Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., October 29, 2009 Cheshvan 11, 5770 | | Israel Time: 17:32 (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 Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
 (Getty Images)
Share |
Last update - 09:38 26/10/2009
Israel to set up team to review Gaza war probe
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu 

Following much deliberation and evasion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have devised a plan to resolve pressure on Israel to independently investigate the war crimes allegations made by the Goldstone commission.

The commission, headed by South African jurist Richard Goldstone, investigated the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces during their winter offensive in Gaza. In their report, the commission accused both Israel and Hamas, the Gaza rulers, of committing war crimes.

Netanyahu, Barak and high-ranking defense officials met Sunday afternoon and decided to appoint a small task force, not an inquiry committee, to review the issue.
Advertisement

Netanyahu instructed Justice Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman to coordinate the task force, which will present its recommendations as to Israel's course of action on the Goldstone report and its ramifications.

The team will make recommendations on what should be done in the diplomatic, legal and public relations planes.

The prime minister said during the meeting that the establishment of an investigation committee was "not an option."

"IDF soldiers and officers will not be subjected to investigation," he stressed.

An official at the prime minister's office said that there were "differing opinions on what should be done."

Barak added that "we sent the fighters on the mission, and they deserve our full support."

"Israel is prepared to fight against the legitimacy of the Goldstone report. In addition, Israel will act to amend rules of war to adjust them to the battle against terrorists who fight from among civilians," he said.

Netanyahu and Barak voiced hope that "this move will put the issue to rest", a government aide speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip last December in what it said was a response to rocket fire by Palestinian Hamas. It refused to cooperate with Goldstone's United Nations fact-finding mission, citing bias concerns.

The Goldstone report lambasted both sides in the war, which killed up to 1,387 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, but was harsher toward Israel. It gave both sides six months to mount credible investigations or face possible prosecution at The Hague.

Goldstone has said he would have confidence in an independent Israeli investigation. Such panels have, in the past, prompted high-level political resignations and reshuffles.

But the political source said Netanyahu and Barak did not want to supersede a series of internal military investigations that supported the army's tactics. The handful of court-martials since the war has been on minor charges such as looting.

"The idea is to set up a team to double-check the findings, to ensure there was no whitewash or lack of professionalism," the source said, adding that Netanyahu's and Barak's initiative awaited cabinet approval next week.

Asked why the government resisted the idea of an independent investigation, the source said: "Netanyahu is afraid of having his hands tied if further action is required in Gaza."

A Netanyahu spokesman declined comment.

Israel has lobbied against any bid to bring the Goldstone report to the UN Security Council. Netanyahu said such a move would be an assault on Israel's right to self defense and would hurt U.S.-led efforts to revive peacemaking with the Palestinians.

