2 apr 2011
Israel: UN must cancel Goldstone Report
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the UN to cancel a report that condemns Tel Aviv for war crimes during its offensive against the Gaza Strip.
Following a Washington Post op-ed by Richard Goldstone, which he has retracted his own report on the Gaza war crimes by Israel; Netanyahu called on the UN to retract the Goldstone Report.
Netanyahu said on Saturday the Goldstone Report should be formally nullified, adding that "Everything we said has been proven to be true."
It is not clear yet how and why Goldstone had a second thoughts on his detailed report which he accused Israel of using "disproportionate force, and deliberately targeting civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure, and using people as human shields" in the war against Gaza.
Tel Aviv refused to cooperate with Goldstone's commission and said his report is distorted and biased. Goldstone complained about Israel's lack of cooperation with investigation.
Over 1400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the devastating raid on Gaza at the turn of 2009.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman said the price of dealing with the report over the past few years was worth it.
He added that Goldstone's backtracking renders all decisions by UN Human Rights Council about Israel null and void.
Lieberman also acknowledged that he had to convince everyone, not to give in to Goldstone demand.
"Finally I managed to convince everyone that if we reveal to Goldstone our operational and political considerations, and how the army and defense and intelligence services work, everyone will begin demanding such information," he said.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/172789.html
PM: UN must retract Goldstone report
Lieberman also responds to judge's regret over report on Gaza war, says two years of work undermining it paid off. 'Now it is clear that IDF is moral army,' he says, adding that UN Human Rights Council's decisions on Israel are no longer valid.
Israeli officials expressed satisfaction Saturday with Judge Richard Goldstone's regret for his report on Operation Cast Lead in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the UN to retract the Goldstone report. "Everything we said was proven to be true. Israel did not willfully harm civilians," Netanyahu explained, adding, "Israel's investigating authorities are worthy, while Hamas investigated nothing. The fact that Goldstone withdrew his conclusions must lead to the retraction of the report once and for all."
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Ynet that "the truth is clear, and cannot be questioned".
"The price of dealing (with the report) over the past few years was worth it," Lieberman said, adding that Goldstone's backtracking renders all decisions by UN Human Rights Council about Israel null and void.
"If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document," the South African judge, who had accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, wrote in an article carried by the Washington Post.
Lieberman took credit for the change of heart, explaining that his ministry had been hard at work attempting to undermine the report's conclusions. "We sent letters and documents about it, and I think it is finally sinking in," he said.
"Today it is clear to everyone that the IDF is the most moral army. I think there will be a dramatic change. Everyone understands that there is no place here for any intervention."
Israel refused to cooperate with the UN probe headed by Goldstone in 2009, and the judge expressed his dismay at the fact that this altered the results. "Israel's lack of cooperation with our investigation meant that we were not able to corroborate how many Gazans killed were civilians and how many were combatants," he wrote.
Lieberman recounted the debates that led to Israel's decision at the time. "There were many arguments," he said. "Finally I managed to convince everyone that if we reveal to Goldstone our operational and political considerations, and how the army and defense and intelligence services work, everyone will begin demanding such information. We preferred to deal with the report without taking them into our confidence."
The foreign minister added that the report still has repercussions today. "People are unaware of this, but after the Goldstone report there were another two reports, all of them considering the effects of Goldstone," he said.
"All of them reached the same conclusion: There was no intentional fire on civilians and the justice system in Israel is reliable and serious, and investigates itself. Goldstone mentions 400 cases that Israel reviewed, while Hamas did not review a single case. Intentional fire on civilians is a war crime," Lieberman added.
'Council says nothing on Iran, Sudan'
"The third conclusion that Goldstone reaches in the article is that in actuality the Human Rights Council has become an anti-Israel body whose whole agenda is to degrade the State of Israel."
In his own opinion, the foreign minister said, the council deals in "attempts to persecute and libel Israel."
"This organization is busy with Israel as it is never busy with Iran, Sudan, or North Korea. As of this day, there is no longer any validity to any conclusion or debate about Israel in the Human Rights Council," he said.
"The State of Israel is not Syria, it's not the Ivory Coast, it is a state in which all of the systems work and everyone makes decisions according to the norms accepted around the world, and according to international law."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak was also pleased with Goldstone's admission. "We have always said that the IDF is a moral army that operates according international law, with extraordinary standards in the fight against terror activated by Hamas in Gaza against the citizens of Israel," he said.
Barak added that in addition to his article, Goldstone should also make sure to make his conclusions known to international bodies affected by "his false and distorted" report. "Only in this manner will there truly be partial reparation for the damage caused," he said.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4051053,00.html
Goldstone: Hamas failed to investigate UN allegations
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hamas has not conducted any investigations into rocket and mortar attacks detailed in a UN inquiry into Israel's 2008-2009 assault on the Gaza Strip, South African jurist Richard Goldstone says.
In an op-ed Saturday in The Washington Post, Goldstone noted that while Israel has investigated his report's allegations to a significant degree, "Hamas has done nothing."
"Some have suggested that it was absurd to expect Hamas ... to investigate what we said were serious war crimes. It was my hope, even if unrealistic, that Hamas would," he wrote. "Sadly, that has not been the case."
He added that "asking Hamas to investigate may have been a mistaken enterprise."
As for Fatah's "assassinations, torture and illegal detentions" in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority established an independent inquiry into the allegations of human rights abuses, Goldstone said.
