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Last update - 00:13 01/10/2009
Goldstone: Israel intentionally targeted Gaza civilian sites
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: UN, Gaza, Goldstone 

Richard Goldstone, who recently headed a United Nations commission investigating the events of Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip last winter, told CNN on Wednesday that Israel had intentionally targeted some civilian sites during the fighting, though he stressed that he did not believe it was an Israeli policy.

The report, which accuses both Israel and Hamas of war crimes, was formally presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

When asked whether he believed that Israel had targeted civilians, Goldstone said "Not as a policy. A fully fledged formal investigation will find that out. We didn?t get near being judicial."
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However, he also said that "some of the killing...was certainly intentional. There was no mistake in bombing factories. The Israeli intelligence has very precise information."

The former judge explained that "Israel has said that given the density of the population in gaza - they did the best they could to avoid civilians," but added that "we certainly looked into the fact that Hamas put their weapons near civilians. We looked for proof but didn't find it."

In response to news that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had suggested on Wednesday that he would establish an investigative commission to probe the report findings, Goldstone said "I would be delighted if Israel established a committee to investigate our allegations. That?s what we asked for - a transparent open investigation into our allegation I hope Hamas will also go for it."

Goldstone voiced satisfaction with the worldwide debate sparked by the report his team had compiled, saying "the report has opened a huge debate in Israel and internationally and I hope the report will have consequences in the future in the protection of innocent civilians."

Netanyahu: UN Gaza report spells death for peace

Earlier Wednesday, Netanyahu said that allowing the International Criminal Court in the Hague try the war crimes alleged in the report would deal a death blow to peace.

Speaking during a meeting with ambassadors from Asia and the Pacific islands, Netanyahu said that the Goldstone report and its conclusions could impede peace and make it difficult for democratic nations around the globe to fight terror.

Netanyahu explained to the ambassadors that the principle that a democratic nation has a legitimate right to respond to terror has been "crushed by a body belonging to the United Nations."

"This is a serious blow to the UN," he went on to say. "It [the UN] could revert back to the days when it compared Zionism to racism. It's starting in Israel, but it will reach other nations and it will hurt the UN."

"Anyone who supports the Goldstone report and its conclusions is in effect against peace," the prime minister continued, "since no country, and no people, would be willing to take risks for the sake of peace if their right to self defense was taken away."

"If the report reaches the international court in Hague, it will bring the peace process to a halt because Israel won't take the risks necessary to achieve peace if it is not assured the right to defend itself. Anyone who desires peace must stop this report right now," the prime minister concluded, asking the ambassadors to pass the message along to their respective governments.

Earlier Wednesday, Netanyahu announced plans to present a proposal to his cabinet for the establishment of an investigative commission to probe the findings of the Goldstone report.