Hamas has said it would form a committee to investigate the allegations in the Goldstone report.
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Rockets target Israel
Lebanese troops found, dismantled 4 rockets ready for launching near Israel border
Anti-Semitic joke
French court fines comedian 10,000 euros after he invited Holocaust denier on stage
  1.   Fair of being caught in the trap 21:42  |  James 25/10/09
  2.   Bibi, another coverup/whitewash simply won`t do... 21:54  |  BBSNews 25/10/09
  3.   A committee to confirm the findings of the whitewashes 22:19  |  Richard Pearce 25/10/09
  4.   Confusing but I am not confused 22:25  |  kibishi 25/10/09
  5.   great! IDF and politicians will be prosecuted overseas 23:08  |  dont leave home! 25/10/09
  6.   Still trying to get away with not doing it right 23:56  |  Mark Lincoln 25/10/09
  7.   Horrors - A Team to Read the Report 00:02  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/10/09
  8.   They might not be be investigated in Israel 00:53  |  gillian 26/10/09
  9.   Armchari terrorists support terrorists investigating terrorists 01:42  |  Dan 26/10/09
  10.   UNHRC 8 reslutions against Israel 2 against the rest combined! 01:45  |  What a joke 26/10/09
  11.   UNHRC mandate does not mention Hamas 01:46  |  What a joke 26/10/09
  12.   UNHRC refused to put in writing to investigate Hamas! 01:47  |  What a joke 26/10/09
  13.   UNHRC selected 48 cases fro Goldy - ALL against Israel 01:48  |  What a joke 26/10/09
  14.   Only soldiers and Gaza people know the truth so who will talk? 01:48  |  Bloodyscot 26/10/09
  15.   Say what!? 01:50  |  hollingsworth 26/10/09
  16.   A new VISA commercial 01:53  |  Dan 26/10/09
  17.   Whitewash Job 01:56  |  Boyd 26/10/09
  18.   It`s funny to observe Ravid`s "objecrive reporting" 01:57  |  Absolute Sweden 26/10/09
  19.   A weak compromise and waste of Bibi`s energy 02:56  |  Lariat 26/10/09
  20.   `Soldiers won`t be investigated...` 03:02  |  Welshman 26/10/09
  21.   All you HAGUE FANS will be very disappointed-laugh will be on you 03:20  |  Alan SA 26/10/09
  22.   To Dan #9 `Armchari terrorists...` 03:23  |  Colin Wright 26/10/09
  23.   Dan, you are quite wrong, the Goldstone Report... 03:49  |  BBSNews 26/10/09
  24.   a team set up strictly for "damage control" 06:16  |  eric 26/10/09
  25.   they need to study how to repeat Cast Lead 07:30  |  Miron 26/10/09
  26.   what is Israel hiding, except it`s own bumbling? 07:31  |  Emett 26/10/09
  27.   This calls for immediate discussion! (end) 08:03  |  Brian Cohen 26/10/09
  28.   We`ll be VERY busy NOT answering the world, so... 08:24  |  Esther 26/10/09
  29.   Goldstone report wont pass through the S. C. 09:08  |  arik 26/10/09
  30.   BBS Palestine-Afghanistan-human rights 09:14  |  arik 26/10/09
  31.   #1 You are so right! 09:21  |  Chall 26/10/09
  32.   Israel blocked Goldstone`s mission in first place 09:23  |  igm 26/10/09
  33.   19# Chall Olmert was incharge then not Bibi 10:32  |  Israeliguy 26/10/09
  34.   PEARCE Israel supreme court forbade use of human shields 10:57  |  PETER SM 26/10/09
  35.   IGM why cooperate if Israel was pronounced guilty FIRST 11:21  |  PETER SM 26/10/09
  36.   Anything but an investigation. 11:25  |  Scott Hunter 26/10/09
  37.   A state of lawlessness 11:35  |  r cummings 26/10/09
  38.   Take pride in accountability not in refusing investigaitons 11:35  |  Fair 26/10/09
  39.   Human shields 11:46  |  r cummings 26/10/09
  40.   FAIR take pride in an investigation that does not pronounce guilt 12:04  |  PETER SM 26/10/09
  41.   CUMMINGS what do you call firing amongst civillians 12:16  |  PETER SM 26/10/09
  42.   Israel should listen to UK and France 12:31  |  Keith T. 26/10/09
  43.   r cummings---PSM wont read the report--truth hurts 13:36  |  Labhras 26/10/09
  44.   r cummings---PSM wont read the report--truth hurts 13:36  |  Labhras 26/10/09
  45.   #27 r cummings---hear hear 13:47  |  Labhras 26/10/09
  46.   Oh the Irony---Israel will use this to cancel peace 13:59  |  Labhras 26/10/09
  47.   Stroke of genius 14:03  |  Phillipe 26/10/09
  48.   The Lobby at the ICC is getting a make over 3rd try 14:05  |  Labhras 26/10/09
