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The trouble with cluster bombs By Haaretz Editorial Representatives of more than 100 countries signed a treaty in Dublin last week banning the use of cluster bombs. These bombs contain small munitions dispersed over a large area so they can maximize killing and destruction. The damage caused by this weapon is extensive and long-term. It can harm civilians near military targets, or those who return to the site after some time and unintentionally cause an explosion. From this point of view, the cluster munition is like a mine and is increasingly regarded as a problematic weapon, even though the rules of war do not ban its use. Israel is not among the signatories of the treaty. Neither are the United States, China, India, Pakistan and other countries. The cluster bombs were originally meant to be used against tank columns, like those of Syria and Iraq, who threatened to surround Israel and cut it in two. In conditions of numerical inferiority against Arab armies, there is no reason not to use this weapon; also against surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. Advertisement However, the nature of the violent conflict between Israel and its Arab and Muslim enemies has changed. Since June 1982, the Israel Defense Forces has not encountered an armored force; it is now confronted by Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups who operate within civilian populations and use them as human shields. Against these enemies, Israel must use more accurate precision weapons, which will reflect its declared intention of distinguishing between people trying to kill Israeli civilians and those who are innocent bystanders. The criticism against Israel for using cluster munitions, especially during the Second Lebanon War, would not have been so intense had it not been for the shortcomings in planning, execution, command and control. During the IDF investigations, which resulted from pressure by human rights groups, it was found that the senior army command was not aware that lower echelons, in the artillery corps more than in the air force, had ignored their instructions. Similarly, when there was a shortage of other munitions, some officers opted to use cluster bombs, if for no other reason than to prevent any criticism that they were unable to carry out their mission. The worst result of this was that many hundreds of thousands of munitions rained on southern Lebanon and harmed civilians, not only Hezbollah fighters who had attacked Israel. Israel cannot afford to be overly sensitive like other countries which, at least temporarily, have achieved peace and are not involved in military conflicts forcing them to heed the demanding and constant need of saving the lives of their citizens and soldiers. Recent years have shown how bitter experiences alter views. Until September 11, 2001, many people had reservations, including the U.S., about the strict security checks at airports in Israel and for flights headed here. When the Americans experienced what Israel has - they adopted similar means. Using cluster munitions is trouble, both for those hurt by them and those who use them. Even if Israel has avoided being tied up in an international treaty that would certainly include an invasive battery of foreign inspectors, it must behave as if it has joined the treaty - and limit the use of this non-discriminating weapon to rare and extreme occasions when its use is fully justifiable. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Terrorist donuts U.S. Arabs irate over criticism of celebrity cook's kaffiyeh. All the way to hell Rosner's blog: It's Obama's good intentions that pro-Israel activists fear.

Read & React Bradley Burston: Leave it to Fox News to elect Obama Responses: 232 Olmert: Broad Gaza military operation closer than ever Responses: 199 U.S. rejects Mofaz remarks on Iran strike seeming 'unavoidable' Responses: 369 Obama's pro-Israel speech before AIPAC riles Arab press Responses: 96 More Headlines 02:01 IAEA slams Mofaz remark that attack on Iran seems 'unavoidable' 02:30 ANALYSIS / Mofaz's Iran jibe too high a price for party politics 02:45 Talk of a major IDF operation in Gaza is premature 00:30 Clinton halts presidency bid, endorses Obama 00:27 Report: Syria foiled attempted coup by Assad's brother-in-law 01:56 IDF troops fire tear gas at EU dignitaries during W. Bank protest 00:30 Sports broadcaster who covered 1972 Munich massacre, Jim McKay, dies at 86 18:21 X-Men mutant survives the Holocaust in new Marvel Comics miniseries 19:20 Muslim clerics back Saudi king Abdullah's interfaith meeting 12:46 Author Thomas L. Friedman: Military leverage on Iran only short-term option 17:48 PA officials say they want Abbas to run for re-election in 2010 17:50 McCain calls for moving U.S. embassy to Jerusalem 01:17 Leftist groups gather in Tel Aviv to protest 41 years of occupation Previous Editions Select Day 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may

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