Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 31, 2009 Shvat 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 00:31 (EST+7)
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Investigate now
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: gaza, IDF, israel news, hamas

In the aftermath of the war, the questions arise. Now, as the last IDF soldiers leave the Gaza Strip and the plumes of smoke and dust dissipate over the ruins, the picture of the war starts becoming clearer.

The first wave of international journalists has already succeeded in entering Gaza through Rafah, despite the outrageous closure which Israel has imposed on coverage of the events. They are already reporting on the sights they are witnessing for the most important global media outlets. International aid organizations have also started investigating what transpired on the streets of Gaza.

The questions are plentiful and troubling: the mass killing of civilians, among them 300 children and 100 women; the shooting at medical crews; the use of illegal munitions against a civilian population, including white phosphorus shells; the prevention of the evacuation of wounded; bombing and shelling of schools, hospitals, supply convoys and a UN facility. These questions cannot remain unanswered. The suspicion that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza is liable to cause it great damage.
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This is precisely the moment at which Israel needs to preempt the others and investigate itself. It is impossible to ignore what has already been reported, and one must not leave the task of investigating solely to foreign bodies, some of whom are hostile. Israel also needs to ask itself what was done in its name in Gaza. Were deeds that are never to be done, even in a time of war, perpetrated? Has the IDF crossed the line according to international law? Was there no other way apart from such widespread killing and destruction?

Israel does not need this probe solely because of image considerations. Its moral profile in its own eyes is invaluably important. Now, the time has come for a Winograd committee for this war: An independent legal official who will probe all accusations. Just as Israel investigates airplane crashes and instances of medical malpractice in hospitals, it must also probe its actions in Gaza.

Such an independent investigation launched by Israel will to some extent dull the damage of the initial conclusions and the verdict that has already been levied against Israel across wide swaths of international public opinion. It will also enable Israelis to know what it is we did in Gaza, what was permitted and what was unnecessary and even forbidden, from a trusted source on whom Israelis can rely.

