Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., September 30, 2009 Tishrei 12, 5770 | | Israel Time: 22:33 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Real Estate Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 19:15 17/09/2009
Disgrace in The Hague
By Gideon Levy
Tags: Gaza, Richard Goldstone, UN 

There's a name on every bullet, and there's someone responsible for every crime. The Teflon cloak Israel has wrapped around itself since Operation Cast Lead has been ripped off, once and for all, and now the difficult questions must be faced. It has become superfluous to ask whether war crimes were committed in Gaza, because authoritative and clear-cut answers have already been given. So the follow-up question has to be addressed: Who's to blame? If war crimes were committed in Gaza, it follows that there are war criminals at large among us. They must be held accountable and punished. This is the harsh conclusion to be drawn from the detailed United Nations report.

For almost a year, Israel has been trying to argue that the blood spilled in Gaza was merely water. One report followed the other, with horrifyingly identical results: siege, white phosphorous, harm of innocent civilians, infrastructure destroyed - war crimes in each and every report. Now, after the publication of the most important and damning report of all, compiled by the commission led by Judge Richard Goldstone, Israel's attempts to discredit them look ludicrous, and the empty bluster of its spokespersons sound pathetic.

So far they have focused on the messengers, not their messages: the researcher for Human Rights Watch collects Nazi memorabilia, Breaking the Silence is a business and Amnesty International is anti-Semitic. All cheap propaganda. This time, though, the messenger is propaganda-proof. No one can seriously claim that Goldstone, an active and ardent Zionist, with deep links to Israel, is an anti-Semite. It would be ridiculous.
Advertisement
Although there were some propagandists who actually tried to use the anti-Semitism weapon against him, even they knew this was farcical. One had to hear the moving interview that Goldstone's daughter Nicole gave to Razi Barkai on Army Radio Wednesday, to understand that he is in fact a lover of Israel and its true friend. She spoke, in Hebrew, of the mental anguish her father experienced and of his conviction that, had he not been there, the report would have been much worse. All he wants is an Israel that is more just, she explained.

Neither can anyone doubt his legal credentials, as a top-level international jurist with an impeccable reputation. The man who found out the truth about Rwanda and Yugoslavia has now done the same regarding Gaza. The former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague is not only a legal authority, he is also a moral authority; therefore complaints about the judge won't hold water. Instead, it is time to look closer at the accused. Those responsible are first and foremost Ehud Olmert, Ehud Barak and Gabi Ashkenazi. So far, incredibly, none of them has paid any price for their misdeeds.

Cast Lead was an unrestrained assault on a besieged, totally unprotected civilian population which showed almost no signs of resistance during this operation. It should have raised an immediate furor in Israel. It was a Sabra and Chatila, this time carried out by us. But there was a storm of protest in this country following Sabra and Chatila, whereas after Cast Lead mere citations were dished out.

It should have been enough just to look at the horrendous disparity in casualties - 100 Palestinians killed for every Israeli - to shake the whole of Israeli society. There was no need to wait for Goldstone to understand that a terrible thing had occurred between the Palestinian David and the Israeli Goliath. But the Israelis preferred to look away, or stand with their children on the hills around Gaza and cheer on the carnage-causing bombs.

Under the cover of the committed media, and criminally-biased analysts and experts - all of whom kept information from coming out - and with brainwashed and complacent public opinion, Israel behaved as if nothing had happened. Goldstone has put an end to that, for which we should thank him. After his job is done, the obvious practical steps will be taken.

It would be better for Israel to summon up the courage to change course while there is still time, investigating the matter genuinely and not by means of the Israel Defense Forces' grotesque inquiries, without waiting for Goldstone. Olmert and Tzipi Livni must be brought to pay for their scandalous decision not to cooperate with Goldstone, although at this point that is spilled milk. Now that the report is on its way to the ICC and arrest warrants could soon be issued, all that remains to be done is to immediately set up a state inquiry commission in order to avert disgrace in The Hague.

Perhaps next time we set out to wage another vain and miserable war, we will take into account not only the number of fatalities we are likely to sustain, but also the heavy political damage such wars cause.

On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Israel, deservedly, is becoming an outcast and detested country. We must not forget it for a minute.

