In the past year several landmine incidents involving civilians occurred in Israel. Data shows that almost every year people are injured here by landmines, and flood related erosion increases this danger. Close examination reveals that many minefields spread across the country have no operational purpose, and that the lack of action towards clearing them prevents large swaths of land from being developed for construction, agriculture and tourism.
About 80% of states around the world have signed the International Mine Ban Treaty, which bans the use of antipersonnel landmines, as well as their production and trade, and requires signatory states to clear all minefields within their territory. Israel is not a signatory to this treaty, but it is a signatory to a protocol limiting the use of landmines and encouraging their clearance. The State Comptroller's report of 1999 found that there was no organized de-mining policy for non-operational minefields, and stressed the need to adopt such a policy.
Well, what has changed in the decade that has passed since that report was issued?
The injury of two children in the Golan Heights (Feb 6, 2010) and the resulting media coverage led to a serious public debate on the humanitarian aspect of the landmine issue, namely its effect on the safety of civilians and other aspects of civil life (development, tourism, agriculture, etc.), rather than merely its military implications.
In light of growing public concern, IDI will conduct a roundtable discussion on this complex issue with representatives of the relevant regional authorities, landmine survivors, representatives of the security establishment, Knesset members and policy makers, representatives of civil society, and senior representatives from the international community.
The discussion aims to clarify some central questions, including: What does it take to launch a national effort to clear non-operational minefields? What is the appropriate response in terms of budget and technical execution of this effort: methodology, responsibility for de-mining (IDF, civil societies), liability and accountability for the cleared areas? Is there a price to pay in terms of Israel's national security? What is the expected benefit to Israel if it joins the Mine Ban Treaty or takes steps to fulfill some of its terms, including mine clearance? What can we learn from Jordan's experience in clearing the landmines along its border with Israel?