We cannot wait until the world has its say, and perhaps takes legal steps of its own.
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  1.   Just Like the USA Investigated Bombing Serbia 00:47  |  ott 01/01/09
  2.   Israel Should Indeed Soul Search 00:44  |  Larry 01/01/09
  3.   Not another `Winograd`. 00:48  |  Michael N 01/01/09
  4.   #1 Only an Israeli would think Israel was above censure. 00:00  |  JK 01/01/09
  5.   Israel alreadys knows the answers 00:09  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
  6.   If Israel won`t investigate... 00:22  |  David 01/01/09
  7.   Israel should investigate Gazan war crimes 00:47  |  Richard Sherwin 01/01/09
  8.   Oxymorons abound 00:54  |  Shlomo 01/01/09
  9.   #2 JK,only a Jihadist believes he is above censure 00:54  |  Hastaroth 01/01/09
  10.   shoot and cry dardeleh 00:59  |  MarkC 01/01/09
  11.   #1 Unfortunately,you are right 00:59  |  Hastaroth 01/01/09
  12.   Investigate Hamas too 00:00  |  lola 01/01/09
  13.   No need for investigation 00:04  |  John 01/01/09
  14.   Two investigations are required 00:15  |  Sherlock Holmes 01/01/09
  15.   Compliance with International Law 00:19  |  Joseph 01/01/09
  16.   Full, complete picture must emerge 00:23  |  Danny 01/01/09
  17.   Most certainly our own investigation needs to be launched 00:27  |  Esther 01/01/09
  18.   The "original sin" was to prevent journalists from entering Gaza 00:38  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/01/09
  19.   On who should be on that board of inquiry 00:16  |  sh 01/01/09
  20.   Proposed Judges 00:23  |  Allan 01/01/09
  21.   Reply to #5 Shlomo 00:28  |  Ben Azzai 01/01/09
  22.   Answers for Natallie and all the forum friends 00:48  |  Sceptic 01/01/09
  23.   #5, indeed and more 00:53  |  fritz t. 01/01/09
  24.   # 10 Divine providence??? 00:49  |  mike 01/01/09
  25.   Poor israelis 00:05  |  Corto Maltese 01/01/09
  26.   good for israel first 00:18  |  edouard 01/01/09
  27.   Investigation? What investigation? 00:07  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
  28.   There is no point 00:46  |  Amuzed 01/01/09
  29.   This article is funny ! 00:56  |  blame shame khraim 01/01/09
  30.   To sceptic 00:05  |  Big 01/01/09
  31.   The wrong approach 00:09  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/09
  32.   Hiding behind civilians 00:13  |  Big 01/01/09
  33.   stop it 00:17  |  pity 01/01/09
  34.   Remember the bombing of the school 00:26  |  Big 01/01/09
  35.   The Road Ahead 00:38  |  Rahul Ghosh 01/01/09
  36.   Tell you what... 00:00  |  Zach 01/01/09
  37.   Investigate later: Shalit is more important 00:53  |  bernard ross 01/01/09
  38.   sh the Gideon Levy Clone 00:01  |  x-ray 01/01/09
  39.   It`s the right thing, but we an international investigation 00:46  |  Jens 01/01/09
  40.   Impossible 00:28  |  Murray 01/01/09
  41.   Investigate now,how right you are, but!! 00:31  |  David Nigel Braham 01/01/09
  42.   Really Bernard Ross? 00:36  |  PR 01/01/09
  43.   more leftist lunacy 00:52  |  Mark 01/01/09
  44.   H.Editorial. Totally right, we Need an Investigation NOW. NOW. 00:12  |  Amir 01/01/09
  45.   Yes, We Do an Investigation! 00:54  |  ott 01/01/09
  46.   Will be irrelevant 00:58  |  Jordan 01/01/09
  47.   x-ray 00:32  |  sh 01/01/09
  48.   Typical naieve nonsense from ha`aretz 00:47  |  rich 01/01/09
  49.   No crimes unless proven otherwise 00:04  |  jason 01/01/09
  50.   Mendel save you money 00:09  |  mendel-the-mean 01/01/09
  51.   investigate 00:57  |  Jim USA 01/01/09
  52.   Haaretz to Truth: Go to Hell 00:10  |  Pssd Off American 01/01/09
  53.   Whitewash 00:31  |  Tony Price 01/01/09
  54.   today`s editorial re: Gaza investigation 00:00  |  Joe Fontana 01/01/09
  55.   PO`d American has a point Haaretz... 00:03  |  BBSNews 01/01/09
  56.   18 Dino it is worse than that 00:25  |  John , Canadian 01/01/09
  57.   WHITEWASH - APPENDIX B 00:43  |  JOHN ISH ISHMAEL 01/01/09
  58.   Corto Maltese 00:45  |  niccolo 01/01/09
  59.   #7 Richard- EXACTLY 00:45  |  Proud Secular Jew 01/01/09
  60.   Whatever would be the point of that?? 00:24  |  Silvienne 01/01/09
  61.   War crimes cover up ? 00:51  |  Matt 01/01/09
  62.   Drop investigation 00:25  |  Petter Etter 01/01/09
 Read & React
WATCH: Turkey PM storms off stage over Peres remarks on Gaza
Responses: 203
Spanish FM: We'll act to prevent war crimes probes against Israel
Responses: 237
Netanyahu: I'm not bound by Olmert vow to clear settlements
Responses: 64
Secret database reveals full extent of illegal Israeli settlement
Responses: 65
Top Hamas leader in first public appearance since Gaza war: We won
Responses: 54


More Headlines
00:28 Livni to Cypriot FM: Confiscate weapons from Iranian ship
00:08 Sources: Egypt begins installing cameras, sensors at Gaza border
00:13 Abbas postpones Europe trip, flies to Cairo for 'urgent' talks
00:50 Report: Gaza Hamas heads furious with Meshal decision to end lull
00:21 Israeli Arabs protest banning of PFLP founder memorial service
00:50 Study: U.S. Jewry's willingness to strengthen Israel ties very low
00:32 Blair: Hamas should be part of peace process
00:35 Arab MKs: Iran news agency falsified anti-Israel remarks attributed to us
00:46 Report: Turkish PM Erdogan says 'Palestine today is an open-air prison'
00:30 Jordan`s king meets Mitchell, calls for immediate resumption of peace talks
00:43 Palestinians in Gaza launch Grad rocket into Ashkelon
00:53 Report: Palestinian foreign minister demands EU guarantee Israel won't strike Gaza
00:08 Syria's Assad calls for 'positive' dialogue with U.S.
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