"Most of those allegations were confirmed by this inquiry. Regrettably, there has been no effort by Hamas in Gaza to investigate the allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity."
The retired justice's op-ed, "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes," retracted in part his report's conclusion that Israel intentionally targeted Palestinian civilians as a matter of policy.
While his report established the validity of some incidents in cases involving individual Israeli soldiers, he wrote, "If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document."
Israel's defense minister lauded Goldstone's clarification, the Israeli news site Ynet reported.
"We have always said that the IDF is a moral army that operates according international law, with extraordinary standards in the fight against terror activated by Hamas," he reportedly said.
http://fwd4.me/ypx
Goldstone rethinks controversial report
Head of UN probe into alleged war crimes carried out by Israel, Hamas during 2008 Gaza conflict laments his criticism of Israel in article published by Washington Post; claims Goldstone Report would have been a different document 'if I had known then what I know now'.
WASHINGTON Richard Goldstone regrets a report that accused Israel of war crimes. In an article published Friday in the Washington Post, titled "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes," the South African judge wrote: "If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document."
Goldstone wrote that now he knows that the final report by the UN committee of independent experts, headed by Justice Mary McGowan Davis determined that Israel has dedicated significant resources to investigate over 400 allegations of operational misconduct in Gaza while the de facto authorities (Hamas) have not conducted any investigations into the launching of rocket and mortar attacks against Israel.
The South African judge noted that while the crimes committed by Hamas during Operation Cast Lead, including the indiscriminately rocket fire toward civilian targets were intentional, "The allegations of intentionality by Israel were based on the deaths of and injuries to civilians in situations where our fact-finding mission had no evidence on which to draw any other reasonable conclusion."
'Cold-blooded slaughter'
Goldstone agreed with the conclusions of the Israeli investigation into the IDF shelling of the al-Simouni family home that killed some 29 people.
"The shelling of the home was apparently the consequence of an Israeli commander's erroneous interpretation of a drone image, and an Israeli officer is under investigation for having ordered the attack," he wrote in the article.
Goldstone said he regrets that the "fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes," adding that "Israel's lack of cooperation with our investigation meant that we were not able to corroborate how many Gazans killed were civilians and how many were combatants."
The author of the controversial report stressed that he indicated from the very beginning that Israel's cooperation would have been welcomed.
"The purpose of the Goldstone Report was never to prove a foregone conclusion against Israel. I insisted on changing the original mandate adopted by the Human Rights Council, which was skewed against Israel," he wrote.
In his article, Goldstone denounced the murder of the Fogel family in the West Bank settlement of Itamar last month, saying "The Human Rights Council should condemn the inexcusable and cold-blooded recent slaughter of a young Israeli couple and three of their small children in their beds.
To conclude, the judge wrote, "Our report has led to numerous 'lessons learned' and policy changes," adding that "regrettably, there has been no effort by Hamas in Gaza to investigate the allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4050990,00.html
Israel: UN must cancel Goldstone Report
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the UN to cancel a report that condemns Tel Aviv for war crimes during its offensive against the Gaza Strip.
Following a Washington Post op-ed by Richard Goldstone, which he has retracted his own report on the Gaza war crimes by Israel; Netanyahu called on the UN to retract the Goldstone Report.
Netanyahu said on Saturday the Goldstone Report should be formally nullified, adding that "Everything we said has been proven to be true."
It is not clear yet how and why Goldstone had a second thoughts on his detailed report which he accused Israel of using "disproportionate force, and deliberately targeting civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure, and using people as human shields" in the war against Gaza.
Tel Aviv refused to cooperate with Goldstone's commission and said his report is distorted and biased. Goldstone complained about Israel's lack of cooperation with investigation.
Over 1400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the devastating raid on Gaza at the turn of 2009.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman said the price of dealing with the report over the past few years was worth it.
He added that Goldstone's backtracking renders all decisions by UN Human Rights Council about Israel null and void.
Lieberman also acknowledged that he had to convince everyone, not to give in to Goldstone demand.
"Finally I managed to convince everyone that if we reveal to Goldstone our operational and political considerations, and how the army and defense and intelligence services work, everyone will begin demanding such information," he said.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/172789.html
PM: UN must retract Goldstone report
Lieberman also responds to judge's regret over report on Gaza war, says two years of work undermining it paid off. 'Now it is clear that IDF is moral army,' he says, adding that UN Human Rights Council's decisions on Israel are no longer valid.
Israeli officials expressed satisfaction Saturday with Judge Richard Goldstone's regret for his report on Operation Cast Lead in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the UN to retract the Goldstone report. "Everything we said was proven to be true. Israel did not willfully harm civilians," Netanyahu explained, adding, "Israel's investigating authorities are worthy, while Hamas investigated nothing. The fact that Goldstone withdrew his conclusions must lead to the retraction of the report once and for all."
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Ynet that "the truth is clear, and cannot be questioned".
"The price of dealing (with the report) over the past few years was worth it," Lieberman said, adding that Goldstone's backtracking renders all decisions by UN Human Rights Council about Israel null and void.
"If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document," the South African judge, who had accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, wrote in an article carried by the Washington Post.
Lieberman took credit for the change of heart, explaining that his ministry had been hard at work attempting to undermine the report's conclusions. "We sent letters and documents about it, and I think it is finally sinking in," he said.
"Today it is clear to everyone that the IDF is the most moral army. I think there will be a dramatic change. Everyone understands that there is no place here for any intervention."
