The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict will issue a report today accusing Israel of “actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity” during its military incursion into Gaza from December 27 to January 18. The mission headed by respected South African judge Richard Goldstone is a major development in the controversy and could put the United States in a very difficult position.
The 400-page report was written without the cooperation of Israel, which insisted that the body should have considered “the thousands of Hamas missiles attacks on civilians in southern Israel that made the Gaza Operation necessary.” There is no question that those acts are crimes themselves and are relevant to any reviewing of the cause or justification for the invasion. However, this investigation focused on how the invasion was carried out — a separate issue.
Goldstone, who is Jewish, has previously indicated that the group found clear evidence of violations of international law in the invasion.
The UN found that Israel failed to minimize casualties, used white phosphorous in civilian areas, intentionally fired upon hospitals using high-explosive artillery shells, and did not effectively warn civilians of attacks. It also accused some Israeli soldiers of using civilians as human shields and attacking food supplies for civilians.
The mission does call on the Palestinians to investigate war crimes by their side and to release soldier Gilad Shalit.
In the most worrisome part for Israel, the mission calls for an investigation by the International Criminal Court for possible war crimes prosecutions. Goldstone previously denounced Hamas for war crimes.
If Israel defies such an investigation, it would be in the same position as Serbia and other rogue nations. This could further isolate the country at a time when it has allowed the controversial “natural growth” of settlements in occupied areas.
With the hardline government of Binyamin Netanyahu, there will be a considerable effort to oppose any war crimes prosecution and he will likely look to the United States to help block that effort. The government has already denounced the findings as “propaganda,” here. After dismissing the Obama Administration’s demands for a halt to the settlement construction, it will be an awkward moment for Netanyahu to demand the U.S. use its power to stop an investigation. However, there will be many in Congress who will likely assist in that effort.
Of course, Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder are already limiting any domestic investigation into war crimes committed by our government in its torture program.
For the story, click here.
It’s a sad commentary when one justifies war crimes by pointing out the war crimes of the other side.
We allow these guys to slam Israel for defending its people, but we never say anything about the atrocities committed by Hamas, and other terrorists. Every time that Israel gives concessions, Hamas jumps up and throws missiles, etc. So, when Hamas is ready to act like human beings, and give as much as it takes, then Hamas can be considered a party to peace. Until then, NUKE em.
Aren’t you late for a meeting at Acorn or something buddha?
Mike,
The quality of the trolls is in flux for a fact.
It’s easy to be an apologist when it’s not your civilians getting killed, so let’s not skew this as a left/right issue, m’kay? That just reeks of troll. The topic is WAR CRIME. Not your whiny little bitching about liberals. So how about YOU sticking to the subject.
Bob,
Explain to me what was “legal” about the creation of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, etc. Then maybe we can talk.
Larry,
“discussion I had with a liberal, he was totally backed in a corner with no defense, and really dealt me a blow (hardly) when he demanded, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, man!””
That is about as shaggy a dog story, or alternatively straw man set up as it gets.
I really get tired of hearing people trying to debate or express their opinions who have little to do it with other than headlines, sound bites and buzz words. That’s what often makes arguing with a liberal so frustrating. At the end of one discussion I had with a liberal, he was totally backed in a corner with no defense, and really dealt me a blow (hardly) when he demanded, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, man!” It’s easy to parrot headlines. It takes more than a little thought to intelligently discuss and debate the issues.
sumday,
Your ignorance astounds me. Israel has no justification to call for the destruction of Muslim countries. However, Israel was created in the land of the Palestinian people without their consent or approval. That is why people call for the destruction of Israel. It was created illegally.
Rafflaw,
Your initial response sums it up as to the contextual hypocrisy at play here. I support Israel and yet I have no doubt that they have done some very bad things in Gaza. This is not exactly a one way street though and in the UN with its’ more than 70 Muslim nations it becomes easy to single out one hated State and ignore the crimes committed by and in many others.
While much has been made of Dr. Goldstone being Jewish, so less biased and more credible that doesn’t follow. See Howard Zinn’s thoughts on Israel and tell me if being born Jewish ensures one’s siding with Israel. Nevertheless, I would support condemnation of Israel’s actions if at the same time Bush/Cheney were prosecuted and along with them the human rights and war crimes committed by other nations and entities.
Israel has earned its’ being targeted for opprobrium, but sadly not more so, or to the extent of many other countries. Possibly a million dead Iraqi’s give support to my view.
Butters,
That Economist article is pretty ridiculous. A few quotes…
“It was mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, an anti-Israeli outfit…”
Maybe the UN Human Rights Council scrutinizes Israel because they so often commit war crimes, not because there is some insidious ‘anti-Israel’ bias in the council? Continuing…
“It is a grisly thought, but if Israel really had wanted to make Palestinian civilians suffer, the toll could have been vastly higher.”
The logic: The body count COULD always be higher, so it always falls just under the amount required for a war crimes investigation.
“And there is a danger of double standards. American and European forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo also caused thousands of civilian deaths, without attracting a Goldstone.”
True, but what’s the alternative? Not releasing any condemnations of war crimes by anyone — hardly productive (or, releasing condemnations of all war crimes ever simultaneously, an unlikely prospect).
“Yet if the mere fact of Israel’s attack were enough to condemn it then Mr Goldstone’s report was pointless all along.”
No, I think that’s the entire point… conducting an aggressive war against a defenseless civilian population is quite abhorrent.
“The pity is that the report frustrates the objective that Israel should be striving for: to hold its politicians and soldiers to the highest standards of Israeli and international law.”
