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Last update - 20:30 04/10/2009
Goldstone tells Sderot: Probe did not ignore rocket terror
By Yanir Yagna, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel news 

Judge Richard Goldstone, who wrote damning report on Israel's 2009 offensive in the Gaza Strip, told the mayor of Sderot in a letter on Sunday that he would have liked to visit the rocket-battered town during his investigation but was unable to do so due to objections by the Israeli government.

Click here for more on the Goldstone commission report on the Gaza conflict

Goldstone's report awakened criticism of a one-sided investigation, as he accused both Israel and Hamas of war crimes during the January conflict. He wrote the letter in response to a missive received on the first of the month from Sderot Mayor David Buskila.
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Buskila, whose city of Sderot has been bombarded by Qassam rockets fired from Gaza for eight years, accused Goldstone in his own letter of remaining silent while "8,000 rockets pounded us."

In response, Goldstone wrote:

"Dear Mayor Buskila,

I acknowledge with thanks your letter of 1 October 2009. If you have read our report you will see that:

1. We set out the details and an analysis of the terror that the firing of rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip caused to the people of Southern Israel including Sderot and especially to the children.

2. We stated that the firing of rockets and mortars at civilian targets in Southern Israel constituted serious war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.

3. The members of the Mission wished to visit Southern Israel and especially Sderot but permission for such a visit was not agreed to by the Government of Israel.

I fully share you hope that peace will come your region and when I next visit Israel I would like to accept your invitation to visit Sderot.

With my best wishes for the New Year,

Richard Goldstone"

In his letter on October 1, Buskila wrote that his city had suffered from Hamas' aggression more than any other Israeli city, with death and destruction that left an indelible mark on the residents of the city.

"The world, and you in it, was silent. You were silent in the face of the dead bodies of our children, in the face of our children's frightened eyes, you were silent in the face of every one of the 8,000 Qassam rockets that hit our city," Buskila wrote.

"Your silence was frightening, and reminiscent of things forgotten," he added.

The letter began with the mention of three Sderot children who were killed in rocket attacks. "The blood of the children whose lives were cut short is screaming out from the earth, there is no redemption and no forgiveness for the blood of a little child whose short existence had not yet taught him that there is evil and that there are wars," Buskila wrote, attaching pictures of the three children "who will never grow up" to the letter.

The Sderot mayor also expressed his identification with the Palestinian people, writing that "I regret and am sorry for the death of every Palestinian child, I feel the pain of the Palestinian civilians, but let's not ignore the facts - the leaders of Hamas and other fundamental Islamic terror organizations are to blame for the suffering of Sderot residents and their children, as well as the suffering of Gaza's residents. These people, whose sole purpose in life are war crimes, and to whom the norms of the West do not apply, are to blame."

Buskila concluded his letter by expressing hope that "peace will prevail in our region, and I invite you to personally examine the suffering of the residents of Sderot, who represent the other part of the equation, the part you didn't bother understanding."

