Key developments since May 2003: Officials confirmed that
antipersonnel mine production lines have been dismantled. A national effort to
mark, map, and fence existing minefields inside Israel continues. In September
2003, the IDF reportedly refused to clear a minefield in Jerusalem, where an
Arab school was to be built. In January 2004, Israel provided maps of
minefields it laid in south Lebanon to Hezbollah.
Key developments since 1999: Israel has ceased the production of
antipersonnel mines and has renewed an export moratorium until 2005. The last
confirmed use of antipersonnel mines by the IDF was in 2000 in south Lebanon.
Israel first reported destroying obsolete antipersonnel mines in 2002. Israel
joined CCW Amended Protocol II in October 2000 and has submitted three national
annual reports.
Mine Ban Policy
Israel has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Israel has said that it
“supports a gradual regional process towards the eventual goal of a total
ban on landmines, based on peaceful relations and regional
cooperation.”[1] It has
not made any new statements regarding its position on the Mine Ban Treaty since
October 2002, when Foreign Ministry officials stated that while Israel supports
the humanitarian objectives of the treaty, it is not in a position to separate
its landmine policy from other regional security
considerations.[2] Israel
stated in late 2003 that considering the current threats to its security,
unilateral disarmament and arms limitations “cannot contribute to peace,
security and stability, and may actually lead to escalation of the
conflict.”[3]
Israel has abstained from voting on every annual pro-ban UN General Assembly
resolution since 1996, including UNGA Resolution 58/53 on 8 December 2003.
Israel participated in the Ottawa Process as an observer and has since attended
two annual meetings of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty (in 2000 and 2002),
as well as a few meetings of the intersessional Standing Committees, but none in
2004.
Israel ratified Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons
(CCW) in October 2000. Israel submitted its initial national report as required
under Article 13 in November 2001, marking the first time that Israel made
detailed mine-related information available to the international community.
Israel submitted its third Article 13 report on 18 November 2003. Israel
attended the Fifth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in
November 2003.
Israel has not enacted any additional domestic legislation to implement the
provisions of Amended Protocol II, as it believes existing legislation is
adequate, including export controls and Israel Defense Force (IDF)
regulations.[4] These
regulations are “reviewed regularly” and the “IDF Engineering
Corps maintains a set of detailed regulations and instructions regarding the
management of archive, recording minefields, and mined
areas.”[5] The
Engineering Corps also conducts routine technical inspections to ensure
Israel’s compliance with the
Protocol.[6] The obligations
and provisions of CCW and Amended Protocol II are taught in IDF schools.
Use
In November 2003, Israel stated, “There were no new minefields put
in-place this year.” A similar declaration was made in November 2002. It
also repeated, “In the past year...there were large scale activities done
by terrorist groups to smuggle and accumulate mines, booby traps, and other
devices as well as improvised explosive devices, part of which the IDF succeeded
in seizing, confiscating and
destroying.”[7] The last
confirmed use of antipersonnel mines by Israel was during its withdrawal from
southern Lebanon in May
2000.[8]
According to the commander of the UN peacekeeping force in South Lebanon,
Israel provided maps detailing the locations of approximately 400,000 landmines
in June 2000, December 2001, and April
2002.[9] According to the
Lebanese military, these maps report a total of 1,869 minefields along the
border, containing an estimated 246,012 antipersonnel mines and 10,666
antivehicle mines.[10] It was
reported that Israel also provided maps of minefields laid by the IDF and its
South Lebanese Army ally to Hezbollah in late January 2004 as part of a prisoner
exchange.[11]
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told Landmine Monitor in December 2001
that antipersonnel mines are not part of the Israel Defense Force doctrine in
the conflict with armed Palestinian groups, and that antipersonnel mines have
not been used by the IDF.[12]
There were several specific allegations of use of mines by Israel in the Gaza
Strip and West Bank in 2000 and 2001; Israel strongly denied the
charges.[13] The Israeli media
and others occasionally report on “mine” incidents in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories. However, reports are not always clear as to whether
the devices used are victim-activated or command-detonated, and the reports
often use terms interchangeably, citing the use of bombs, landmines, booby-traps
and improvised explosive devices by armed Palestinian groups or Israeli forces.