Israel refused to cooperate with the UN probe headed by Goldstone in 2009, and the judge expressed his dismay at the fact that this altered the results. "Israel's lack of cooperation with our investigation meant that we were not able to corroborate how many Gazans killed were civilians and how many were combatants," he wrote.
Lieberman recounted the debates that led to Israel's decision at the time. "There were many arguments," he said. "Finally I managed to convince everyone that if we reveal to Goldstone our operational and political considerations, and how the army and defense and intelligence services work, everyone will begin demanding such information. We preferred to deal with the report without taking them into our confidence."
The foreign minister added that the report still has repercussions today. "People are unaware of this, but after the Goldstone report there were another two reports, all of them considering the effects of Goldstone," he said.
"All of them reached the same conclusion: There was no intentional fire on civilians and the justice system in Israel is reliable and serious, and investigates itself. Goldstone mentions 400 cases that Israel reviewed, while Hamas did not review a single case. Intentional fire on civilians is a war crime," Lieberman added.
'Council says nothing on Iran, Sudan'
"The third conclusion that Goldstone reaches in the article is that in actuality the Human Rights Council has become an anti-Israel body whose whole agenda is to degrade the State of Israel."
In his own opinion, the foreign minister said, the council deals in "attempts to persecute and libel Israel."
"This organization is busy with Israel as it is never busy with Iran, Sudan, or North Korea. As of this day, there is no longer any validity to any conclusion or debate about Israel in the Human Rights Council," he said.
"The State of Israel is not Syria, it's not the Ivory Coast, it is a state in which all of the systems work and everyone makes decisions according to the norms accepted around the world, and according to international law."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak was also pleased with Goldstone's admission. "We have always said that the IDF is a moral army that operates according international law, with extraordinary standards in the fight against terror activated by Hamas in Gaza against the citizens of Israel," he said.
Barak added that in addition to his article, Goldstone should also make sure to make his conclusions known to international bodies affected by "his false and distorted" report. "Only in this manner will there truly be partial reparation for the damage caused," he said.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4051053,00.html
Goldstone: Hamas failed to investigate UN allegations
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hamas has not conducted any investigations into rocket and mortar attacks detailed in a UN inquiry into Israel's 2008-2009 assault on the Gaza Strip, South African jurist Richard Goldstone says.
In an op-ed Saturday in The Washington Post, Goldstone noted that while Israel has investigated his report's allegations to a significant degree, "Hamas has done nothing."
"Some have suggested that it was absurd to expect Hamas ... to investigate what we said were serious war crimes. It was my hope, even if unrealistic, that Hamas would," he wrote. "Sadly, that has not been the case."
He added that "asking Hamas to investigate may have been a mistaken enterprise."
As for Fatah's "assassinations, torture and illegal detentions" in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority established an independent inquiry into the allegations of human rights abuses, Goldstone said.
"Most of those allegations were confirmed by this inquiry. Regrettably, there has been no effort by Hamas in Gaza to investigate the allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity."
The retired justice's op-ed, "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes," retracted in part his report's conclusion that Israel intentionally targeted Palestinian civilians as a matter of policy.
While his report established the validity of some incidents in cases involving individual Israeli soldiers, he wrote, "If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document."
Israel's defense minister lauded Goldstone's clarification, the Israeli news site Ynet reported.
"We have always said that the IDF is a moral army that operates according international law, with extraordinary standards in the fight against terror activated by Hamas," he reportedly said.
http://fwd4.me/ypx
Goldstone rethinks controversial report
Head of UN probe into alleged war crimes carried out by Israel, Hamas during 2008 Gaza conflict laments his criticism of Israel in article published by Washington Post; claims Goldstone Report would have been a different document 'if I had known then what I know now'.
WASHINGTON Richard Goldstone regrets a report that accused Israel of war crimes. In an article published Friday in the Washington Post, titled "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes," the South African judge wrote: "If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document."
Goldstone wrote that now he knows that the final report by the UN committee of independent experts, headed by Justice Mary McGowan Davis determined that Israel has dedicated significant resources to investigate over 400 allegations of operational misconduct in Gaza while the de facto authorities (Hamas) have not conducted any investigations into the launching of rocket and mortar attacks against Israel.
The South African judge noted that while the crimes committed by Hamas during Operation Cast Lead, including the indiscriminately rocket fire toward civilian targets were intentional, "The allegations of intentionality by Israel were based on the deaths of and injuries to civilians in situations where our fact-finding mission had no evidence on which to draw any other reasonable conclusion."
'Cold-blooded slaughter'
Goldstone agreed with the conclusions of the Israeli investigation into the IDF shelling of the al-Simouni family home that killed some 29 people.
"The shelling of the home was apparently the consequence of an Israeli commander's erroneous interpretation of a drone image, and an Israeli officer is under investigation for having ordered the attack," he wrote in the article.
Goldstone said he regrets that the "fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes," adding that "Israel's lack of cooperation with our investigation meant that we were not able to corroborate how many Gazans killed were civilians and how many were combatants."
The author of the controversial report stressed that he indicated from the very beginning that Israel's cooperation would have been welcomed.
"The purpose of the Goldstone Report was never to prove a foregone conclusion against Israel. I insisted on changing the original mandate adopted by the Human Rights Council, which was skewed against Israel," he wrote.
In his article, Goldstone denounced the murder of the Fogel family in the West Bank settlement of Itamar last month, saying "The Human Rights Council should condemn the inexcusable and cold-blooded recent slaughter of a young Israeli couple and three of their small children in their beds.
