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UN investigator Richard Goldstone.
 (Reuters)
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Last update - 21:45 29/09/2009
U.S. to Israel: Probe alleged Gaza war crimes to advance peace
By News Agencies
Tags: UN, Gaza, Israel News 

The United States called on its close ally Israel on Tuesday to conduct credible investigations into allegations of war crimes committed by its forces in Gaza, saying it would help the Middle East peace process.

Click here for more on the Goldstone report on Gaza

Michael Posner, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, said that Hamas leaders also had a responsibility to investigate crimes and to end what he called its targeting of civilians and use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in the strip.
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The UN Human Rights Council was holding a one-day debate on a recent report by Richard Goldstone, a South African jurist and former U.N. war crimes prosecutor.

His panel found the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militants committed war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during their December-January war. Israel did not cooperate with the UN inquiry and has rejected the report as biased.

"We encourage Israel to utilize appropriate domestic [judicial] review and meaningful accountability mechanisms to investigate and follow-up on credible allegations," Posner said in a speech to the Geneva forum.

"If undertaken properly and fairly, these reviews can serve as important confidence-building measures that will support the larger essential objective which is a shared quest for justice and lasting peace," he said.

The United States joined the Council, set up three years ago, for the first time earlier this year.

Posner reiterated Washington's view that the Council paid "grossly disproportionate attention" to Israel, but said that the U.S. delegation was ready to engage in balanced debate.

Goldstone: Impunity for war crimes impedes Mideast peace

Goldstone told a news conference on Tuesday it was encouraging that the
United States "has called for acceptable investigations of the allegations by both sides. I think that's important support."

Earlier, he said a lack of accountability for war crimes committed in the Middle East had reached "crisis point", undermining any hope for peace in the region.

"A culture of impunity in the region has existed for too long," Goldstone, a former UN war crimes prosecutor, told the UN Human Rights Council.


"The lack of accountability for war crimes and possible war crimes against humanity has reached a crisis point; the ongoing lack of justice is undermining any hope for a successful peace process and reinforcing an environment that fosters violence."

Goldstone also called on Israel and Hamas to conduct open and credible investigations into atrocities during the December-January conflict in the coastal strip.

Israel's stated goal in the 3-week campaign was the cessation of cross-border rocket attacks by Gaza militants, which had plagued the country's south for eight years.

Israel says 1,166 Palestinians were killed in the offensive, the majority of whom were militants. Human rights groups say, however, that approximately 1,400 Palestinians were killed, mostly civilians. Thirteen Israelis were killed during the fighting: ten soldiers and three civilians.

Goldstone urged the 47-member state forum to adopt his panel's recent report which found that the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militants committed war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during the hostilities. Adoption of the report would mean it is referred to the UN Security Council for further action.

The jurist acknowledged that the four-member panel had been hit with a "barrage of criticism" on its findings, but said the investigation had not been politically motivated.

"We believe deeply in the rule of law, humanitarian law, human rights and the principle that in armed conflict civilians should to the greatest extent possible be protected from harm, he told the UN body.

He added that it was important not to ascribe collective guilt to a people. "People of the region should not be demonized," Goldstone said.

Israeli and Palestinian delegations are due to address the Geneva forum, which is holding an all-day debate on the report before considering resolutions on the issue later this week.