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      1.   Mr Goldstone avoids the truth ... again 19:30  |  Morris Valentine 04/10/09
      2.   Pretty typical 19:31  |  Colin Wright 04/10/09
      3.   Probe ignored the testimony of Sderot victims 19:31  |  A Nice Fellow 04/10/09
      4.   Goldstone is no patsy 19:36  |  John 04/10/09
      5.   An advise: Goldstone, the less you talk at this point the better 19:38  |  Fredie 04/10/09
      6.   Colin Wright - What`s actually IN 19:40  |  A TRUE American 04/10/09
      7.   goldstone/sderot 19:43  |  judy 04/10/09
      8.   Try reading the report folks 19:59  |  Mark Lincoln 04/10/09
      9.   Goldstone report 20:00  |  Rolandus 04/10/09
      10.   "a nice fellow" - that is simply an outright lie... 20:01  |  BBSNews 04/10/09
      11.   How Can Diaspora Jews be So Blind to Israeli Realities???? 20:06  |  David 04/10/09
      12.   BBS News--as a Hamasnik, you ought to be able to recognize a lie 20:09  |  A Nice Fellow 04/10/09
      13.   #10 20:11  |  harvey 04/10/09
      14.   judy, is "defense" shooting people with white flags? 20:11  |  BBSNews 04/10/09
      15.   Mark Lincoln---try reading reports from Sderot victims 20:12  |  A Nice Fellow 04/10/09
      16.   READ THE REPORT! 20:13  |  an actual reader 04/10/09
      17.   one-sided investigation? 20:17  |  Stan 04/10/09
      18.   Goldstone fraud; employed by UNHRC 20:20  |  bernard ross 04/10/09
      19.   who cares 20:22  |  The Last Zionist 04/10/09
      20.   he is saying that after eight years and little words 20:23  |  JO 04/10/09
      21.   BS News 20:23  |  Another Jew 04/10/09
      22.   123456789 20:28  |  the punisher 04/10/09
      23.   BS News 20:35  |  Another Jew 04/10/09
      24.   Is Goldstone an ididot? 20:37  |  shlomo 04/10/09
      25.   Hoo bloody haw, Mark Lincoln, #8 20:53  |  Wendy 04/10/09
      26.   Why didnt Goldy only come into picture after 8000 rockets 21:01  |  Alan SA 04/10/09
      27.   Balanced report 21:21  |  Henry 04/10/09
      28.   Wasn`t the mayor the one who said, in an interview: 21:23  |  H50 04/10/09
      29.   To BBS News 21:24  |  Michael 04/10/09
      30.   Is Ha`aretz on Goldstone`s side? 21:37  |  Steve 04/10/09
      31.   The Rockets are still falling in Sderot 21:37  |  H 04/10/09
      32.   Diaspora Jews are reliable sources 21:45  |  Peacefull Observer 04/10/09
      33.   EXACTLY bernard ross #18!! "Goldstone fraud; employed by UNHRC"! 21:46  |  S 04/10/09
      34.   goldstone didnt get the point 21:51  |  scallywag 04/10/09
      35.   READ THE REPORT!!! 21:58  |  A TRUE AMERICAN 04/10/09
      36.   Goldstone Report 22:01  |  Bill 04/10/09
      37.   2. try: goldstone didnt get the point 22:13  |  scallywag 04/10/09
      38.   Goldstone the hypocrite 22:22  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/10/09
      39.   Isreali counterpropaganda becomes ridiculous 22:23  |  Nico Mavelli 04/10/09
      40.   first words 22:35  |  Hirz 04/10/09
      41.   EXACTLY bernard ross #18!! "Goldstone employed by UNHRC"! 2nd try 22:37  |  S 04/10/09
      42.   Probe did not ignore rocket terror 22:39  |  a wandering Jew 04/10/09
      43.   3. try: goldstone didnt get the point 22:40  |  scallywag 04/10/09
      44.   Morris Valentine LOL You`re hilarious. 22:41  |  CJ 04/10/09
      45.   Well can Goldyston explain what he did during 8 years of rockets? 23:07  |  Dan 04/10/09
      46.   Goldston report is a crime against humanity UN should investigate 23:13  |  UNHRC 04/10/09
      47.   He asked Hamas terrorists what happened I am not kidding! 23:17  |  Dan 04/10/09
      48.   Eight years of rockets, and nobody made a report. 23:18  |  Fortuna Benmayor 04/10/09
      49.   Mr. Goldston is a brave honest Jew! 23:25  |  Eyal 04/10/09
      50.   Silence on attacks 23:30  |  Richard Pearce 04/10/09
      51.   The report is based on Gazans testimonials. Are you kidding me? 23:39  |  Dan 04/10/09
