarian law (the laws of war). However, white phosphorus has a significant, incidental, incendiary effect that can severely burn people and set structures, fields, and other civilian objects in the vicinity on fire. The potential for harm to civilians is magnified by Gaza’s high population density, among the highest in the world.
“White phosphorous can burn down houses and cause horrific burns when it touches the skin,” said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. “Israel should not use it in Gaza’s densely populated areas.”
The world media immediately jumped on the HRW allegations without so much as a by your leave. Note these comments from Honest Reporting on the swirl of controversy perpetrated by HRW’s Garlasco:
NGOs such as HRW enjoy the “halo effect”, whereby, because of their humanitarian focus, they are insulated from scrutiny and are regarded as above reproach by the media. In this case, media including The Guardian, Times of London, Christian Science Monitor and CNN have repeated HRW’s claims. (Continue Reading this Article)
The point is the human rights NGO’s are ignorant of military warfare. I would not look to them for unbiased advice on warfare and its requirements. Take what they say with due skepticism.
Comment by NormanF — January 16, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
We had a terrorist sympathizer or dupe call the Steve Corbett show in Wilkes-Barre, and he said Israel was using WP as a “chemical weapon” against Palestinians. I called and pointed out that the Geneva and Hague Conventions do not define WP as a chemical weapon, and that the US also has it in its arsenals. I added that the Palestinian sympathizers were being “less than truthful” (polite for “lying”) with the talk show host and his audience.
Comment by Bill Levinson — January 16, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
HRW writes, “Human Rights Watch believes that the use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas of Gaza violates the requirement under international humanitarian law to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian injury and loss of life.”
What does Human Rights Watch have to say about Hamas’ indiscriminate use of rockets on Israeli cities?
Comment by Bill Levinson — January 16, 2009 @ 3:15 pm