The public debate over mounting civilian casualties may have prompted the Israel Defense Force to modify its tactics against the Palestinian uprising.
Although there has been no official change of policy, troops in the administered territories have already been ordered to avoid the use of firearms as much as possible and not to shoot plastic bullets at women and children, Ha’aretz reported Monday.
There were in fact fewer casualties Sunday. Five Arabs were wounded in the Gaza Strip and two in the West Bank. No fatalities were reported after a weekend in which four were killed.
This may have been merely coincidence.
But Ha’aretz insisted new orders were issued by the IDF, pending conclusion of the Justice Ministry’s inquiry into recently eased restrictions on the use of plastic bullets and other weapons against rioters.
What are being described officially as “consultations” will be held Tuesday by Attorney General Yosef Harish. Those attending will include State Attorney Dorit Beinish and Brig. Gen. Amnon Stashnov, the army’s judge advocate general.
The tougher measures ordered by Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin were debated at Sunday’s Cabinet meeting. Harish, who was present, defended their legality.
But some ministers charged that the use of lethal weapons against civilians violates the letter and spirit of the law.
Many Laborites and more than a few Likud politicians have recoiled from the upsurge of fatalities and serious wounds since Rabin lifted some restrictions on the use of plastic bullets.
They may now be fired by non-commissioned officers at any Palestinian holding a rock or erecting a roadblock. The soldier is not necessarily required to shoot only in self-defense and may fire on Arabs fleeing the scene of a clash.
HAS ERODED RABIN’S IMAGE
Rabin’s contention is that his harsher measures will eventually dampen the spirit of the intifada and thereby reduce the level of violence.
Several Knesset members disagree, saying they will only escalate the disturbances and tarnish Israel’s image abroad.
Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron, the IDF chief of staff, told the Cabinet on Sunday that, public perceptions notwithstanding, the number of casualties inflicted by plastic bullets has not increased.
In an army radio interview Sunday, Shomron agreed with Rabin that the tough policy will reduce the intensity of the uprising.
But Ma’ariv quoted other senior IDF officers Monday as saying “the new measures are not effective.”
According to Ma’ariv, these officers warn that Israeli leaders “have fostered the illusion among soldiers and civilians that these measures can solve the problems in the territories, when in fact they are liable to exacerbate them.”
Whatever the outcome, the fact that there is a debate at all has eroded Rabin’s image as the government’s “strong man,” accepted by Likud no less than by his own Labor Party.
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