Related articles:
  • Goldstone: Punish commanders who broke laws in Gaza
  • In both Gaza and Sderot, 'war crimes' probe disappoints
  • UN must hold Obama to same standard as Israel
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    New Shalit video
    Hamas: Video to be released Friday will prove that Gilad Shalit is alive and well.
    Tarantino dating Israeli
    Renowned director filmed at movie premiere escorted by Israeli singer Daniella Pik.
      1.   The glodstone report 16:28  |  A.M. 17/09/09
      2.   Civilians have human rights 17:10  |  Anonymous 17/09/09
      3.   Thank you Gideon 17:16  |  Stewart Mills 17/09/09
      4.   alternatives 17:16  |  jk 17/09/09
      5.   War Crimes and the Hague 17:29  |  Anonymous 17/09/09
      6.   We salute your courage and honesty 19:10  |  UK readers 17/09/09
      7.   double standards 19:32  |  ronnie 17/09/09
      8.   Thank You! 19:33  |  B 17/09/09
      9.   Goldstone is Heroic 19:46  |  Vladek 17/09/09
      10.   Bravo, Gideon 19:55  |  Boyd 17/09/09
      11.   report 19:58  |  Harry 17/09/09
      12.   Quite right Harry! 22:25  |  lily 17/09/09
      13.   Moral Bankrupcy 22:27  |  Steve of Mevaserret 17/09/09
      14.   Spot on, Mr Levy 22:31  |  Disgusted in EU 17/09/09
      15.   Fantastic Article 22:46  |  Guy 17/09/09
      16.   Haarets isn`t what it used to be 22:47  |  OffFromHaaretz 17/09/09
      17.   There are no civilians in Gaze 22:48  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 17/09/09
      18.   Gideon is not heroic 22:49  |  Vladimir 17/09/09
      19.   Light Unto The Gentiles?!? 22:49  |  Yaakov Sullivan 17/09/09
      20.   Not anti-semite, self hating Jews 22:52  |  Moshe 17/09/09
      21.   No one can call Goldstone an antisemite? 22:54  |  Colin Wright 17/09/09
      22.   If there is a real investigation, it will be an exercise in hypoc 22:57  |  Colin Wright 17/09/09
      23.   Disgrace in the Hague 23:05  |  Lawrence Maushard 17/09/09
      24.   Harry - Report Charges Hamas War Crimes 23:08  |  Mark of Lewiston 17/09/09
      25.   G. Levy, Goldstone 23:12  |  lotte Wagner 17/09/09
      26.   #11 - harry; go read the Report 23:13  |  Ice 17/09/09
      27.   #16 Mark Klien I agree but, You forgot something... 23:14  |  Big Sur 17/09/09
      28.   Goldstone, Torah Jew - adhers to tzdek, tzedek tirdof 23:41  |  David 17/09/09
      29.   Self hating Jew 23:43  |  Sid 17/09/09
      30.   Thank you Gordon 02:10  |  one 18/09/09
      31.   Gideon Levy 02:13  |  jeffr 18/09/09
      32.   This is a Thoughtful Editorial 02:41  |  Les Lyshkov 18/09/09
      33.   Very Moral Article 02:41  |  Inna 18/09/09
      34.   ...is becoming a detested country. Thank for helping 02:44  |  abrahamico 18/09/09
      35.   #Vladimir. Let`s clear something up. 03:27  |  Maureen Ann 18/09/09
      36.   Steve of Mevaserret, even more moral bankruptcy 03:49  |  Palestinian Prince 18/09/09
      37.   #17 Mark Klein, there is a name for that argument 04:25  |  Johnboy 18/09/09
      38.   gOLDSTONE AND LEVY 04:36  |  sechel 18/09/09
      39.   WHERE was Goldstone 10,000 Qassams ago?Why has he chosen to 05:47  |  PETER SM 18/09/09
      40.   Blood Was Merely Water 07:00  |  Walid 18/09/09
      41.   Brilliant 07:03  |  A Finn 18/09/09
      42.   Great Article 07:11  |  Ahmad Wehbe 18/09/09
      43.   Sechel is just what there isn`t 07:35  |  sh 18/09/09
      44.   When All Else Fails blame the Messenger 07:44  |  Bill 18/09/09
      45.   Palestinians committed war crimes: here`s the proof 07:52  |  Joe Sittizen 18/09/09
      46.   This sentence shows the report for what it is 08:13  |  Jacob Blues 18/09/09
      47.   "self-hating Jew" = badge of honour 08:22  |  Hannah 18/09/09
      48.   mr levy, how unfortunate the israeli leadership is devoid (3rd tr 08:22  |  eric 18/09/09
      49.   The Goldstone report is a bail out for Israel 08:56  |  Rafi Kahan 18/09/09
      50.   Diplomacy? Oh, what perfidy! 09:11  |  sh 18/09/09
      51.   Re to # 36 Palestinian Prince! 12:04  |  Michael Dar 18/09/09
      52.   Goldstone another capo. in fact capo d` capo. 16:06  |  Petra 18/09/09