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      1.   Now What!!!! 12:37  |  MiddleStanian 29/09/09
      2.   The very fact that Goldstone talks about peace, for which he has 12:53  |  Eitan 29/09/09
      3.   Apartheid judge 12:57  |  fanie 29/09/09
      4.   Right Claim - Wrong Accused 13:04  |  Tomer 29/09/09
      5.   Show us any war that didn`t have similar tragedies 13:10  |  judith 29/09/09
      6.   It is Goldstone`s bias that impedes peace 13:11  |  robins 29/09/09
      7.   Goldstone 13:11  |  fredyr 29/09/09
      8.   Kapo of 21st centuryGoldstone is not interested in Arab liability 13:12  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      9.   hit the nail on its head, the sooner Israel is charged the better 13:13  |  ezra 29/09/09
      10.   now lets all cry anti semitism 13:14  |  SJ 29/09/09
      11.   He cannot understand that nearly everyone in Gaza is a terrorist 13:16  |  Dan 29/09/09
      12.   UN or JN (Jungle Nations) 13:23  |  sam hudson 29/09/09
      13.   goldstone you have failed 13:24  |  harzion 29/09/09
      14.   Goldstone`s right, which is why he`ll be viciously attacked. 13:33  |  Michael 29/09/09
      15.   EZRA Which part of"does not pretend to reach standard of proof"- 13:35  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      16.   Israel was first "found guilty" and only then was Goldstone was 13:40  |  Eitan 29/09/09
      17.   Goldstone should be institutionalized ASAP! Better shipped to 13:41  |  Genuine Moshe 29/09/09
      18.   Judge Goldstone..His jewishness did not 13:41  |  Ram 29/09/09
      19.   But terrorists are civilians 13:43  |  David Plane 29/09/09
      20.   Now Goldstone is an expert on ME peace 13:43  |  AKUS 29/09/09
      21.   Goldstoe is right---cuff these criminals and drag them 13:44  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      22.   Is the world getting more moral? 13:47  |  Mikael 29/09/09
      23.   Goldstrone`s mission 13:48  |  Gene 29/09/09
      24.   Goldstone is a JEW 13:48  |  Mark Turner 29/09/09
      25.   Eitan you sound just like a street thug claiming 13:54  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      26.   to Ram why Jewishness would interfere 14:00  |  CM 29/09/09
      27.   An honest man 14:00  |  WHG 29/09/09
      28.   #15 psm---Israel is guilty by default. 14:00  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      29.   to Sam Hudson do you plan to try Hamas? 14:05  |  CM 29/09/09
      30.   LABRAHAS normal judges do not announce verdict then investigate 14:12  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      31.   Break the Silence 14:15  |  Richard 29/09/09
      32.   TURNER Kappos were also Jews. 14:17  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      33.   Oh, my goodness, Goldstone is really getting under the skin..... 14:19  |  Swiss (Dino) 29/09/09
      34.   #29 CM 14:20  |  sam hudson 29/09/09
      35.   Eitan 14:24  |  flo 29/09/09
      36.   Oh well, thank you Obama 14:25  |  Paul Freedman 29/09/09
      37.   Oh well, thank you Obama 14:25  |  Paul Freedman 29/09/09
      38.   Every people has its share of traitors, and so is the Jewish 14:25  |  ET 29/09/09
      39.   Us to israel 14:26  |  proud american 29/09/09
      40.   For pete`s sake, get real Tomer 14:27  |  Marilyn 29/09/09
      41.   POSNER 14:29  |  fred 29/09/09
      42.   War crimes 14:31  |  John 29/09/09
      43.   Goldstone is one more reason to... 14:36  |  Heather Czerniak 29/09/09
      44.   Two standards for two people 14:40  |  Jasper 29/09/09
      45.   #30 psm you declined the "normal" niceties 14:44  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      46.   Why not? The matter should be investigated: 14:44  |  17 29/09/09
      47.   Goldstone`s Understands Mideast Like a Westerner 14:46  |  david 29/09/09
      48.   Richard, that is all in the report did you read it 14:47  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      49.   Goldstone thinks Israel is South Africa 14:49  |  Martha 29/09/09
      50.   to Sam Hudson # 39 I am with you 14:50  |  CM 29/09/09