Related articles:
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  • PA pushing for UN to act on Goldstone 'war crime' findings
  • U.S. to Israel: Probe alleged Gaza war crimes to advance peace
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      1.   Shooting From The Hip 18:07  |  Yaakov Sullivan 30/09/09
      2.   spotlight. 18:10  |  Hirz 30/09/09
      3.   Is there a peace process? 18:12  |  Tony 30/09/09
      4.   He`s Not Interested in Peace In Any Case 18:19  |  Yaakov Sullivan 30/09/09
      5.   Wow Netanyahu is rattled. Good. Goldstone will help peace, 18:21  |  Michael 30/09/09
      6.   Netanyahu good at speaking every which way 18:22  |  Carmen Ferreira 30/09/09
      7.   International Law and the ICC as loose canons 18:23  |  Mark B. 30/09/09
      8.   Bibi the Habitual Blamer 18:24  |  White Russian 30/09/09
      9.   How about... 18:24  |  Marco 30/09/09
      10.   There is a Peace Process? Where was it hiding? 18:32  |  Kris Lazar 30/09/09
      11.   a gross abuse of truth and justice 18:42  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 30/09/09
      12.   I`d agree with him if he were not the top Likud oppressor... 18:42  |  S 30/09/09
      13.   Goldstone report is more of the same hatred 18:44  |  Baruch Gold 30/09/09
      14.   Netanyahu welcomes the Goldstone report 18:45  |  Labhras 30/09/09
      15.   Marco on War Criminals 18:50  |  Yaakov Sullivan 30/09/09
      16.   To the contrary, without justice, no peace possible... 18:53  |  BBSNews 30/09/09
      17.   Maybe not... 18:56  |  ben 30/09/09
      18.   How come no-one took a risk for peace 19:03  |  sh 30/09/09
      19.   Running out of things that will kill the "Peace" Process 19:08  |  Victor 30/09/09
      20.   I won`t impede other nations at all--only Israel 19:08  |  IW 30/09/09
      21.   Netanyahu - master of lies and doublespeak 19:12  |  Don Boston 30/09/09
      22.   liar liar pants on fire 19:22  |  Joshua 30/09/09
      23.   Gaza War Crimes? 19:27  |  J Johnstone 30/09/09
      24.   During the eight consecutive years during which Israeli civilians 19:28  |  Eitan 30/09/09
      25.   Zealot Settlers Threat to Peace 19:31  |  Vladek 30/09/09
      26.   Marco - bring it on - try all war criminals 19:32  |  human equality 30/09/09
      27.   Israel will never leave the west bank - yahooo! 19:40  |  dudi 30/09/09
      28.   disproportionate response is the ONLY answer to terrorists 19:51  |  bernard ross 30/09/09
      29.   Bibi is delusional 20:06  |  Josh 30/09/09
      30.   I would not even wipe my tucchet with Goldstone`s Report. 20:20  |  4:20 30/09/09
      31.   Netanyahoo is a comic!!! 20:21  |  ballistic 30/09/09
      32.   White Russian 20:22  |  Mongo 30/09/09
      33.   It is the Nuremberg laws though Bibi 20:37  |  Marilyn 30/09/09
      34.   Peace is dead now 20:45  |  Miser! 30/09/09
      35.   So says the executioner. 20:47  |  peacelover 30/09/09
      36.   P.S. What peace process? 20:48  |  peacelover 30/09/09
      37.   Bibi is correct 100% correct 20:52  |  rich 30/09/09
      38.   Illogical 20:54  |  O 30/09/09
      39.   what is a little pressure amongst friends? 20:59  |  northern neighbor 30/09/09
      40.   Bibi a loose cannon adrift !! 21:03  |  Joe 30/09/09
      41.   Netanyhu wants to take risks? 21:03  |  Paul 30/09/09
      42.   Bibi burning through all of Israel`s political capitol 21:04  |  binny 30/09/09
      43.   What risk is he talking about? 21:06  |  Dave Duncan 30/09/09
      44.   Mickey Mouse Firework!! 21:08  |  Tony Silver 30/09/09
      45.   Bibi`s empty rhetoric about "death for Peace"... 21:08  |  Esther 30/09/09
      46.   Did Goldstone visited Shalit ? 21:10  |  Joseph .E 30/09/09
      47.   Mr. PM 21:16  |  jay 30/09/09
      48.   4:20 and His Tuches 21:19  |  Yaakov Sullivan 30/09/09
      49.   The so-called report isn`t worth 2 cents 21:19  |  Gee 30/09/09
      50.   As usual ... 21:20  |  Sandy 30/09/09
      51.   #3 Tony 21:26  |  Mike B 30/09/09
      52.   Oh Boy! Someone Else To Blame! 21:29  |  Mark Lincoln 30/09/09