To conclude, the judge wrote, "Our report has led to numerous 'lessons learned' and policy changes," adding that "regrettably, there has been no effort by Hamas in Gaza to investigate the allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4050990,00.html
28 mar 2011
Ahrar: Israeli aggression after UNHRC vote a challenge to the world
As the UN Human Rights Council has asked the Security Council to review the Goldstone report, Israel's continued onslaught on Gaza amounts to a clear challenge to the entire world, said the Palestinian Ahrar movement in a statement on Sunday.
Most recently, Israel dispatched reconnaissance drones that killed two men in northern Gaza Strip and critically injured another on Sunday morning.
Earlier, the UNHRC voted on several issues concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including a vote that would have the UN Security Council review the Goldstone report, which documents war crimes committed by Israel during its 2008-2009 aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The Ahrar movement, initially a branch of Fatah, called on the security council to take steps to thwart Israel's recent aggression that has so far killed ten and injured around 50, some critically.
Palestinian factions have vowed to abide by the agreed upon calm if Israel ceased ongoing attacks.
Meanwhile, a high profile Israeli official has said Israel plans to cut ties with the Palestinian National Authority, which governs the West Bank, if upcomming reconciliation talks resulted in a unity government with Hamas.
PA chief Mahmoud Abbas has recently met with Aziz Dweik, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, in Ramallah to discuss ways to end the Hamas-Fatah split.
The official told Jerusalem Post that Israel wants to see Mahmoud Abbas in control of the PA and also wants the PA to regain control of the Gaza Strip.
Abbas must choose if he wants peace with us or peace with Hamas, the official said.
http://bit.ly/hNHKIg
Ahrar: Israeli aggression after UNHRC vote a challenge to the world
As the UN Human Rights Council has asked the Security Council to review the Goldstone report, Israel's continued onslaught on Gaza amounts to a clear challenge to the entire world, said the Palestinian Ahrar movement in a statement on Sunday.
Most recently, Israel dispatched reconnaissance drones that killed two men in northern Gaza Strip and critically injured another on Sunday morning.
Earlier, the UNHRC voted on several issues concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including a vote that would have the UN Security Council review the Goldstone report, which documents war crimes committed by Israel during its 2008-2009 aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The Ahrar movement, initially a branch of Fatah, called on the security council to take steps to thwart Israel's recent aggression that has so far killed ten and injured around 50, some critically.
Palestinian factions have vowed to abide by the agreed upon calm if Israel ceased ongoing attacks.
Meanwhile, a high profile Israeli official has said Israel plans to cut ties with the Palestinian National Authority, which governs the West Bank, if upcomming reconciliation talks resulted in a unity government with Hamas.
PA chief Mahmoud Abbas has recently met with Aziz Dweik, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, in Ramallah to discuss ways to end the Hamas-Fatah split.
The official told Jerusalem Post that Israel wants to see Mahmoud Abbas in control of the PA and also wants the PA to regain control of the Gaza Strip.
Abbas must choose if he wants peace with us or peace with Hamas, the official said.
http://bit.ly/hNHKIg
16 mar 2011
Gaza govt sends Goldstone updates to UN
The Gaza government committee appointed to follow-up on recommendations set out by the Goldstone Commission has handed its response to the questions received from the Human Rights Council's committee of independent experts.
The Human Rights Council will consider on 21 March a second report of a Committee of Independent Experts which the council mandated to assess the Israeli and Palestinian investigations into serious violations of international law committed by Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups during the 22-day war 2008/2009.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, commissioned by the Human Rights Council and headed by South African Justice Richard Goldstone, found in September 2009 that the violations committed by both sides included war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity. It recommended that the Israeli authorities and the relevant authorities in the Gaza Strip be required to investigate serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law reported by the Mission.
If the authorities failed to conduct independent investigations meeting international standards within six months, the Mission recommended that the UN Security Council refer the issue to the International Criminal Court.
Deputy chief of the de facto government's Goldstone follow up committee Yousif Rizqa said Tuesday that his government accepted all international commissions on the issue in order to make sure Israeli occupation will not go unpunished.
He, however, pointed out that many international commissions and organizations mostly often side with the powerful side and there is a big difference between the occupation state's military power, and the Palestinian people who are the victims.
Rizqa highlighted that Israel refused to cooperate with the Goldstone Mission and all other committees that emerged later including the committee of independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council.
Ever since it was established, the occupation government has been trying to be above international law and UN resolutions and they always had the needed support to do so from the US.
As of the committee of independent expert's suspicions about the integrity of investigations in Gaza, Rizqa said, The committee did not suspect or reject the investigations conducted by the government in Gaza, but rather said the investigation was incomplete and needed completion.
The official explained that the government in Gaza mandated a committee of independent experts from Arab countries recognized internationally for their credibility. The committee, he added, has submitted answers to the questions the Committee of Independent Experts added.
The follow up committee under the ministry of justice in Gaza filed a report with in-detail answers and submitted it before deadline which is 14 March. The government in Gaza, added Rizqa, consider the answers credible, transparent and persuasive.
In Gaza, we have nothing to hide from Human Rights organizations simply because we are the victim and we want the international community to be just with us.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=368776
Gaza govt sends Goldstone updates to UN
The Gaza government committee appointed to follow-up on recommendations set out by the Goldstone Commission has handed its response to the questions received from the Human Rights Council's committee of independent experts.