      51.   To 15 Ezra - When Israelis and Jews like you stop preaching 14:52  |  David 29/09/09
      52.   IDF & Hamas committed war crimes 14:55  |  Mick 29/09/09
      53.   Labhras the Irishman 14:56  |  Ishai 29/09/09
      54.   Goldstone Honest and Forthright 15:00  |  Vladek 29/09/09
      55.   #2 15:02  |  Harold 29/09/09
      56.   Ask Hamas to investigate itself?? Sudan too? Syria too? 15:03  |  S 29/09/09
      57.   Dont waste Israel`s time 15:03  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 29/09/09
      58.   US should proble 9/11 and Iraq war 15:05  |  Baruch Gold 29/09/09
      59.   Gaza Ordeal Ended before Obama`s Inaugaration 15:20  |  Stephen 29/09/09
      60.   Attacks 15:21  |  Jake 29/09/09
      61.   One question: If as the report says firing rockets 15:21  |  Joshua 29/09/09
      62.   Let`s not forget the others involved in this charade 15:25  |  Jacob Blues 29/09/09
      63.   Impunity ... 15:25  |  Akram Zekaria 29/09/09
      64.   Does anyone think that Hamas will conduct any semblance of a 15:26  |  Joshua 29/09/09
      65.   Prosecuting war crimes now will help to prevent them in future 15:27  |  Ben Alofs 29/09/09
      66.   #11, Dan, watch out for those killer babies... 15:28  |  Silvienne 29/09/09
      67.   The Hamas Charter Of Death & Destruction Is Carved in Gazan Stone 15:30  |  Lavi 29/09/09
      68.   There seems to be impunity even for killing UN workers. Why? 15:33  |  Tcherkessi 29/09/09
      69.   Goldstone`s, and everyone else`s naivity 15:51  |  J 29/09/09
      70.   Maybe US is Mistaken 15:51  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/09/09
      71.   You mean the US is not burying the Goldstone Report? 15:56  |  BBSNews 29/09/09
      72.   The UN has shot itself in the foot many times. The Goldstone... 16:11  |  Eitan 29/09/09
      73.   Earth to State Department 16:13  |  Paul Freedman 29/09/09
      74.   An honest investigation is out of the question 16:15  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      75.   LABRAHAS the only nicety recquired is natural justice 16:19  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      76.   Apartheid judge and USA together 16:21  |  Joshua 29/09/09
      77.   Incredible stupidity and hypocrisy 16:23  |  Shalom Freedman 29/09/09
      78.   Let Posner investigate Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan 16:25  |  IW 29/09/09
      79.   Goldstone...He told it as it is... 16:26  |  ali 29/09/09
      80.   Goldstone Report 16:36  |  Danny 29/09/09
      81.   #74, Danny... 17:00  |  Silvienne 29/09/09
      82.   BSNews believes the vanishing act must be immediate 17:01  |  SDHD 29/09/09
      83.   Investigations required 17:01  |  A TRUE American 29/09/09
      84.   War Crimes 17:03  |  Andrew Michaels 29/09/09
      85.   If you cant do the time... 17:06  |  r cummings 29/09/09
      86.   War crimes committed? The Jews say no. 17:09  |  Lou Medel 29/09/09
      87.   Earth to Paul Friedman and the Israelis 17:16  |  Dan 29/09/09
      88.   Ezra,Ezra,Ezra 17:18  |  Chaphari 29/09/09
      89.   Goldstone _ A Sactimonious Idiot 17:18  |  Eli 29/09/09
      90.   Goldstone: Only Arabs can kill civilians 17:19  |  Mark 29/09/09
      91.   To #8 Have some integrity ! 17:20  |  Brendan 29/09/09
      92.   Paul Freedman, what gobblety-gook you write... 17:24  |  BBSNews 29/09/09
      93.   Number #81 17:27  |  Danny 29/09/09
      94.   US to investigate GENOCIDE against indigenous Indians ? 17:32  |  Avraham 29/09/09
      95.   No more stalling - take Israel to the Hague 17:33  |  Dutch 29/09/09
      96.   The Goldstone Affair is one that says a lot about the UN and its 17:37  |  Eitan 29/09/09
      97.   Danny #80 17:40  |  American Jew 29/09/09
      98.   #39 is not American 17:42  |  Lucy 29/09/09
      99.   #53 Ishai---do you mean the Nazis that Irgun/Stern 17:48  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      100.   Joshua 64 17:49  |  cindy 29/09/09
      101.   Shalom Freedman is right 17:50  |  Lucy 29/09/09
      102.   David Plane, it`s in the report... 17:52  |  BBSNews 29/09/09