      52.   Goldstone lies 23:44  |  Cameron 04/10/09
      53.   Colin Wright #2 00:01  |  Robert 05/10/09
      54.   a wandering jew 00:04  |  sh 05/10/09
      55.   Hirz 00:09  |  Robert 05/10/09
      56.   Upright Standing Jaundiced American Colin Wright 00:16  |  Absolute Sweden 05/10/09
      57.   #27 Say Cipora, your eminent Judge Goldstone 00:19  |  ballistic 05/10/09
      58.   Sderot 00:21  |  Shmuelshachor 05/10/09
      59.   Did I miss G`s enquiry into 8K Rockets BEFORE CAST LEAD operation 00:21  |  Alan SA 05/10/09
      60.   Mr. Goldstone has comprehesion problem 00:21  |  Gene 05/10/09
      61.   the ZIONISTS here are caught out lying 00:25  |  VIPER 05/10/09
      62.   A Wandering Jew---it did not begin with the Rockets 00:35  |  Labhras 05/10/09
      63.   Read the report scallywag then post 3rd try 00:42  |  Labhras 05/10/09
      64.   The Goldstone Fact Finding Report 00:53  |  PL 05/10/09
      65.   scallywag, you missed the point and I`m not surprised... 01:18  |  BBSNews 05/10/09
      66.   READ BUSKILA`S LETTER 01:22  |  The Prophet 05/10/09
      67.   READ BUSKILA`S LETTER 01:24  |  The Prophet 05/10/09
      68.   I read it and it`s DEFINITELY biased 01:32  |  Shmaty Pants 05/10/09
      69.   Scalawag is right!!!! Only after Israel defends itself... 01:38  |  Shmaty Pants 05/10/09
      70.   answer 01:49  |  marcio 05/10/09
      71.   morris valentine 1 02:30  |  potobac 05/10/09
      72.   IT IS THE TIMING 02:42  |  JOHN 05/10/09
      73.   #8 Mark Lincoln 03:37  |  Giora 05/10/09
      74.   UNHCR TRIED to ignore it.Setting UNHCR mandate to do just that 03:38  |  PETER SM 05/10/09
      75.   BBS Is conflicting evidence,hearsay fact enough for you? 03:40  |  PETER SM 05/10/09
      76.   Give it Up, Goldstone 05:09  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/10/09
      77.   Should He Try To Enter Israel Again He Should Be Promptly 05:48  |  Eli 05/10/09
      78.   possibly, Mr. Goldstone? 05:50  |  julie 05/10/09
      79.   33 Giora - Utter Horse Dung 05:56  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/10/09
      80.   Judge Richard Goldstone wasn`t worth the paper its printed on 06:31  |  kipperraes 05/10/09
      81.   M.OF LEWISTON So you care about children do you? 06:47  |  PETER SM 05/10/09
      82.   Goldstone squirming, defensive, denial, agressive. 06:48  |  bar kochma 05/10/09
      83.   Mark of Lewiston, Hamas testmonials? That`s terrorist dung! 07:12  |  Israeli 05/10/09
      84.   "where were you the last 8 years?" what a stupid question! 07:22  |  eric 05/10/09
      85.   Was Goldstone committee denied entry to Israel? 07:41  |  Barry Berger 05/10/09
      86.   How could Goldstone conclude 07:42  |  Stan 05/10/09
      87.   Goldstone buried his comments, avoided reality 08:00  |  Joe Sittizen 05/10/09
      88.   Eli, it is you with the threats, incitement and slander... 08:06  |  BBSNews 05/10/09
      89.   EXACTLY bernard ross #18!! "Goldstone employed by UNHRC"! 3rd try 08:26  |  S 05/10/09
      90.   goldstone fails in" astill tongue makes a wise head 08:29  |  v hardman 05/10/09
      91.   Goldstone and the usual loonies miss the point 08:59  |  Ki`emli 05/10/09
      92.   I see ignorance is alive and well 09:13  |  CJ 05/10/09
      93.   Shmaty Pants - you spout BS... WHY? 09:18  |  CJ 05/10/09
      94.   He did mention the rocket attacks... 09:40  |  Michael Davison 05/10/09
      95.   Forget Goldstone and his paper of lies 09:48  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 05/10/09
      96.   no.62 10:23  |  a wandering Jew 05/10/09
      97.   An ego trip... 10:24  |  Albert Edelson 05/10/09
      98.   Timing Timing Timing Mr. Golldstone 10:39  |  Proud Israeli 05/10/09
      99.   Morris Valentine flip flop man 10:59  |  Roo 05/10/09
      100.   This propaganda counter-attack by Israel 11:02  |  r cummings 05/10/09
      101.   eric # 84 `hypocrisy` claim is made by fools and bigots 11:23  |  Roo 05/10/09