The Mine Ban Treaty prohibits not only antipersonnel mines, but also explosive
booby-traps and other improvised explosive devices that are victim-activated.
In June 2002, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told
Knesset members that he “strongly opposes laying mines” as part of
the construction of a new fence between Israel and the West
Bank.[14]
In 1998, the State Comptroller’s Office conducted an audit of the
Israel Defense Forces policies on mine laying, and issued a detailed report in
1999. The report concluded, among other things, that 350 Israeli antipersonnel
minefields were no longer vital to
security.[15]
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling
Israel reiterated in February 2003 that it had, “ceased all production
and imports of antipersonnel mines in the early
1980s.”[16] In July 2004,
Israeli officials disclosed for the first time that antipersonnel mine
production lines have been
dismantled.[17]
Israel declared a moratorium on the export of antipersonnel mines in 1994,
and extended it in both 1996 and May 1999 for three-year periods. In August
2002, Israel again renewed the moratorium, until July
2005.[18] Israeli officials
note that they anticipate that regular three-year renewals will to continue into
the future.[19] Israel was a
significant exporter in the past. Deminers in Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Sudan, and
the Falklands/Malvinas Islands have found the Israeli Number 4 blast
antipersonnel mine.[20] Kenya
declared stockpiling nearly 25,000 antipersonnel mines of Israeli origin in
December 2001 and completed destruction of the mines in August
2003.[21]
The size and composition of Israel’s stockpile of antipersonnel mines
remains unknown, but includes both hand-emplaced and remotely-delivered mines.
Israel stated in late 2003 that it continues to carry out its program to destroy
outdated mines.[22] In February
2003, Israel commented for the first time on the scope of this stockpile
destruction effort, stating that the military destroyed 12 tons of mines in
2002.[23]
Landmine Problem and Mine Action
Israel is a mine-affected country with mines dating back to World War II
still active inside its borders. Since the establishment of Israel, it has used
mines along its borders, near military camps and training areas, and near
infrastructure including water pump stations and electric power facilities. The
Haaretz Daily reported that approximately 33,000 dunams (33 million square
meters) of land are mined or suspected of being mined in Israel, the West Bank,
and Golan.[24] Syria stated
that in early 2003, heavy rain caused the erosion of a minefield on the hillside
in the Golan town of Majdal Shams (the village featured on the cover of
Landmine Monitor Report 2000). Landmines moved downhill to the back of
houses, requiring inhabitants to move to safer
accommodation.[25]
Israel maintains that all minefields within its borders are fenced and
registered and are updated on a timely basis by the Israeli Mapping Center
(IMC). In 2003, the IDF began work to improve the recording measures used for
minefields and suspected areas by using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices
and other equipment that will enable the IMC to distribute more updated and
accurate information regarding the locations of
minefields.[26] The 1999 State
Comptroller’s audit found that some minefields were not properly marked or
fenced and not inspected within the prescribed time, including minefields in
Israel proper, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and areas controlled by Israel in the
Golan Heights.[27]
There is no national agency to coordinate demining efforts. The IDF
Engineering Corps and commercial Israeli contractors continue to clear mines,
bombs, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) on an emergency basis, and on a more
frequent basis when circumstances permit. However, the director of one
commercial contractor noted in early 2003 that although demining was a priority
only a couple of years ago, “these days anti-terror measures are our
priority.”[28]
In September 2003, the IDF reportedly refused to clear a minefield in
Jerusalem, where an Arab school was to be built. The IDF stated that its policy
was not to clear minefields for civilians, due to the risk to soldiers, but a
city councilor noted that the IDF had previously cleared minefields for Jewish
communities and claimed
discrimination.[29]
Private Israeli companies have participated in mine clearance programs in
Israel, as well as Croatia and
Albania.[30] Operating since
1995, Maavarim Civil Engineering Company provides services in the field of mine
and UXO clearance, capacity building and technical advice, with some projects
supported by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Maavarim claims to have cleared
over 3 million square meters of land, including agricultural land, physical
infrastructure, and rural
areas.[31] Maavarim and the
Turkish company ARMADA are in the process of planning to clear mines along the
borders to release the area for agricultural
use.[32]
Mine Risk Education
While there is no special training on the dangers of landmines in schools,
there are various terrorism awareness programs promoting alertness with regard
to explosive objects.[33] In
addition, Israel requires organizers of field trips (such as those conducted by
schools, youth movements, work places and private citizens) to coordinate their
routes with the relevant IDF command to receive briefings regarding the location
of actual and suspected minefields in the
area.[34] Israel’s
orientation program for new immigrants includes mine and UXO risk education.
