Press Release

5 August 2006

The government of Israel has recently purchased from the United States bunker-busting bombs (GBU-28), for use in its war in Lebanon. These bombs contain depleted uranium - a carcinogenic substance that spreads in the form of a toxic and radioactive dust, which enters the lungs and bones and is especially harmful to babies and young children.

We call on the government of Israel not to make use of these bombs.

This call is of special significance on 6 August, the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

These days of war remind us of the dangers facing humanity, when the warring sides are equipped with nuclear weapons and radioactive materials.

The State of Israel must not resort to the use of weaponry that can cause environmental damage lasting hundreds of years, or any weapon of mass destruction.

We call on the government Israel and all the governments in the Middle East to renounce weapons of mass destruction without delay!

A Middle East free from all weapons of mass destruction would be the best guarantee against their use.

(Signed) The Israeli Committee for a Middle East Free from Atomic, Biological & Chemical Weapons

[The Redress Information & Analysis website editor adds: There has been widespread speculation in the British media that the weapons which passed through Scotland's Prestwick airport in the last week of July 2006 were in fact depleted uranium-tipped bunker-busting bombs - the bombs referred to in the press release above.]

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