The Human Rights Council will consider on 21 March a second report of a Committee of Independent Experts which the council mandated to assess the Israeli and Palestinian investigations into serious violations of international law committed by Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups during the 22-day war 2008/2009.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, commissioned by the Human Rights Council and headed by South African Justice Richard Goldstone, found in September 2009 that the violations committed by both sides included war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity. It recommended that the Israeli authorities and the relevant authorities in the Gaza Strip be required to investigate serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law reported by the Mission.
If the authorities failed to conduct independent investigations meeting international standards within six months, the Mission recommended that the UN Security Council refer the issue to the International Criminal Court.
Deputy chief of the de facto government's Goldstone follow up committee Yousif Rizqa said Tuesday that his government accepted all international commissions on the issue in order to make sure Israeli occupation will not go unpunished.
He, however, pointed out that many international commissions and organizations mostly often side with the powerful side and there is a big difference between the occupation state's military power, and the Palestinian people who are the victims.
Rizqa highlighted that Israel refused to cooperate with the Goldstone Mission and all other committees that emerged later including the committee of independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council.
Ever since it was established, the occupation government has been trying to be above international law and UN resolutions and they always had the needed support to do so from the US.
As of the committee of independent expert's suspicions about the integrity of investigations in Gaza, Rizqa said, The committee did not suspect or reject the investigations conducted by the government in Gaza, but rather said the investigation was incomplete and needed completion.
The official explained that the government in Gaza mandated a committee of independent experts from Arab countries recognized internationally for their credibility. The committee, he added, has submitted answers to the questions the Committee of Independent Experts added.
The follow up committee under the ministry of justice in Gaza filed a report with in-detail answers and submitted it before deadline which is 14 March. The government in Gaza, added Rizqa, consider the answers credible, transparent and persuasive.
In Gaza, we have nothing to hide from Human Rights organizations simply because we are the victim and we want the international community to be just with us.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=368776
|
Study non-profit management, urban and environmental policy, human resources, and international affairs at the Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy, a part of The New School in New York City. | http://www.newschool.edu/milano
In the spring of 2009, South African judge Richard Goldstone set out on a mission to the Gaza Strip on assignment from the United Nations Human Rights Council. He was sent to investigate possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas during Operation Cast Lead, Israel's invasion of Gaza a few months earlier. Many other reports on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had come and gone, but the account Goldstone's mission produced later that year was different; it became the report heard round the world, as it alleged that both Israel |
and Hamas committed atrocities during Israel's 2009 incursion into Gaza, with Israel aiming to "punish, humiliate, and terrorize a civilian population" This characterization incited uproar in Israel and abroad. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the findings supplanted any real understanding of their implications. The Goldstone Report (Nation Books 2011) changes this. Edited by three progressive Jewish Americans, it contains analysis, commentary, and a context for debate.??
Join moderator Roger Cohen (New York Times), former U.S. Representative Brian Baird, a critic of Israel's actions in Gaza (whose essay on Congress and the report appears in The Goldstone Report), and former Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), a strong supporter of Israel's policy in Gaza and an informed critic of Goldstone's findings, for an engaging conversation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the report's findings, and the ramifications of the changing landscape in Egypt for the future of peace in the Middle East.
Graduate Program in International Affairs (GPIA) | http://www.newschool.edu/internationalaffairs and http://gpia.info
Sponsored by Nation Books and The New School.
Join moderator Roger Cohen (New York Times), former U.S. Representative Brian Baird, a critic of Israel's actions in Gaza (whose essay on Congress and the report appears in The Goldstone Report), and former Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), a strong supporter of Israel's policy in Gaza and an informed critic of Goldstone's findings, for an engaging conversation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the report's findings, and the ramifications of the changing landscape in Egypt for the future of peace in the Middle East.
Graduate Program in International Affairs (GPIA) | http://www.newschool.edu/internationalaffairs and http://gpia.info
Sponsored by Nation Books and The New School.
26 feb 2011
Samouni Family Project Gaza - TJP Ken O'Keefe
Samouni Family Project Gaza - TJP Ken O'Keefe
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9 feb 2011
US urged not to veto anti-Israeli draft
Protected by Tel Aviv's US-equipped army, Israeli settlers terrorize, harass and murder Palestinians on a daily basis without fear of punishment.
Thousands of US citizens, American groups and organizations have called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a resolution against Israeli war crimes in Palestine.
The move comes as the UNSC prepares to debate a resolution on illegal Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The draft Security Council resolution reaffirms that Israel's settlements "are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace" in the Middle East.
However, the administration of US President Barak Obama has threatened to use its veto power to once again protect Israel from abiding by international law.
"New York is not the place to resolve the longstanding conflict and outstanding issues between the Israelis and the Palestinians," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said in January, in a statement which almost certainly affirms Obama's plan to veto the vote.
On Wednesday, political activist Richard Grave, told IRNA that America's credibility in the world is threatened by its constant protection of Israel.
In a petition, launched by the US Campaign to End Israeli Occupation, the signatories warned that a veto would only damage Obama's reliability, as it would clearly contradict what the US president has been saying for the past 19 months.
Since his rise to power in 2009, Obama has made a settlement freeze the focus of his attempts to resurrect direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
The signatories also reminded the US president of his 2009 speech in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where he said the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements and urged Israel to stop its construction activity.
Tel Aviv's continued construction in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds is seen as the main bone of contention between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and is blamed for derailing several rounds of talks between the two sides.
Apart from that, according to rights groups, Israeli settlers terrorize, harass and kill Palestinians on a daily basis without fear of recrimination or legal ramifications.