      53.   Thanks, Gideon Levy,.... 16:52  |  Ben Alofs 18/09/09
      54.   Sorry Shuli, perhaps I should have been more clear 19:53  |  Jacob Blues 18/09/09
      55.   Mr. Levi the sheep 2ND try 20:51  |  Good 18/09/09
      56.   Walid _ Salamtak. You Say: "If Israelis can overcome that master 21:36  |  Eli 18/09/09
      57.   Unfair choise of subjects most of the time 21:49  |  manugw 18/09/09
      58.   Judge Goldstone`s bravery 21:49  |  bill darbyshire 18/09/09
      59.   Gideon Levy 21:56  |  bill darbyshire 18/09/09
      60.   Palestinian Prince #36 22:08  |  Steve of Mevaserret 18/09/09
      61.   Israel will do what it must to survive and protect 02:31  |  Josiah J. Ben David 19/09/09
      62.   Goldstone the Saint 07:36  |  ron 19/09/09
      63.   Goldstone the Saint 07:46  |  ron 19/09/09
      64.   Bush, Blair and Howard 08:30  |  Marilyn 19/09/09
      65.   So Ron and Peter in Melbourne 08:32  |  Marilyn 19/09/09
      66.   I wish a man with Gideon` conscience represented Israel today 14:02  |  Dutch 19/09/09
      67.   64 Yes, Americans are ready to have them all dock at The Hague 14:36  |  Dutch 19/09/09
      68.   45 Joe Sittizen, Your proof makes me LOL 14:40  |  Dutch 19/09/09
      69.   ron, what are you about 10 years-old? 22:07  |  BBSNews 19/09/09
      70.   Gideon-U Clearly Did Not Read The Report? 00:33  |  Stan 20/09/09
      71.   Stan, it ought to terrify you that Goldstone does endorse it... 01:58  |  BBSNews 20/09/09
      72.   Disgrace in the Hague 15:03  |  Farah Munayyer 20/09/09
      73.   `Your partnership will save lives` 17:35  |  michael mazur 20/09/09
      74.   War criminals in Israel 18:20  |  Steve 20/09/09
      75.   Cast Lead fatalities 18:28  |  Steve 20/09/09
      76.   Disgrace in the Hague...really? 18:30  |  Jim in GA 20/09/09
      77.   #76 Rather understates the argument, Jim 02:58  |  Johnboy 21/09/09
      78.   Right on Spot 03:29  |  Nina 21/09/09
      79.   Disgrace in the Hague 05:02  |  Bernard SAckaroff 21/09/09
      80.   Good Gideon 05:17  |  CaptainZen 21/09/09
      81.   Bomb the children 05:23  |  Stephan Larose 21/09/09
      82.   Pipebombs i.e. Qassams 06:14  |  George 21/09/09
      83.   Disgrace is you can`t see the full truth 09:29  |  J. Dinsmore 21/09/09
      84.   The whole world hates Israel? 10:21  |  peet 21/09/09
      85.   You must understand... 10:30  |  Ethan Quern 21/09/09
      86.   Disgrace in the Hague 10:32  |  J. Davies 21/09/09
      87.   To Steve of Mevaserret 13:28  |  Francis of Brussels 21/09/09
      88.   Where was Judge Goldstone when Gaza was bombarding Israel ? 13:00  |  Paul 22/09/09
      89.   Golstone report 16:01  |  maggy 23/09/09
      90.   disgrace in the hague 20:56  |  shula michelson 30/09/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Holiday Greetings from the Heart
    LIBI-Caring for Israeli Soldiers
    JGooders Special Rosh Hashanah Gift Cards
    Send Gift Cards to you Friends and Family and Taste the Sweetness of Giving
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Amazing Jewelry
    Visit SoKoBe.com for the best priced fine jewelry in the world
    More Headlines
    21:59 Goldstone: Israel intentionally targeted Gaza civilian sites
    17:05 Shalit family: Happy about Gilad video, but won't rest until he's home
    17:07 Hamas: Video will prove Gilad Shalit alive and well
    20:05 Fatah to Abbas: no talks without settlement freeze
    20:46 Teens call for murder of Tel Aviv Mayor on Facebook
    20:43 Three Israelis in tsunami-struck Samoa: We are not hurt
    19:26 WATCH: Quentin Tarantino takes Israeli celebrity to L.A. premiere
    22:03 TV ROUND-UP: U.K. Palestinians seek Barak arrest, Goldstone submits report
    16:02 Who are the Palestinian prisoners to be freed for Shalit video?
    15:08 IDF jeep hits, kills Palestinian teen in West Bank
    11:14 Saudi Arabia denies it offered Israeli jets flight path to Iran
    02:57 MI: IDF needs new ethics code for war on terror
    04:29 ANALYSIS / Is there 'smoking gun' proof of Iran bid for nukes?
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved