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Last update - 15:52 16/09/2009
In wake of UN Gaza probe, how can Israel go to war again?
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Goldstone Gaza report 

The United Nations fact-finding mission into the Gaza offensive describes Israel as perpetrating war crimes - a police state which persecutes minorities - and tars the Palestinian leadership in the Gaza Strip and West Bank with similar accusations.

If its findings and recommendations are accepted, the International Criminal Court in The Hague could call a summit meeting between the leaders of Israel, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority on the defendants' stand.

But the ultimate adjudicator on the report's fate will be Barack Obama, who now has another whip with which to flay Benjamin Netanyahu - if you don't freeze the settlements and agree to concessions, legal proceedings will commence against those responsible for Operation Cast Lead.
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It's doubtful that Obama wishes to make such a threat, which would set a precedent against other militaries fighting terror in civilian areas, as is the U.S. army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The report brings up a number of findings. First, then-prime minister Ariel Sharon erred in 2005 in not seeing the Gaza disengagement to its conclusion by asking the international community for recognition that the occupation of Gaza had ended. A significant portion of the crimes for which Israel is now blamed stemmed from its humanitarian responsibility for the residents of the Strip.

Second, Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak (prime and defense ministers respectively during Cast Lead) erred in ignoring the Gazan population's suffering, and in allowing the death and destruction the IDF perpetrated during the Gaza campaign.

Lengthening the operation and choosing to send in ground forces - decisions which won widespread support among the Israeli public - wrought untold damage to Israel's international image, and bolstered the legitimacy of Hamas.

Third, Western governments may ignore this damning report, but it will now serve as the basis of criticism against Israel in public opinion, the media, on campuses and in think tanks, places where UN documents are still taken seriously.

Fourth, Israel decided to question the investigators' legitimacy and not cooperate with commission chair Richard Goldstone and his team. None of the defenses heard in Israeli media after the Gaza operation - that the IDF is "the most moral army in the world," that striking civilian-populated areas was necessary and proportional - were reported to the commission. To a university student in Britain or Spain, Israel's silence is perceived as an admission of guilt.

The appearance of Israeli "private citizens" before the panel proved its usefulness: Noam Shalit testified, and then Goldstone called for the release and return of his son.

Maybe it would have been better if the government had behaved as Shalit did, flooding Goldstone with information?

Last, and perhaps most important, the Goldstone report reinforces the most serious strategic threat Israel brought upon itself with the Gaza offensive, in that it saps international legitimacy for a similar operation in the future.

A country considering attacking the nuclear reactor in Iran, and then endangering itself to rocket fire from Lebanon and Gaza in response, will have to take into account whether the world will give Israel another opportunity for a severe, crushing response.


