Israel admits using phosphorous bombs against Hezbollah in Lebanon conflict News
Israel admits using phosphorous bombs against Hezbollah in Lebanon conflict

[JURIST] An Israeli Cabinet official admitted for the first time Sunday that Israel employed phosphorous bombs [GlobalSecurity backgrounder] against Hezbollah guerillas during this summer's conflict in Lebanon [JURIST news archive]. Israeli Cabinet Minister Jacob Edery [official profile] confirmed that the weapons were used during combat and not just for target marking, as had previously been asserted. The use of incendiary weapons against civilians has been banned by Protocol III to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons [text] since 1980, though Israel continues to assert that its use of the bombs comports with international law.

Allegations that Israel had used chemical munitions arose in July, when Lebanese President Emile Lahoud [official website] first accused Israel of using phosphorus weapons [JURIST report] in the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah [US State Dept. backgrounder]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.