War is Peace. Doublespeak like this usually comes out of the US Defense Department, not the Economist. For shame.
“The UN report has not come at a good moment. Barack Obama is trying to restart direct talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. The peace process was never going to be easy. With its thimbleful of poison, the Goldstone report has made the job all the harder.”
And now, a completely irrelevant segway into what Obama thinks about all this.
I could do more, but I’m tired.
And just what do you expect the biggest culprit of human atrocities and illegal war aggression to do about this (speaking of our beloved USA)?
Why, of course, we will send them even more weapons, so that they can kill even more little brown people.
We must not stop Israel from its murderous rampage. If we did, then someone might ask us about ours.
raff,
Well played, sir, and to the point.
I’m sorry professor, even the Economist lambasts the report: http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14455609
Who Committed War Crimes in Gaza
“CNN: Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, including schools, houses, kindergarten facilities, hospitals, for storing and launching rockets and other ammunition, placing training camps inside populated areas in violation of Geneva Convention and international law. “
“Ms. Rice, The Secretary of State, told reporters at the State Department :… Hamas participates in activities like human shields and using buildings that are not designated as military buildings to hide their fighters”
Italian newspaper: Gazans say Hamas kept them in homes used by gunmen
“Palestinian civilians have accused Hamas of forcing them to stay in homes from which gunmen shot at Israeli soldiers during the recent hostilities in Gaza, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported. “
EU aid chief: Hamas ‘enormously responsible’ for Gaza war
“Michel echoed Israeli criticisms that Hamas used civilians as “human shields” by fighting in populated areas and, describing Hamas rocket fire on Israel as a “provocation”, he said in English: “Hamas is acting in the way of a terrorist movement.”
Top IDF officer: Hamas made ‘monstrous’ use of children during Gaza op
“The IDF Gaza Division Commander on Thursday, meanwhile, branded Hamas’ use of women and children during the offensive in Gaza as “monstrous” and “inhumane.” Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg said the civilians were sent by Hamas to transfer weapons to gunmen during the offensive. He also accused the Islamist militant group of booby-trapping many of the civilians’ homes. “Entire families in Gaza lived on top of a barrel of explosives for months without knowing,” Eisenberg said. “
Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in Shifa Hospital basement
By Amos HarelHaaretz
“Senior Hamas officials in Gaza are hiding out in a “bunker” built by Israel, intelligence officials suspect: Many are believed to be in the basements of the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City, which was refurbished during Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip. “
WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo
By Haaertz Service
“Israel Defense Forces troops this week uncovered a school in the Gaza Strip rigged by Hamas militants with a large amount of explosives. The school, located next to a Gaza zoo, was entirely surrounded by a fuse connecting to the explosives. Inside the abandoned classrooms, IDF troops found a number of weapons. “
Hamas raids aid trucks, sells supplies
By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST.COM STAFF
Jerusalem Post
“Hamas on Monday raided some 100 aid trucks that Israel had allowed into Gaza, stole their contents and sold them to the highest bidders. The IDF said that since terminal activity is coordinated with UNRWA and the Red Cross, Israel could do nothing to prevent such raids, Israel Radio reported. “
For the first time, Gaza militants fire phosphorus shell at Israel
By Yanir Yagna, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
“Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday fired their first phosphorus shell into Israel, which exploded in an open area in the Eshkol area in the western Negev. No injuries or damage were reported. The phosphorus shell was among the 14 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel on Wednesday.”
Goldstone’s Report
No doubt that Richard Goldstone investigation was under Hamas close supervision and tight control. There are mounting evidences from credible sources who must be anonymous due to death threat from Hamas as they are living in Gaza. No doubt that Richard Goldstone perfectly understood the situation, but decided to go on with fake and Hamas-staged and controlled investigation. His report contradicts to previous complaints from Gaza residents on Hamas using civilians as human shield and civilian infrastructure for military purposes reported by Italian and other newspapers and UN officials.
The same was in Lebanon, where HRW and AI knowingly participated in Hezbullah-staged and controlled investigations; and in Second intifada, when western journalists made an agreement with Arafat to be controlled
in what they were reporting.
Obviously, Goldstone is a pathological liar.
Reading over parts of the U.N. report and also some of the news articles about it, I can’t deny the nagging feeling that the authors of this report are little more than Saul Alinsky devotees.
“Quod licet jovi non licet bovi,” if I remember correctly, appears to apply to current political debate in general.
rafflaw,
This is an understatement in this matter. Wow, enough said.
Israel sends food to their enemies civilians, yet the enemy sends bombs and lies back? Israel gives up some of its conquered land for peace, and the enemy used that land to shoot bombs at Israel (when was the last time a Muslim country gave anything it conquered back?). Why have the UN not addressed any condemnation for the actions that Palestine does? It’s like the Muslims get a free pass for whatever they want including hiding behind civilians and committing war crimes themselves (by using hospitals, places of worship, ect as cover for their assaults). The UN is bribable with oil. Furthermore Israel has done nothing that anyone of the UN countries has not done themselves. Ever notice how Palestine and other Muslims countries call for the total destruction of Israel, yet Israel has never once called for their destruction, yet the UN condemns Israel? Who are the real criminals here?
rafflaw,
Agreed.
A new de facto standard may be emerging in imperialist circles, which will take us back into the dark ages of human behaviour.
The United States during the Bush years allowed and authorized countless war crimes and we have done nothing about it. The men and women responsible for these crimes are still part of society without any attempt to prosecute them. Knowing this, the US will do nothing to stop this call for prosecution because to do so would cause the spotlight to be shown on the US and its intentional mishandling of detainees once again.