Updated information regarding the exact locations of minefields and suspected
areas is provided to local municipalities and other interested
establishments.[35]
Israel has also been involved in mine risk education internationally. In
2002, it provided funds for four Israeli volunteers to work on a mine risk
education project run by UNICEF in
Angola.[36] In the past, Israel
has supported an Aid Without Borders mine risk education project in Kosovo and,
in cooperation with the Canadian government, a survivor training and
rehabilitation program in
Guatemala.[37]
Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance
No record of civilian landmine casualties is available because casualties are
listed under the umbrella category of “Victims of Hostile
Activities.” It is often difficult to determine from the occasional media
reports of “mine” incidents if they actually involved antipersonnel
mines or other explosive devices.
Israel reports that it “has vast experience in the field of
rehabilitation, with over 2,000 traumatic amputations within the IDF and several
dozens of civilian victims to landmines, UXOs, improvised explosives and other
devices....”[38] Most of
these incidents occurred during the wars of 1967, 1973 and 1982. In 2000, an
Israeli soldier was seriously injured while clearing landmines along the
Israeli-Lebanese border.[39]
The Israeli National Insurance Services (Bituach Leumi) cover the cost of
treatment for all Israeli citizens injured by
landmines.[40] The main Israeli
hospitals and centers offering rehabilitation programs include
“Tel-Hashomer” (“Shiba”) and “Loewenstein”
in Tel Aviv, and “Rambam” and “Bnei Zion” in Haifa. As
of November 2003, Israel had six workshops specializing in prosthetics, ten
specializing in orthotics, more than a dozen orthopedic shoemakers, and a number
of physiotherapists working in the field of physical
rehabilitation.[41]
In recent years, Israeli rehabilitation specialists were sent, under the
auspices of the UN and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, to Sri Lanka, Vietnam, El
Salvador, Croatia and
Slovenia.[42] Israel also has
rehabilitation exchange agreements with Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and
several states of the former Soviet
Union.[43] Israel’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds an economic reintegration program in
Guatemala. The microfinance program seeks to encourage landmine survivors to
start their own businesses.[44]
In April 1999, Israel hosted a workshop on the rehabilitation of landmine
survivors.[45]
[1] Statement to the UN General Assembly
First Committee by Alon Bar, Director of Division of Disarmament, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Meir Itzchaki, First Secretary, Division of Disarmament,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New York, October
2001. [2] Explanations of votes by
Israeli delegation at UN General Assembly First Committee on 22 October 2002 and
23 October 2002. [3] Statement by
Ambassador Arye Mekel, Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel to the United
Nations, First Committee, General Debate, UN General Assembly, New York, 15
October 2003. [4] Israel, National
Annual Report required by Article 13, Amended Protocol II, CCW, submitted 18
November 2003, p. 8. [5] Article 13
Report, 18 November 2003, p. 4. [6]
Ibid, p. 7. [7] Ibid, p.
6. [8] See Landmine Monitor Report
2000, pp. 934-935. [9] Nicholas
Blandford, “Interview with the commander of the UN Interim Force in
Lebanon Major General Lalit Tewari,” Daily Star (Beirut English language
daily newspaper), 6 June 2002. [10]
Presentation by Lt. Col. Kassem Jammoul, Operation Officer, NDO, to a visiting
delegation from US Department of State, 6 May 2003.