For example, on January 27, an Israeli settler shot dead Odai Qadous, an 18-year-old shepherd tending his flock of sheep in the West Bank. And on the very next day, more than 100 Israeli settlers stormed the same region, fatally shooting 15-year-old Yousef Ekhlil.
The tragic deaths serve as a stark reminder that the half million Israeli settlers, protected by the US-equipped Israeli army, are responsible for some of the most egregious human rights abuses suffered by Palestinians every day, the petition read.
Despite international criticisms, the US, a staunch ally to Israel, has, so far, vetoed over 40 anti-Israeli resolutions sought by the council since 1972.
Since 2004, Washington has prevented the adoption of four other resolutions that called for Tel Aviv to halt its operations in the Gaza Strip.
Analysts believe that Washington's unwavering support for Tel Aviv has made the United States an accomplice in Israeli actions.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/164372.html
If Americans Knew
US urged not to veto anti-Israeli draft
Protected by Tel Aviv's US-equipped army, Israeli settlers terrorize, harass and murder Palestinians on a daily basis without fear of punishment.
Thousands of US citizens, American groups and organizations have called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a resolution against Israeli war crimes in Palestine.
The move comes as the UNSC prepares to debate a resolution on illegal Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The draft Security Council resolution reaffirms that Israel's settlements "are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace" in the Middle East.
However, the administration of US President Barak Obama has threatened to use its veto power to once again protect Israel from abiding by international law.
"New York is not the place to resolve the longstanding conflict and outstanding issues between the Israelis and the Palestinians," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said in January, in a statement which almost certainly affirms Obama's plan to veto the vote.
On Wednesday, political activist Richard Grave, told IRNA that America's credibility in the world is threatened by its constant protection of Israel.
In a petition, launched by the US Campaign to End Israeli Occupation, the signatories warned that a veto would only damage Obama's reliability, as it would clearly contradict what the US president has been saying for the past 19 months.
Since his rise to power in 2009, Obama has made a settlement freeze the focus of his attempts to resurrect direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
The signatories also reminded the US president of his 2009 speech in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where he said the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements and urged Israel to stop its construction activity.
Tel Aviv's continued construction in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds is seen as the main bone of contention between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and is blamed for derailing several rounds of talks between the two sides.
Apart from that, according to rights groups, Israeli settlers terrorize, harass and kill Palestinians on a daily basis without fear of recrimination or legal ramifications.
For example, on January 27, an Israeli settler shot dead Odai Qadous, an 18-year-old shepherd tending his flock of sheep in the West Bank. And on the very next day, more than 100 Israeli settlers stormed the same region, fatally shooting 15-year-old Yousef Ekhlil.
The tragic deaths serve as a stark reminder that the half million Israeli settlers, protected by the US-equipped Israeli army, are responsible for some of the most egregious human rights abuses suffered by Palestinians every day, the petition read.
Despite international criticisms, the US, a staunch ally to Israel, has, so far, vetoed over 40 anti-Israeli resolutions sought by the council since 1972.
Since 2004, Washington has prevented the adoption of four other resolutions that called for Tel Aviv to halt its operations in the Gaza Strip.
Analysts believe that Washington's unwavering support for Tel Aviv has made the United States an accomplice in Israeli actions.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/164372.html
If Americans Knew
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7 feb 2011
Report: Gaza complains to UN over Goldstone follow-up
Gaza Minister of Justice Mohammed Faraj Al-Ghoul reportedly sent a letter to UN officials last week, asking why the international body had failed to follow-up on local efforts to respond to allegations outlined in the Goldstone report.
According to a Monday report by the Hamas-affiliated Palestine Information Center, Al-Ghoul wrote that "Despite the Palestinian government's commitment to follow the report's recommendations ... authorities in Gaza have not received any response or comments" on a series of documents sent to the UN Human Rights Council.
In Justice Richard Goldstone's report, which investigated reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel's Operation Cast Lead in December 2008 to January 2009, UN experts found evidence of the crimes and recommended that both Israel and Palestine set up internal commissions to bring justice. If the nations were unable to conduct impartial inquiries, his report recommended that the issue be transferred to the International Criminal Court.
Al-Ghoul said in his letter that the Gaza government had set up an independent board to follow-through on the recommendations of the Goldstone report, and said that thus far, had "fulfilled its obligations according to recommendations by the Human Rights Council."
The report did not say what the findings of any of the investigations were, or whether any parties were brought to trial.
Goldstone noted in his report that the launching of projectiles into Israeli civilian areas could constitute a war crime, and should be investigated.
Israel, which refused to participate in the Goldstone fact-finding mission, launched a military inquiry, investigated allegations of misconduct and reprimanded at least three officers.
During the operation, more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed, at least half of whom were women and children. Another 5,000 were injured and 6,000 homes destroyed, according to the UN.
Also in his statement, Al-Ghoul welcomed UN Human Rights Council Commissioner Nawitham Pillay the region. The officials was set to tour Palestinian villages in East Jerusalem on Monday, and set to be briefed on the current situation in the days to come.
On Sunday, a group of 13 Palestinian and Israeli rights organizations asked Pillay to push the UN on its dealings with the Goldstone report. During the last session of the General Assembly, Ban gave Israeli and Palestinian officials an extended period of time to investigate the report's allegations internally.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=357679
Report: Gaza complains to UN over Goldstone follow-up
Gaza Minister of Justice Mohammed Faraj Al-Ghoul reportedly sent a letter to UN officials last week, asking why the international body had failed to follow-up on local efforts to respond to allegations outlined in the Goldstone report.