      53.   What is Netanyahu really saying? 21:31  |  Maureen Ann 30/09/09
      54.   the relationship between peace and self defense 21:34  |  Anne 30/09/09
      55.   the relationship between peace and self defense 21:34  |  Anne 30/09/09
      56.   Peace was dead before Goldstone came into the picture 21:34  |  sh 30/09/09
      57.   hey natanyahu any excuse will do right? 21:34  |  zionism = racism 30/09/09
      58.   UN REPORT 21:34  |  American for Levy 30/09/09
      59.   Obfuscation and Denial 21:36  |  Ussishkin 30/09/09
      60.   a poor bargin 21:37  |  a wandering Jew 30/09/09
      61.   You bleeding hearts forget 21:37  |  Gary 30/09/09
      62.   Jewboy Goldstone has no other targets but Israel 21:47  |  IW 30/09/09
      63.   Marco -- How about ... 21:48  |  Bill 30/09/09
      64.   You can take your peace and shove it 21:51  |  Not Interested 30/09/09
      65.   4:20 I would not even wipe 21:56  |  alan 30/09/09
      66.   #11 What exactly is B`tem Salem, "Josh" or rather, Mohammed 21:57  |  McQueen 30/09/09
      67.   A handy excuse for Netanyahu 21:57  |  Chris Linthwaite 30/09/09
      68.   Looking for a rock to hide under. 22:18  |  Bazmann 30/09/09
      69.   Bibi sounds like Bush & Co 22:21  |  Johan 30/09/09
      70.   netanyahu is a demagog and he should be tried too.. 22:21  |  Jackie 30/09/09
      71.   MICHAEL UK Without demanding Arab/Pal accountability 22:23  |  PETER SM 30/09/09
      72.   hey bibi all that work you did on the peace process? 22:26  |  cant stop laughing! 30/09/09
      73.   does goldstone actually believe the rubbish he is spouting ? 22:26  |  v hardman 30/09/09
      74.   "Netanyahu: UN Gaza report spells death for peace" 22:27  |  Esther 30/09/09
      75.   Goldstone A Jew 22:27  |  Abe 30/09/09
      76.   I`m surprised Hamas waited as long as they did. 22:30  |  H 30/09/09
      77.   the bird is death 22:31  |  probe 30/09/09
      78.   What civillian site? 22:32  |  a wandering Jew 30/09/09
      79.   Israel`s Palestinian population control! 22:32  |  Maureen Ann 30/09/09
      80.   Gary..thank you..you are honest 22:32  |  Indigenous 30/09/09
      81.   denying Goldstone report is like denying nazi Holocaust 22:37  |  wahbi 30/09/09
      82.   #9 Marco, Oh The British Criminals. they bombed 22:37  |  Israeli Realist 30/09/09
      83.   Goldstone`s Report 22:40  |  Alex 30/09/09
      84.   Israel is an Apartheid State bereft of morality or humanity. 22:41  |  Nelson Mandela 30/09/09
      85.   What is the rational connection? 22:44  |  Michael N 30/09/09
      86.   Goldstone: "Needed Proof" Look for Sign Reads: Qassam Fire Here 22:49  |  david 30/09/09
      87.   believe lies in the interests of achieving peace 22:51  |  hollingsworth 30/09/09
      88.   Peter SM 51. A bit of smugness. I don`t like Bibi. 22:52  |  Michael 30/09/09
      89.   Goldstone is a deliberate liar 22:55  |  Randy Newman 30/09/09
      90.   Goldstone =The Apartheid Judge 22:56  |  Joshua 30/09/09
      91.   Remember? 22:59  |  Mark Lincoln 30/09/09
      92.   Netanyahu certainly has a different say of thinking... 23:00  |  David James Vickery 30/09/09
      93.   Follow the history of Goldstone carefully. 23:14  |  Jonas Menchik 30/09/09
      94.   A Darling of the Left 23:17  |  Ron 30/09/09
      95.   Bibi sounds like Bush & Co 23:17  |  H 30/09/09
      96.   Goldstone speaks Arabic and understand what has been asked 23:23  |  Left Wing Hegelian 30/09/09
      97.   Goldstone Media Hungry 23:26  |  Thom 30/09/09
      98.   War Crimes 23:30  |  Saul Eisenstat 30/09/09
      99.   #1: War is imprecise--this is just ignorant 23:32  |  Paul Freedman 30/09/09
      100.   Only an idiot can think he can fool everybody 23:48  |  Marcelo 30/09/09
      101.   Who killed the Peace Process? 23:48  |  Iain 30/09/09
      102.   Goldstone a farce 23:49  |  Taisha 30/09/09
      103.   "democratic terror" 23:50  |  Balkenende 30/09/09
      104.   rewarding bad behaviour 23:52  |  Fair 30/09/09
      105.   this guy is courageous and honest 00:01  |  sami abu ismail 01/10/09
