LionPAC Response to the United Nation's Gaza "Fact Finding Mission"
3 months ago
On September 15th, Judge Richard Goldstone released his report from a fact-finding mission looking into possible war crimes committed by both Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces in last winter's Operation Cast Lead. The 574-page report excoriates Israel and only discusses possible war crimes by Hamas in ten pages. Of those ten, Judge Goldstone nearly dismisses any possibility of infraction by Hamas militants.
Prior to the beginning of the mission, many countries who sensed that the report would be biased and skewed against Israel's behalf refused to support Goldstone and his commission.
A wide majority of both houses of Congress spoke out against the report, calling it biased and ignorant of the reality in the region. Since the report was released, the IDF has posted videos that disprove points made in the report.
The Obama Administration and many other countries across Europe have also denounced the report, quoting similar reasons. Israeli President Shimon Peres said last week, "The report gives de facto legitimacy to terrorist initiatives and ignores the obligation and right of every country to defend itself, as the UN itself had clearly stated." He added that the criticism aimed at Israel, "Failed to supply any other way for Hamas fire to stop," and the report “makes a mockery of history and fails to distinguish between aggressor and those acting in self-defense.”
Going against the outlines of a fact-finding mission, Goldstone stated that Israel needs to do a self-investigation of the situation or the case will be sent to the International Criminal Court.
There are reports, though unconfirmed, that the Obama Administration claims it is willing to use its UN Security Council Veto to prevent the report from going any further.
Reassuring for Israel, the tripartite meeting on Tuesday, September 22nd with President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, was very successful. Obama supported Netanyahu and said that he was disappointed the two sides have been resistant to talks. After many attempts and PA rejections, this was a success for Netanyahu.
--Ron Shapiro--
Prior to the beginning of the mission, many countries who sensed that the report would be biased and skewed against Israel's behalf refused to support Goldstone and his commission.
A wide majority of both houses of Congress spoke out against the report, calling it biased and ignorant of the reality in the region. Since the report was released, the IDF has posted videos that disprove points made in the report.
The Obama Administration and many other countries across Europe have also denounced the report, quoting similar reasons. Israeli President Shimon Peres said last week, "The report gives de facto legitimacy to terrorist initiatives and ignores the obligation and right of every country to defend itself, as the UN itself had clearly stated." He added that the criticism aimed at Israel, "Failed to supply any other way for Hamas fire to stop," and the report “makes a mockery of history and fails to distinguish between aggressor and those acting in self-defense.”
Going against the outlines of a fact-finding mission, Goldstone stated that Israel needs to do a self-investigation of the situation or the case will be sent to the International Criminal Court.
There are reports, though unconfirmed, that the Obama Administration claims it is willing to use its UN Security Council Veto to prevent the report from going any further.
Reassuring for Israel, the tripartite meeting on Tuesday, September 22nd with President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, was very successful. Obama supported Netanyahu and said that he was disappointed the two sides have been resistant to talks. After many attempts and PA rejections, this was a success for Netanyahu.
--Ron Shapiro--