  49.   CUMMINGS Its OK UNHCR never bothered with any messy facts either 14:08  |  PETER SM 26/10/09
  50.   #27 r cummings Part One 14:18  |  Der Zweifler 26/10/09
  51.   Humpty Dumpty Has Fallen 14:19  |  Yaakov Sullivan 26/10/09
  52.   #34 labarse of arbia is going to recount his experiences 15:03  |  vhardman 26/10/09
  53.   Labhras, r cummings 15:06  |  Der Zweifler 26/10/09
  54.   It`s high time HaAretz posted this information 16:02  |  *BEN JABO 26/10/09
  55.   the beginnings of a climb-down 16:19  |  Neil 26/10/09
  56.   Think about it, Der Zweifler 17:37  |  r cummings 26/10/09
  57.   The funny thing about Gaza is that it has 17:53  |  r cummings 26/10/09
  58.   Labhras (#43) Here are some facts that debunk your statements 18:24  |  Gil 26/10/09
  59.   Netanyahu`s idea of a credible investigation 18:56  |  Marie Mirabeau 26/10/09
  60.   #46 r cummings 19:17  |  Der Zweifler 26/10/09
  61.   Notice the Continued Resistance to an Investigation 19:39  |  Yaakov Sullivan 26/10/09
  62.   Der Zweifler and NYT in Gaza 19:59  |  d. erriere 26/10/09
  63.   I am looking forward 20:48  |  Danny 26/10/09
  64.   #54 erriere 20:51  |  Der Zweifler 26/10/09
  65.   Yaakov Sullivan (#53) we don`t need Goldstone report 20:58  |  Gil 26/10/09
  66.   Yaakov Sullivan (#53) we don`t need Goldstone report 20:59  |  Gil 26/10/09
  67.   1 21:02  |  Jim 26/10/09
  68.   2. 21:04  |  Jim 26/10/09
  69.   3 21:06  |  Jim 26/10/09
  70.   4 21:08  |  Jim 26/10/09
  71.   6 21:10  |  Jim 26/10/09
  72.   7 21:14  |  Jim 26/10/09
  73.   #58 Gil in case you did not notice---case closed 21:19  |  Labhras 26/10/09
  74.   Netanyahu already admitted law were broken when he ask to change 22:23  |  Bloodyscot 26/10/09
  75.   Day late, dollar short 01:31  |  Gully Foyle 27/10/09
  76.   #49 Care to get a calendar, PETER SM? 01:34  |  Johnboy 27/10/09
  77.   #30 arik 02:36  |  Jim 27/10/09
  78.   #34 Peter SM 02:47  |  Jim 27/10/09
  79.   #35 Peter SM 03:29  |  Jim 27/10/09
  80.   Yeah, r cummings 03:42  |  hollingsworth 27/10/09
  81.   #47 Phillipe 03:45  |  Jim 27/10/09
  82.   @ PETER SM re: Goldstone`s alleged prejudice 08:00  |  igm 27/10/09
  83.   #57 r. cummings - just for starters read #54 14:20  |  *BEN JABO 27/10/09
  84.   57 r. cummings & GOLDSTONE - OPEN YOUR EYES 14:22  |  *BEN JABO 27/10/09
  85.   If Bibi thinks his "small task force" is helping.... 19:19  |  Silvienne 27/10/09
  86.   to BEN JABO and use of human shields 19:55  |  hollingsworth 27/10/09
  87.   another caveat, BEN JABO 20:01  |  hollingsworth 27/10/09
  88.   #85 Hollingsworth - What y ou "understood" 21:42  |  *BEN JABO 27/10/09
  89.   Hollingsworth - You`re wasting my time 21:46  |  *BEN JABO 27/10/09
  90.   Hollingsworthless - Try reading my post again 02:02  |  *BEN JABO 28/10/09
  91.   #84 Silvienen - Are you willing to personally 02:04  |  *BEN JABO 28/10/09
  92.   Ben Jabo confuses the two points 14:48  |  r cummings 28/10/09
  93.   #91, Ben Jabo... 16:37  |  Silvienne 28/10/09
  94.   r. cummings - you`re confusing ffacts with fiction 17:09  |  *BEN JABO 28/10/09
  95.   #93 Silvienne - I admit nothing 17:24  |  *BEN JABO 28/10/09
  96.   r. cummings AN ADDENDUM 17:51  |  *BEN JABO 28/10/09
  97.   Ben Jabo... 19:04  |  Silvienne 28/10/09
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Date Local Jewish Singles
Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
17:18 Gunman wounds two in attack on L.A. synagogue
16:36 Israel marks 14 years since Rabin assassination
16:58 Iran hands over response to UN-proposed nuclear deal
16:12 Lebanon: Israel arranged Katyusha fire to keep tensions high
14:28 Are there 20,000 or 20,000,000 refugees in Israel?
17:26 Poll: Anti-Semitic views in the U.S. at a historic low
16:47 73 years later, row erupts over discovery of Beit Shearim caves
00:10 TV ROUND-UP: Rabin murder commemorated; child abuse suspect extradited
16:22 Turkey envoy: Good ties with Israel part of our global aspirations
08:55 UN to debate Goldstone Gaza report next week
14:41 At least 20 hurt as two buses collide head-on in Nazareth
12:56 Police view alleged child-abusing 'rabbi' as attempted murder suspect
09:51 Israeli film Ajami takes best first feature at London festival
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