According to a Monday report by the Hamas-affiliated Palestine Information Center, Al-Ghoul wrote that "Despite the Palestinian government's commitment to follow the report's recommendations ... authorities in Gaza have not received any response or comments" on a series of documents sent to the UN Human Rights Council.
In Justice Richard Goldstone's report, which investigated reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel's Operation Cast Lead in December 2008 to January 2009, UN experts found evidence of the crimes and recommended that both Israel and Palestine set up internal commissions to bring justice. If the nations were unable to conduct impartial inquiries, his report recommended that the issue be transferred to the International Criminal Court.
Al-Ghoul said in his letter that the Gaza government had set up an independent board to follow-through on the recommendations of the Goldstone report, and said that thus far, had "fulfilled its obligations according to recommendations by the Human Rights Council."
The report did not say what the findings of any of the investigations were, or whether any parties were brought to trial.
Goldstone noted in his report that the launching of projectiles into Israeli civilian areas could constitute a war crime, and should be investigated.
Israel, which refused to participate in the Goldstone fact-finding mission, launched a military inquiry, investigated allegations of misconduct and reprimanded at least three officers.
During the operation, more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed, at least half of whom were women and children. Another 5,000 were injured and 6,000 homes destroyed, according to the UN.
Also in his statement, Al-Ghoul welcomed UN Human Rights Council Commissioner Nawitham Pillay the region. The officials was set to tour Palestinian villages in East Jerusalem on Monday, and set to be briefed on the current situation in the days to come.
On Sunday, a group of 13 Palestinian and Israeli rights organizations asked Pillay to push the UN on its dealings with the Goldstone report. During the last session of the General Assembly, Ban gave Israeli and Palestinian officials an extended period of time to investigate the report's allegations internally.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=357679
6 feb 2011
An open letter to the High Commissioner: Is the Goldstone report dead?
An open letter from 13 Palestinian and Israeli Human Rights Organizations to the United Nations High Commissioner
As Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, we welcome your first visit to the region and take this occasion to ask: is the Goldstone report dead? Over two years have passed since the end of the Israeli offensive Operation Cast Lead on the Gaza Strip, and justice for victims has yet to be addressed.
Should these victims give up on the UN in their search for accountability? Or is there a way out from the prevailing culture of impunity? The opportunity to achieve justice is being hijacked by political interests and we seek your unequivocal support on behalf of the victims. Achieving justice is essential to prevent further violations of international law and to lay the foundations for a just and long lasting peace in the region.
The Goldstone report, published in September 2009, presents strong evidence that war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity were committed during Operation Cast Lead. The report, endorsed by both the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, provides a clear framework to ensure justice for victims in accordance with international law, including referral to the UN Security Council, the International Criminal Court and the exercise of universal jurisdiction. Over a year later, justice has not been delivered to the victims.
Israeli investigations, conducted by the military, fail to examine the legality of decisions taken by senior military and political leaders who designed, planned and implemented the attacks. To date, only one Israeli soldier has been sent to prison for stealing a credit card. The Committee of Independent Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council confirmed the lack of cooperation by Israel and its unwillingness, despite its capability, to conduct genuine investigations in accordance with international standards.
On the Palestinian side, the authorities in Gaza have been unsuccessful in carrying out credible and genuine investigations, as confirmed by the UN Committee of Independent Experts. Despite the independent investigations mandated by the Palestinian Authority, no criminal proceedings have been initiated.
Thus far, the international community of States has failed to uphold its responsibility to ensure justice for international crimes. Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority, entrusted to uphold the interests of the Palestinian people before the UN and diplomatic community, has undermined the Goldstone recommendations by capitulating to external political pressures.
Palestinian representatives and member States of the UN Human Rights Council persist in prioritizing politics over the rights of victims by according more time to continue the façade of domestic investigations.
As the implementation of the Goldstone recommendations is being delayed, Israel's closure policy continues to collectively punish 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, where incursions are intensifying and civilians are being killed while trying to make a living. The denial of justice for victims of "Operation Cast Lead" is compounded by Israels occupation of Palestinian territory, where violations of international law have gone unpunished for over 43 years.
Today, Israels illegal policies of settlement expansion and forcible transfer of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank, amongst others, contribute to undermine peace efforts and result in the delegitimization of the international actors involved, while undermining fundamental principles of international law and justice.
As the highest UN official responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights, we urge you to give a voice to the victims of "Operation Cast Lead" and inject momentum into their search for justice.
We call upon you to denounce the forfeiture of justice for Palestinian victims of international crimes in the name of politics and to publicly demand the implementation of the Goldstone report, including referral to the General Assembly, without further delay.
We also request that you seek immediate clarification from the Office of Legal Affairs of any pending issues regarding the establishment of an escrow fund for Palestinian victims of the offensive to promptly advance its development.
Finally, we ask you to firmly condemn Israels persistent violations of international law, which prevent the Palestinian people from exercising their universally recognized right to self-determination.
The UN must seize this opportunity to demonstrate its declared commitment to justice as stated by the Secretary-General in his address to the General Assembly in January 2011. We trust that you and your Office will use all means at your disposal, including high-profile advocacy, to ensure that the Palestinian people are fully included in the UN-proclaimed "new era of accountability" and that impunity does not prevail once again.