Related articles:
  • Israel readies for diplomatic war over 'biased' UN Gaza report
  • Amir Oren / Hypocrisy and war
  • UN probe: Israel, Palestinians both guilty of Gaza war crimes
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      1.   The next war will be a war.... 02:31  |  Jeff 16/09/09
      2.   Israel silence is percieved as guilt 02:34  |  Chris Linthwaite 16/09/09
      3.   UN-Fair 02:46  |  BSA 16/09/09
      4.   The settlements are illegal anyway 02:51  |  Fritz 16/09/09
      5.   If attacked, Israel MUST go to war again 02:57  |  Rob 16/09/09
      6.   Oh really? How u want to know. This time a real war with no 03:11  |  Charlotte Baker 16/09/09
      7.   Aluf Benn - "To a university student in Britain or Spain" 03:20  |  Fish 16/09/09
      8.   Gaza probe 03:24  |  Rigoletto 16/09/09
      9.   It will. Once a seemingly unbelievable precedent is set 03:26  |  Vinson 16/09/09
      10.   it is not up to outsiders to decide what is legitimate or not 03:34  |  Joey 16/09/09
      11.   Rules of engagement? 03:36  |  John 16/09/09
      12.   Wake Up and Smeel the Roses 03:38  |  Irv 16/09/09
      13.   Gaza Probe 03:53  |  Jasper 16/09/09
      14.   How can Israel go to war again? 03:54  |  John Galt 16/09/09
      15.   turn the question around 04:01  |  harzion 16/09/09
      16.   Dont believe it or doesent matter. 04:13  |  Jan D. 16/09/09
      17.   The ICC Has No Jurisdiction Over Israel Or Most Arab States 04:23  |  Jeff Northridge 16/09/09
      18.   UN wants to prevent preemptive attack on Iran 04:29  |  Yonah 16/09/09
      19.   responsibility and occupation 04:44  |  Frances Patterson 16/09/09
      20.   Chris, The silence is because every thinking person knows the 04:44  |  kss 16/09/09
      21.   rob 4 04:49  |  potobac 16/09/09
      22.   It is always the same story 04:52  |  Alex Levy 16/09/09
      23.   Of course Israel, Arabs got blamed 04:53  |  Ricky 16/09/09
      24.   Why should Israel care? 05:01  |  Steve 16/09/09
      25.   Sorry - there is something immoral in Hamas, all can see it 05:03  |  soeasytomakefriends 16/09/09
      26.   Blood Libels 05:12  |  Chaim 16/09/09
      27.   The Usual Double-Standard - Do As I Say Not As I Do 05:14  |  massaraksh 16/09/09
      28.   Not how. MUST go to war again to destroy final terror threats! 05:16  |  Desmond Roxley 16/09/09
      29.   harzion, I suggest you read the full report... 05:19  |  BBSNews 16/09/09
      30.   Jasper claims Britain and Spain "not enlightened..." 05:22  |  BBSNews 16/09/09
      31.   2000 years and still going strong 05:31  |  alan the real one 16/09/09
      32.   What`s amazing is that Israel`s Left and Right supports the 05:55  |  Jacob Blues 16/09/09
      33.   # 10 05:56  |  Janet 16/09/09
      34.   The operative Question to ask is, if this is the report put out 05:57  |  Jacob Blues 16/09/09
      35.   Israelis will never learn 05:58  |  Jim 16/09/09
      36.   No rockets for months, but starvation continued 06:01  |  Marilyn 16/09/09
      37.   if the arabs persist in attacking then Israel goes to war..period 06:01  |  Mark 16/09/09
      38.   How long can you guys go without solving Palestine issue 06:13  |  Adam Rahman 16/09/09
      39.   Accountability 06:14  |  Haaretz Fan 16/09/09
      40.   Every Terrorist Strike On Israel Is A Solid Click On IDF.EXE 06:20  |  Lavi 16/09/09
      41.   UN report has NO credibility 06:27  |  US CITIZEN 16/09/09
      42.   Some motherly advice for Mr Benn 06:45  |  Morris Valentine 16/09/09
      43.   Stupid question- time for Israel to look inward and not outward 06:57  |  David 16/09/09
      44.   More to the point 08:35  |  Edifice 16/09/09
      45.   Israel - The Pasifist State 08:53  |  Ikabod 16/09/09
      46.   Why would Netanyahu Care? 08:53  |  Mark of Lewiston 16/09/09
      47.   Gaza probe, how can Israel go to war again 08:57  |  DT 16/09/09
      48.   and the answer is: 09:01  |  peter rouget 16/09/09
      49.   Have we forgotten the meaning of war? 09:02  |  Janus 16/09/09