      103.   What does Israel have to hide? 18:21  |  Janice 29/09/09
      104.   #75 psm---the only natural justice for you is 18:23  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      105.   The only one to gain from this is Iran! 18:25  |  ben 29/09/09
      106.   Joke: IDF to investigate 18:28  |  Heinz 29/09/09
      107.   and the Arabs are saints...They do no wrong... The world has no 18:31  |  Ben 29/09/09
      108.   Goldstone is a Jew! 18:32  |  adrian christie 29/09/09
      109.   DO A CREDIBLE INVESTIGATION, 18:35  |  EL 29/09/09
      110.   OK Martha from Tel Aviv 18:36  |  John the American 29/09/09
      111.   Dan of London on Gaza and Goldstone 18:42  |  Yaakov Sullivan 29/09/09
      112.   24:Re: Ahhh yes 19:20  |  Toby 29/09/09
      113.   `Human shield` accusation absurd 19:27  |  Colin Wright 29/09/09
      114.   War Crimes 19:31  |  Damascus Buchanon 29/09/09
      115.   Ignore the US!!! Maybe we should then investigate whether ... 19:33  |  Edward 29/09/09
      116.   Eitan - only in Israel is peace controversial 19:38  |  Don Boston 29/09/09
      117.   Say Eitan in occupied Golan Heights 19:45  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      118.   Please do not forget 19:47  |  Janice 29/09/09
      119.   Gaza Massacre Turns off West/Israel Loses Victim Status 19:52  |  american saint 29/09/09
      120.   Paul Freedman - exhaustive 19:53  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      121.   War crimes 19:54  |  Rigoletto 29/09/09
      122.   Paul Freedman - Bogus? 19:55  |  Mark Lincoln 29/09/09
      123.   We should all be grateful for Goldstone report 19:55  |  A TRUE American 29/09/09
      124.   Israel vs Anti-Israel Report 20:01  |  Brod 29/09/09
      125.   And America , England , France , Russia ..... 20:04  |  TOMY 29/09/09
      126.   So Obama , tell me , how many Afgan and 20:14  |  TOMY 29/09/09
      127.   Hamas started the war and should be held fully responsible 20:15  |  tseddek 29/09/09
      128.   #21 Lahbras full of beans today huh 20:22  |  Big Sur 29/09/09
      129.   no clikfoll 20:23  |  yakub 29/09/09
      130.   let america investigate blackhawk down 20:38  |  harzion 29/09/09
      131.   with all the goodwill in the world towards america 20:41  |  harzion 29/09/09
      132.   a witch`s cavern of anti semites 20:46  |  harzion 29/09/09
      133.   goldstone whether you meant to or not 20:48  |  harzion 29/09/09
      134.   Read the fine print 20:59  |  Max 29/09/09
      135.   Earth to US----Israel is not interested in peace 21:07  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      136.   Mark Turner 21:08  |  Philippe 29/09/09
      137.   A pack of whiners led by harzion 21:15  |  Silvienne 29/09/09
      138.   To harzion... 21:19  |  Silvienne 29/09/09
      139.   Sage Advice 21:26  |  Yaakov Sullivan 29/09/09
      140.   #PeterSM "...only after Israel hit back." You are full of it! 21:31  |  Maureen Ann 29/09/09
      141.   Obama taking the side of terrorists 21:31  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/09/09
      142.   silvienne i only make observations 21:36  |  harzion 29/09/09
      143.   Goldstone the peacock 21:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/09/09
      144.   Goldstone is a good Jew and a true friend of Israel 21:42  |  cindy 29/09/09
      145.   what Goldstone said 21:43  |  Peter 29/09/09
      146.   #105, harzion, he most certainly meant it 21:45  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/09/09
      147.   The report is revenge for Israel`s snub of UNHRC probe 21:51  |  Jason 29/09/09
      148.   Mr Lahbras Try reading the teachings of Halluka 21:52  |  Big Sur 29/09/09
      149.   US to fox: Probe the dead chicken 21:59  |  Rod 29/09/09
      150.   U.S. to Israel: Come on, can`t you even pretend to care? 22:01  |  peacelover 29/09/09
      151.   #24 Mark Turner the Capos were Jewish too 22:06  |  Big Sur 29/09/09
      152.   Right after you America, then preach to Israel 22:13  |  Mark C 29/09/09
      153.   #94 Mark Lincoln and his occupational therapy 22:14  |  Big Sur 29/09/09