      106.   Gary - what you right wing Zionists forget... 00:07  |  Kim 01/10/09
      107.   The Goldstone Report 00:14  |  WHG 01/10/09
      108.   He will go down in our history as a Capo of Capos 00:15  |  Alan SA 01/10/09
      109.   Goldstone: Israel intentionally targeted Gaza civilian sites 00:26  |  steve 01/10/09
      110.   During Cast Lead 00:28  |  Mark Lincoln 01/10/09
      111.   Transparent attempt to blackmail Obama 00:34  |  Johnboy 01/10/09
      112.   Indigenous # 61 00:38  |  Philippe 01/10/09
      113.   :: Intentionally? It`s policy!!! 00:52  |  Matty Groves 01/10/09
      114.   Goldstone Report 00:55  |  Moshe 01/10/09
      115.   This Israel? 01:01  |  David Reuben 01/10/09
      116.   GOLDSTONE Intentionally ignored Hamas firing amongst civillians 01:02  |  PETER SM 01/10/09
      117.   who cares Goldstone? 01:07  |  yuksel 01/10/09
      118.   Gary, "8000 rockets" had nothing to do with it... 01:15  |  BBSNews 01/10/09
      119.   To Indigenous #61 01:30  |  bronxite10 01/10/09
      120.   #42 Gary Houston (USA?) Read #59 Indigenous. 01:36  |  Maureen Ann 01/10/09
      121.   H, pop rockets did not cause the war... 01:38  |  BBSNews 01/10/09
      122.   INDIGENOUS have you read the charter of your elected govt lately? 01:40  |  PETER SM 01/10/09
      123.   53 cant stop laughing! - I/m with you on that one 01:53  |  David 01/10/09
      124.   did they laugh? 02:07  |  edgar 01/10/09
      125.   There is no peace process 02:17  |  Marlene N. 01/10/09
      126.   Goldstone = self hating Jew 02:29  |  Maurice 01/10/09
      127.   #28 Did Goldstone Visit Shalit 02:33  |  Kishen 01/10/09
      128.   "probing in Gaza war crimes will make peace process impossibl 02:46  |  john Spear 01/10/09
      129.   Really Goldstone!!! 03:19  |  Lola 01/10/09
      130.   8000 rockets are not 03:26  |  Lola 01/10/09
      131.   gary you may be right 03:57  |  Cesare 01/10/09
      132.   where were you Yaakov White Russian et al??? 04:03  |  Jane 01/10/09
      133.   Israel`s gotten away with systematic genocide for 42 Years 04:06  |  Marc Leb 01/10/09
      134.   It depends who is the perpetrator of war crimes 04:29  |  Meo 01/10/09
      135.   Banning Goldstone 04:30  |  Bob 01/10/09
      136.   Civilian sites? 04:40  |  Jeff 01/10/09
      137.   Bibi, you can`t cripple something that has no legs 04:57  |  Arik Silverman 01/10/09
      138.   Goldstone Has Integrity 05:08  |  Vladek 01/10/09
      139.   He asked Hamas and this is what they told him, really 05:21  |  Dan 01/10/09
      140.   IAIN When did Pal terrorr ever stop?It was ongoing 06:12  |  PETER SM 01/10/09
      141.   Why does Netinyahu lie? Is it a disease? 06:14  |  CJ 01/10/09
      142.   Eitan - Why are Israeli citizens in NON Israeli territory? 06:29  |  CJ 01/10/09
      143.   Netanyahu is right. 06:30  |  Fortuna Benmayor 01/10/09
      144.   GOLDSTONE Intentionally ignored Hamas firing amongst civillians 06:46  |  PETER SM 01/10/09
      145.   Will Goldstone get free fuel for the rest of his life? 06:51  |  Meo 01/10/09
      146.   Tricky Dick, the ANC man 07:05  |  South African 01/10/09
      147.   Hague for war criminals will save Israel 07:17  |  Don 01/10/09
      148.   lessons learned from iraq; now being applied in afghanistan 10:19  |  eric 01/10/09
      149.   GOLDSTONE intentionaly ignored Hamas firing amongst civillians 11:18  |  PETER SM 01/10/09
      150.   Golstone Record as a judge 16:32  |  Roy 01/10/09
      151.   Goldstone is the criminal in saying that; not the IDF! 3rd try 19:30  |  S 01/10/09
      152.   #151 "S" whether you or israel want to believe it(3rd try) 10:15  |  eric 02/10/09
      153.   to O #38 - surprised? 12:20  |  zeev 03/10/09
      154.   peter sm 122 01:23  |  potobac 04/10/09
      155.   #152 eric: can you provide an approx no. of civilians... 09:19  |  S 04/10/09
      156.   #152 eric: can you provide an approx no. of civilians...2nd try 14:36  |  S 04/10/09
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