      50.   Israel must eternally protect it`s right to exist 09:03  |  Gary 16/09/09
      51.   Its a good thing, gives IDF clear right to ignore "world opinion" 09:10  |  Dr. L. Brnd 16/09/09
      52.   If Israel links its identity to land theft, it will forfeit peace 09:24  |  Ivar 16/09/09
      53.   Israel will have to go to war 09:31  |  MiddleStanian 16/09/09
      54.   Why should Israel want to go to war again? 09:59  |  sh 16/09/09
      55.   One thing is for sure: If the actions of the IDF have been..... 10:13  |  Swiss (Dino) 16/09/09
      56.   Cast Lead was fought by the IDF like cowards. 10:13  |  Michael 16/09/09
      57.   Israel as a ME power is now yesterdays news 10:33  |  Hillary Spencer 16/09/09
      58.   Where`s the probe of Sudan 10:40  |  hmpierson 16/09/09
      59.   The good old UN 10:44  |  Viewer 16/09/09
      60.   The hell with public opinion 11:12  |  Sima 16/09/09
      61.   Aluf Benn: "How can Israel go to war again...???" 11:24  |  Swiss (Dino) 16/09/09
      62.   22, the meaning of law 11:24  |  Fritz 16/09/09
      63.   It can go to war carefully, proportionately, legally. 11:35  |  Michael 16/09/09
      64.   "how can Israel go to war again" - Easily! a stupid question! 11:37  |  Jane 16/09/09
      65.   what i believe 11:38  |  harzion 16/09/09
      66.   of christine chinkin 11:41  |  harzion 16/09/09
      67.   irwin cotler the former canadian minister of justice 11:44  |  harzion 16/09/09
      68.   judge goldstone has been used 11:46  |  harzion 16/09/09
      69.   this gives obama a weapon 11:48  |  harzion 16/09/09
      70.   Question for Rob #4 12:05  |  Yitz 16/09/09
      71.   Report is very clear: Palestinian history of war crimes 12:06  |  Joe Sittizen 16/09/09
      72.   You are jesting of course. 12:19  |  khairi janbek 16/09/09
      73.   the question is, how can any country go to war again under - 12:34  |  ivo 16/09/09
      74.   This was genocide against occupied civilians not war! 13:27  |  David 16/09/09
      75.   An answer, Mr Benn 13:31  |  TonyL 16/09/09
      76.   Congratulations to the UN! 13:46  |  Murray of Montreal 16/09/09
      77.   Enemies of israel would love to see her defenseless 13:50  |  Avi 16/09/09
      78.   How can Israel go to war again ? 13:56  |  DT 16/09/09
      79.   It will be easy 13:56  |  Mark Lincoln 16/09/09
      80.   how? 14:01  |  Yaron 16/09/09
      81.   bbsn 14:09  |  shimi 16/09/09
      82.   popularity 14:22  |  doubter 16/09/09
      83.   I think MK Kara has said it all.. 14:24  |  Abecassis 16/09/09
      84.   nicole goldstone`s daughter of the judge 15:05  |  ivri 16/09/09
      85.   How can Israel go to war again? 15:15  |  JordanisPalestine 16/09/09
      86.   Dear Fritz #4 15:18  |  JordanisPalestine 16/09/09
      87.   Israel must be tougher with US 15:20  |  iDub 16/09/09
      88.   Dear David #74 15:25  |  JordanisPalestine 16/09/09
      89.   You don`t fight for UN reports 15:25  |  Gene 16/09/09
      90.   Has anyone besides me ever noticed 16:12  |  JordanisPalestine 16/09/09
      91.   Michael: carefully, proportionately, legally 16:18  |  Jasper 16/09/09
      92.   Israel is not silent . 16:19  |  TOMY 16/09/09
      93.   How Can Israel End Up In The Hague? 16:23  |  Eli 16/09/09
      94.   #42 Morris Valentine, there still is a problem with your advice 16:26  |  Mark B. 16/09/09
      95.   The Left in Israel has a part in this fiasco 16:27  |  Gilad 16/09/09
      96.   Francis, of TO, Remind Me Again Why? 16:29  |  Eli 16/09/09
      97.   #54 sh your post says it all 16:31  |  Smadar 16/09/09
      98.   to iDub #87 - very true 16:38  |  zeev 16/09/09
      99.   Learn From The Report - Educate IDF - Let The Press In Next Time 16:39  |  Ed 16/09/09
      100.   Were the second Lebanon war and Gaza necessary 16:47  |  Anonymous 16/09/09
      101.   :: Jacob Blues 16:49  |  Matty Groves 16/09/09
      102.   Jim, would America go to war... 17:17  |  Tzfonit 16/09/09