      102.   #100 mr cummings and blatant hypocrisy reigns again 11:30  |  v hardman 05/10/09
      103.   Number 10, BBS News, brilliant post 11:39  |  Ben Alofs 05/10/09
      104.   A TRUE AMERICAN 11:45  |  proud american 05/10/09
      105.   Right or wrong 11:50  |  Adam 05/10/09
      106.   Possible true reason why Goldstone`s Sderot visit prohibited... 11:52  |  Esther 05/10/09
      107.   Fair`s Fair 12:12  |  Stan 05/10/09
      108.   bbsn 15:51  |  yerushalmi 05/10/09
      109.   goldstone 15:54  |  abducted 05/10/09
      110.   Goldstone is no longer welcome in the Jewish community of Denmark 15:57  |  Toba 05/10/09
      111.   Giora # 73 you are right 15:58  |  American in NY 05/10/09
      112.   Goldstone tells Sderot 16:05  |  Denis C. Gray 05/10/09
      113.   answer to Michael Davison 16:37  |  proud american 05/10/09
      114.   answer to stan 16:38  |  proud american 05/10/09
      115.   CJ: Israel has noted that it tried to avoid civilian casualties 18:48  |  Shmaty Pants 05/10/09
      116.   CJ: Let fleeing Pal civilians come into Israel? 18:50  |  Shmaty 05/10/09
      117.   TRUE AMERICAN: Why not have the UN investigate US "crimes"? 18:52  |  shmaty 05/10/09
      118.   Ben Alofs: You`re kidding, right? 18:58  |  Shmaty pants 05/10/09
      119.   Silent? Gimmee a break! 20:07  |  W 05/10/09
      120.   Shmaty---ratios 20:08  |  A. T. Wilson 05/10/09
      121.   From a lightweight to Roo 21:04  |  Morris Valentine 05/10/09
      122.   BBS news all the news that never fits 21:15  |  Big Sur 05/10/09
      123.   #100 r cummings obviously not paying attention to Current events 21:19  |  Big Sur 05/10/09
      124.   AT Wilson: The war was a result of Hamas missle attacks 22:27  |  Shmaty 05/10/09
      125.   W: There is a big difference between Gaza and Warsaw Uprising 22:28  |  Shmaty 05/10/09
      126.   R. Cummings: We get it! But why not investigate others too? 22:32  |  Shmaty 05/10/09
      127.   How should Israel respond to 8 years of rocket fire on civilians? 22:38  |  Shmaty 05/10/09
      128.   BBS News 10: No one denies that mistakes were made 22:56  |  Shmaty 05/10/09
      129.   What,s going on Big Sur---trying to get a few posts in during 00:07  |  Labhras 06/10/09
      130.   Schamty---taht is an easy question---end the occupation 00:13  |  Labhras 06/10/09
      131.   Schamty---taht is an easy question---end the occupation 00:14  |  Labhras 06/10/09
      132.   r cummings your propoganda flies in the face of facts 00:47  |  PETER SM 06/10/09
      133.   What Goldstone condemns? 02:17  |  Otto Rand 06/10/09
      134.   #118 Shmaty - Try NOT doing that which only makes things worse! 03:25  |  PADDY 06/10/09
      135.   118 Smanty, there were things they didn`t try 03:39  |  Richard Pearce 06/10/09
      136.   The Truth the UN Doesn`t Want You to Know 04:37  |  massaraksh 06/10/09
      137.   #102 v hardman - What a SURPRISE! 04:42  |  Christopher 06/10/09
      138.   Once upon a time 05:38  |  Mark Lincoln 06/10/09
      139.   big sur, Israel lobbed seven times the ordinance back... 06:06  |  BBSNews 06/10/09
      140.   IWO JIMA 06:07  |  alan the real one 06/10/09
      141.   scallywag 09:43  |  Traude 06/10/09
      142.   #118Hapless Shmaty-Israel tried everything...to avoid peace 10:30  |  Roo 06/10/09
      143.   #118Hapless Shmaty-Israel tried everything...to avoid peace 10:57  |  Roo 06/10/09
      144.   #118Hapless Shmaty-Israel tried everything...to avoid peace 12:07  |  Roo 06/10/09
      145.   #118, SHMATY, why? here`s why 00:17  |  VIPER 07/10/09
      146.   Shmaty #118 --- How to respond pt. 1 07:53  |  A T Wilson 07/10/09
      147.   Shmaty #118 --- How to respond pt. 2 07:57  |  A T Wilson 07/10/09
      148.   Shmaty #118 --- How to respond pt. 3 08:15  |  A T Wilson 07/10/09
      149.   How many rockets? 13:19  |  Ted 22/10/09
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