Yours sincerely,
Addameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association
Aldameer Association for Human Rights
Al-Haq
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
The Civic Coalition for Defending Palestinians Rights in Jerusalem
Defence for Children International Palestine Section
Ensan Center for Human Rights and Democracy
Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights
Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
Women`s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling
The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=357374
An open letter to the High Commissioner: Is the Goldstone report dead?
An open letter from 13 Palestinian and Israeli Human Rights Organizations to the United Nations High Commissioner
As Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, we welcome your first visit to the region and take this occasion to ask: is the Goldstone report dead? Over two years have passed since the end of the Israeli offensive Operation Cast Lead on the Gaza Strip, and justice for victims has yet to be addressed.
Should these victims give up on the UN in their search for accountability? Or is there a way out from the prevailing culture of impunity? The opportunity to achieve justice is being hijacked by political interests and we seek your unequivocal support on behalf of the victims. Achieving justice is essential to prevent further violations of international law and to lay the foundations for a just and long lasting peace in the region.
The Goldstone report, published in September 2009, presents strong evidence that war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity were committed during Operation Cast Lead. The report, endorsed by both the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, provides a clear framework to ensure justice for victims in accordance with international law, including referral to the UN Security Council, the International Criminal Court and the exercise of universal jurisdiction. Over a year later, justice has not been delivered to the victims.
Israeli investigations, conducted by the military, fail to examine the legality of decisions taken by senior military and political leaders who designed, planned and implemented the attacks. To date, only one Israeli soldier has been sent to prison for stealing a credit card. The Committee of Independent Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council confirmed the lack of cooperation by Israel and its unwillingness, despite its capability, to conduct genuine investigations in accordance with international standards.
On the Palestinian side, the authorities in Gaza have been unsuccessful in carrying out credible and genuine investigations, as confirmed by the UN Committee of Independent Experts. Despite the independent investigations mandated by the Palestinian Authority, no criminal proceedings have been initiated.
Thus far, the international community of States has failed to uphold its responsibility to ensure justice for international crimes. Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority, entrusted to uphold the interests of the Palestinian people before the UN and diplomatic community, has undermined the Goldstone recommendations by capitulating to external political pressures.
Palestinian representatives and member States of the UN Human Rights Council persist in prioritizing politics over the rights of victims by according more time to continue the façade of domestic investigations.
As the implementation of the Goldstone recommendations is being delayed, Israel's closure policy continues to collectively punish 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, where incursions are intensifying and civilians are being killed while trying to make a living. The denial of justice for victims of "Operation Cast Lead" is compounded by Israels occupation of Palestinian territory, where violations of international law have gone unpunished for over 43 years.
Today, Israels illegal policies of settlement expansion and forcible transfer of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank, amongst others, contribute to undermine peace efforts and result in the delegitimization of the international actors involved, while undermining fundamental principles of international law and justice.
As the highest UN official responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights, we urge you to give a voice to the victims of "Operation Cast Lead" and inject momentum into their search for justice.
We call upon you to denounce the forfeiture of justice for Palestinian victims of international crimes in the name of politics and to publicly demand the implementation of the Goldstone report, including referral to the General Assembly, without further delay.
We also request that you seek immediate clarification from the Office of Legal Affairs of any pending issues regarding the establishment of an escrow fund for Palestinian victims of the offensive to promptly advance its development.
Finally, we ask you to firmly condemn Israels persistent violations of international law, which prevent the Palestinian people from exercising their universally recognized right to self-determination.
The UN must seize this opportunity to demonstrate its declared commitment to justice as stated by the Secretary-General in his address to the General Assembly in January 2011. We trust that you and your Office will use all means at your disposal, including high-profile advocacy, to ensure that the Palestinian people are fully included in the UN-proclaimed "new era of accountability" and that impunity does not prevail once again.
Yours sincerely,
Addameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association
Aldameer Association for Human Rights
Al-Haq
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
The Civic Coalition for Defending Palestinians Rights in Jerusalem
Defence for Children International Palestine Section
Ensan Center for Human Rights and Democracy
Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights
Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
Women`s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling
The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=357374
31 jan 2011
Cleansing Gaza - Israel/Palestine
Cleansing Gaza - Israel/Palestine
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It's the two-year anniversary of Operation Cast Lead and for the first time Israeli soldiers are speaking publicly about their orders. In startling interviews they claim the IDF brutally targeted civilians.
These soldiers are laying bare the true extent of Israel's cruelty in Gaza. Yet while many expected human rights abuse, the horrific attacks on civilians they speak about was worse than anyone imagined. "It sounds really terrible to say 'cleanse', but those were the orders", says tank commander Ohad. Speaking candidly of the instructions they were given before their entry into Gaza, the soldiers accuse their leaders of a 'disproportionate' response, which aimed to target civilians. One soldier recalls being instructed to shell every house in a |
neighbourhood. Officers created an environment that encouraged indiscriminate killing. Soldiers even boasted to each other about the number of civilians they had killed.
Yegev remembers being told, "I heard you killed two today, great!"
Whilst the IDF have asserted that their operational orders focused on 'humanity', the soldiers recall how their leaders would 'psych up' the troops to encourage unprovoked violence. "The order was very clear - if a car came within 200 metres of me I could simply shoot a shell at it".
Yegev remembers being told, "I heard you killed two today, great!"
Whilst the IDF have asserted that their operational orders focused on 'humanity', the soldiers recall how their leaders would 'psych up' the troops to encourage unprovoked violence. "The order was very clear - if a car came within 200 metres of me I could simply shoot a shell at it".