      103.   #21 potobac - Israel MUST do anything it can 17:22  |  Malach HaMavet 16/09/09
      104.   #36 Marilyn - Whre you been? 17:28  |  *BEN JABO 16/09/09
      105.   Fair is fair - Try US first 17:28  |  Adam 16/09/09
      106.   #97 Smadar and #54 sh, thanks for thoughtful posts 17:37  |  Ben Alofs 16/09/09
      107.   # 51 Dr. Brnd Hear Hear! Excellent post. 17:37  |  Petra 16/09/09
      108.   91 Jasper. Lebanon 2, Cast Lead did terrrorists` job for them. 17:43  |  Michael 16/09/09
      109.   To # 87 idub - Are you serious? 17:44  |  Sam 16/09/09
      110.   # 17 Jeff Northridge Quite right! 17:44  |  Petra 16/09/09
      111.   This is bad, very bad... 17:53  |  Victor 16/09/09
      112.   Eli # 93 It`s The ICC And Not The ICJ 18:01  |  Jeff Northridge 16/09/09
      113.   Israel Excesses Threaten Peace 18:01  |  Vladek 16/09/09
      114.   #93 Eli 18:05  |  BDS 16/09/09
      115.   International law as it applies to this situation 18:48  |  Fair 16/09/09
      116.   The lesson to Israeli politicians 18:07  |  Gene 16/09/09
      117.   Wrong Jim and Aluf.Israel will save this planet from the caliphat 18:30  |  ks 16/09/09
      118.   Michael 104 and 56 18:32  |  Jasper 16/09/09
      119.   Swiss (Dino) - you are again distorting rality 18:41  |  David Israel 16/09/09
      120.   How can Israel now go to war? 18:52  |  JW 16/09/09
      121.   I knew it. Just what Hamas wanted. 18:54  |  H 16/09/09
      122.   Swiss (Dino) - you are again distorting reality 19:05  |  David Israel 16/09/09
      123.   Jasper 114. Yes, you are wrong. 19:07  |  Michael 16/09/09
      124.   Jeff Northridge - Thank you for your corrections as always and 19:12  |  Eli 16/09/09
      125.   Well spoken David 19:14  |  r cummings 16/09/09
      126.   a report that ignores Hamas war crimes 19:14  |  Paul Freedman 16/09/09
      127.   When you are fighting for survival 19:27  |  Lloyd 16/09/09
      128.   Finish wars before stopping them 19:34  |  RfaelMoshe 16/09/09
      129.   Richard Goldstone the zionist 19:45  |  Roo 16/09/09
      130.   Swiss (Dino) - you are again distorting reality 19:52  |  David Israel 16/09/09
      131.   Israel`s defense vis-a-vis UN Gaza probe 19:52  |  Saul Balagura 16/09/09
      132.   Paul Freedman, you prove you have not read the report... 19:57  |  BBSNews 16/09/09
      133.   Goldstone report makes clear, Gaza is still occupied... 20:01  |  BBSNews 16/09/09
      134.   Umm Schmoom 20:12  |  Ussishkin 16/09/09
      135.   #30 BBs News "all the news that never fits" 20:23  |  Big Sur 16/09/09
      136.   Ethnic cleansing and war 20:55  |  An American 16/09/09
      137.   to Big Sur #131 20:57  |  zeev 16/09/09
      138.   #125 Roo where is that a fact Goldstone slept during Sderotfproo 21:14  |  Big Sur 16/09/09
      139.   Big Sur`s absurd comparison 21:30  |  Hmmm 16/09/09
      140.   To all of your posts that say Goldstone was fair 21:42  |  Big Sur 16/09/09
      141.   UN Gaza Probe 21:54  |  Lazarus 16/09/09
      142.   #133 isn`t that as obserd as runnung off to Afghanistan for 9/11 22:01  |  Big Sur 16/09/09
      143.   Smadar #97 22:03  |  sh 16/09/09
      144.   MARYLIN Please send links to photos of starving Gazans 22:17  |  PETER SM 16/09/09
      145.   Aluf Ben, answer 22:27  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 16/09/09
      146.   Aluf Benn.How... 22:29  |  The Teacher/instruct 16/09/09
      147.   #133 bbs - the STORY of a crash DUMMY 04:52  |  CK Tan 17/09/09
      148.   Israel can`t go to war again? 04:56  |  Kelly 17/09/09
      149.   Israel and Goldstone 04:57  |  norman a blumberg 17/09/09
      150.   the alternative is to march to the ovens as many would want 05:16  |  bernard ross 17/09/09
      151.   145- Cipora Julianna Kohn : 10:39  |  Akram Zekaria 17/09/09
      152.   Yes, I agree Israel has squandered its credibility... 11:22  |  Dutch 17/09/09
      153.   TO Chaim #26 07:15  |  Steve Beikirch 20/09/09
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