ACTION ALERT: Ask Biden to Demand that Israel
End the Use of White Phosphorus in Palestine
Win Without War

(November 17, 2023) — White phosphorus is a devastating weapon. Militaries across the globe use it to create fog, but it’s illegal under international law when it’s used close to civilians. When the chemical comes in contact with people, it causes horrendous burns, excruciating pain, and death.

White phosphorus burns on just 10 percent of the human body are often fatal. The aftermath of its use is also more than physical; survivors endure lifelong psychological trauma and social exclusion due to their disfiguring injuries.

Yet Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have verified the Israeli military used white phosphorus last month, exposing innocent people in Gaza and southern Lebanon, including children, to unimaginable suffering.

The United States, as one of Israel’s key allies, should do all it can to continue to push for an immediate ceasefire and end the indiscriminate suffering of millions of people — and that includes ending the use of white phosphorus. 

White phosphorus is just one of the many weapons currently being used by the Israeli government that disproportionately harm innocent people. How do we know? Because the Pentagon used this weapon in Iraq in 2004. That’s why, for this demand to be taken seriously, the Biden administration needs to lead by example.

ACTION: Can you call on President Biden to demand the Israeli government ban the use of white phosphorus in its military operations and commit the United States to the same life-saving standard?

THE LETTER

To President Biden:
Demand Israel ban the use of white phosphorus in military operations — and immediately commit the US to the same standard. The United States, as one of Israel’s key allies, should do all it can to continue to push for an immediate ceasefire and end the indiscriminate suffering of millions of people.

Israel uses white phosphorus shells in 2009 attack on UN school.

We remain appalled by Hamas’ attacks on October 7 as well as its continued strikes and holding of hostages. However, we know that the Israeli government’s collective punishment of people in Gaza isn’t justice.

Weapons like white phosphorus simply shouldn’t exist. Frankly, given the sky-high budgets of the Israeli and US militaries, they should be able to find ways to create fog without risking such horrific harm to people. The only reason to continue using white phosphorus, in any case, is to inflict incredible harm and show a clear disregard for human life.

At Win Without War, we continue to work for solutions that de-escalate the conflict, center the dignity of people, and most importantly, safeguard lives. That looks like continuing our calls for a ceasefire and to see the hostages reunited with their families, as well as urging the US government to increase and expand humanitarian aid, including fuel.

At moments like this, it is key that the US government lead by example. The Biden administration recently urged the Israeli government not to repeat US mistakes made in the “Global War on Terror” — and it’s time for the US government to heed that call as well.

By lending our voices to this cause, we can push the United States to affirm its commitment to a world where human dignity and life are valued above all. Send a clear message to President Biden: Israel must ban white phosphorus in military operations and the United States should commit to doing the same. 

We need to keep working to produce the political solutions that will save lives — and we need you with us.

Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team

1. “Israel: White Phosphorus Used in Gaza, Lebanon” Human Rights Watch and ” Lebanon: Evidence of Israel’s unlawful use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon as cross-border hostilities escalate” Amnesty International.