[11] Interview with members of the
Israeli delegation to the Eighth Session of the CCW Group of Government Experts,
Geneva, 8 July 2004; Ileil Shahar, “Sharon Stands Behind POW Deal,”
Maariv International (internet news source), 25 January
2004. [12] Interview with Meir
Itzchaki, First Secretary, Regional Security and Arms Control Division, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 13 December 2001. This was reiterated in an email
dated 30 June 2001. [13] See Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, pp. 675-676, and Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp.
1,011-1,012. [14] Gideon Alon,
“PM Sharon opposes mines near security fence,” Haaretz Daily (Tel
Aviv), 25 June 2002. [15] State
Comptroller's Report No. 50 A, for the Year 1999, “Mine Laying in the
Israel Defense Forces,” (Published in Hebrew and translated unofficially)
Israel government printing office, Jerusalem. Hereafter cited as “State
Comptroller’s Report,
1999.” [16] Email from Meir
Itzchaki, Regional Security and Arms Control Division, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, 10 February 2003. In the past, Israel produced low metal content blast
antipersonnel mines, bounding fragmentation mines, and Claymore-type directional
fragmentation munitions, designated M12A1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No.
6. [17] Interview with members of the
Israeli delegation to the Eighth Session of the CCW Group of Government Experts,
Geneva, 8 July 2004. [18] Article 13
Report, 18 November 2003, p. 11. [19]
Interview with members of the Israeli delegation to the Eighth Session of the
CCW Group of Government Experts, Geneva, 8 July
2004. [20] Jane’s Mines and Mine
Clearance 2000-2001, p. 147, 151,
472. [21] See Kenya’s Mine Ban
Treaty Article 7 Transparency Measures reports of December 2001 and March 2004,
available at http://disarmament2.un.org/MineBan.nsf,
accessed 12 October 2004. [22] Article
13 Report, 18 November 2003, p.
6. [23] Email from Meir Itzchaki,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10 February
2003. [24] Jonathan Lis, “IDF
refuses to clear landmines from land for Arab school,” Haaretz Daily, 8
September 2003. [25] “35th
Annual Report to the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and other Arabs of the
Occupied Territories,” 20 June 2003.
[26] Article 13 Report, 18 November
2003, p. 5. [27] State Comptroller's
Report No. 50 A, for the Year 1999, “Mine Laying in the Israel Defense
Forces,” (Published in Hebrew and translated unofficially) Israel
government printing office, Jerusalem.
[28] Interview with Maavarim
President Ben Steinberg and staffer Dror Schimmel, Jerusalem, 5 January
2003. [29] “IDF refuses to clear
landmines from land for Arab school,” Haaretz Daily, 8 September
2003. [30] Article 13 Report, 18
November 2003, p. 10. Four companies are named in the
report. [31] Interview with Maavarim
President Ben Steinberg and staffer Dror Schimmel, Jerusalem, 5 January
2003. [32] Article 13 Report, 18
November 2003, p. 9. [33] Interview
with Meir Itzchaki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem, 2 January
2003. [34] Article 13 Report, 18
November 2003, p. 5. [35] Ibid, p.
5. [36] Ibid, p.
9. [37] Article 13 Report, 8 November
2002, p. 5. [38] Article 13 Report, 18
November 2003, p. 6. [39] David Rudge,
“Soldier Wounded in Mine-Clearing Accident,” Jerusalem Post, 6 June
2000. [40] For details see Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, p. 677. [41]
Article 13 Report, 18 November 2003, p.
6. [42] Article 13 Report, 8 November
2002, p. 7. [43] Interview with Dr.
Ziver, Shiba Medical Centre, 12 January
2003. [44]
Ibid. [45] Statement by Giora Becher,
Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Department of the Israeli Ministry
of Foreign Affairs to the First Meeting of States Parties of the Mine Ban
Treaty, Maputo, Mozambique, May 1999.