      154.   #109 Silvienne tell us please...you are only working here? 22:16  |  S 29/09/09
      155.   73 Paul Freedman - IDF Proved Itself 22:18  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/09/09
      156.   #42 John in Sydney 22:25  |  Big Sur 29/09/09
      157.   U.S. to Israel: Probe alleged Gaza war crimes 22:25  |  Hugh 29/09/09
      158.   #11 Dan 22:28  |  Hugh 29/09/09
      159.   ALOFS So why werent they prosecuting suicide bomber dispatchers 22:32  |  PETER SM 29/09/09
      160.   #13 Harzion 22:34  |  Hugh 29/09/09
      161.   Good for Goldstone 22:43  |  Keith T. 29/09/09
      162.   Labhras - Are the Arabs???? 22:50  |  Ben 29/09/09
      163.   cipora juliana kohn 23:11  |  harzion 29/09/09
      164.   ISRAELI WAR CRIMES 23:21  |  JH 29/09/09
      165.   #116 Big Sur---You offer me a book written by 23:38  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      166.   For a country that desperately depends on U.S. checks...... 23:39  |  Swiss (Dino) 29/09/09
      167.   #116 Who mentioned Katzim---cant you read 23:53  |  Labhras 29/09/09
      168.   psm where were you ---you were invited--see below 00:21  |  Labhras 30/09/09
      169.   Comments psm 00:27  |  Labhras 30/09/09
      170.   Goldstone talks the thrue 00:29  |  Ana 30/09/09
      171.   UN 00:41  |  Moshe 30/09/09
      172.   Rigoletto - Goldstone investigated Rwanda, Bosnia 00:44  |  Janice 30/09/09
      173.   The criminal Goldstone 00:44  |  Sarah 30/09/09
      174.   KEITH it was good for Goldstone,he got to prance the world stage 00:45  |  PETER SM 30/09/09
      175.   I think America has her own `accusations of prisoner abuse to 00:46  |  Petra McIntyre 30/09/09
      176.   Lets probe those "war crimes" as long as no stone is left unturne 00:59  |  jj 30/09/09
      177.   Senile or just not objective? 01:05  |  Silvia 30/09/09
      178.   war crimes 01:49  |  oz 30/09/09
      179.   anti-semitism 02:01  |  bob 30/09/09
      180.   Cipora, read the report... 02:08  |  BBSNews 30/09/09
      181.   Unlike Hamas, "credible" investigations have been ongoing 02:21  |  bernard ross 30/09/09
      182.   Keith T. 02:23  |  Jasper 30/09/09
      183.   Jeremiah and Goldstone 03:19  |  Jim 30/09/09
      184.   there you have it then; the big "BUT"... 03:47  |  eric 30/09/09
      185.   UN Goldstone Report 04:23  |  Jacqueline Letalien 30/09/09
      186.   Peter SM in Melbourne: Unfair 05:08  |  Jasper 30/09/09
      187.   Mark to US gov`t 05:13  |  Mark 30/09/09
      188.   John the American Dupe 05:20  |  Jasper 30/09/09
      189.   Lol@Comments - this wasn`t a war, it was a massacre 06:14  |  Marc Leb 30/09/09
      190.   Silvienne 06:35  |  Lola 30/09/09
      191.   it is quite ironic 06:56  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 30/09/09
      192.   Question to Michael in UK 07:47  |  utagawa 30/09/09
      193.   Genuine Moshe`s institutionalisation of Goldstone 08:28  |  Reality check 30/09/09
      194.   #142 Jacqueline Letalien - War is indeed a crime... 08:39  |  S 30/09/09
      195.   #144 utagawa---anytime you like--alltogether if you wish 09:00  |  Labhras 30/09/09
      196.   This a warning to allow only US forces to take on Iran 09:16  |  lily 30/09/09
      197.   to the US let`s probe Irak and afghan war crimes first 09:26  |  dovdevan 30/09/09
      198.   You killed over 400 Arab children in camps 09:44  |  Sarahgit 30/09/09
      199.   TO THOSE WHO WANT GAZA IIF 09:56  |  FOX 30/09/09
      200.   goldstone 10:23  |  Michelle 30/09/09
      201.   To Lola... 15:08  |  Silvienne 30/09/09
      202.   FOX - Yes, just who are the real mosters? 01:55  |  PADDY 01/10/09
      203.   # 191 i believe it was bush that nixed it, cipora 04:18  |  eric 01/10/09
      204.   #197 The hasbarah is so wonderfully schizoid, isn`t it? 11:04  |  Johnboy 01/10/09
      205.   Paddy, you prove my point, thanks 11:09  |  FOX 02/10/09
      206.   I would like to know who the American Mercenaries 18:22  |  Karoon/Rankoo 03/10/09
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