Goldstone tells Sderot: Probe did not ignore rocket terror

Please remind me (I am serious). Just how many rockets were fired into Israel? The numbers on this list vary between 8,000 to 16,000 and everything in between! And for the record - how many bombs, missiles, phosphorus flares, mortars, rounds of ammunition, etc, were fired into or in Gaza by the IDF. Just a thought.

As part of the treaty, you need to agree together that all your difficulties with each other are to be treated under civil law, not military. Suicide bombings are murder, as are targeted assassinations. Excessive force is treated as it is in civil law. Grievances should be dealt with by a special court, comprising Israel's most senior judge and one other Israeli judge, Palestine's most senior judge and one other Palestinian judge, and three Scandinavian judges. This court should have the power to issue both civil and criminal sanctions binding on all parties. It should, in particular, have power to imprison government officials at any level on either side.

This network of fixed cameras would be supplemented by a fleet of surveillance UAVs, and a radar network sufficiently precise to pick up both outgoing rockets and incoming artillery. The negotiations would be three-way because neither Israelis nor Palestinians should have any control of the system, or be able to shut it do. It should be run by someone with a reputation for honesty, i.e. some Scandinavians. Israelis, Palestinians, and anyone else who wants to should have access to this system via the web, both in real time, and in archived form. The surveillance system should be protected by a treaty to which all three parties agree. This treaty should afford the surveillance system the protections usually to diplomatic territory.

Easy. You enter three-way negotiations to place surveillance cameras completely covering the Gaza strip, the entire border of the strip, including particularly the border crossings, and a wide fringing strip of Israeli territory around that. How wide should the fringing strip be? The average distance your government puts between the green line and the separation barrier comes to mind. ctd...

why should the pals be subject to the cruel treatement of their people, i mean it's not them that occupy palestine now is it?.

Hapless and hopeless. We know Israel killed many thousands of Gazns including over a thousand civilians during those years but Israel had a ceasefire which your own Foreign Ministry made clear had seen a '98% reduction in rocket fire' up to the point where the IDF entered Gaza on Nov 4th. So 'Israel tried everything'. Yes everything to avoid extended calm. When Hamas offered to return to a ceasefire over a much longer period than the hitherto 6 month agreement in return for a lifting of the 'economic sige'. Israel said NO. So it would be fair to say Israel tried everything to avoid a peaceful solution so that they could go on punishing Gazans with their economic siege, which they do to this day. Now we also know that Israel made meticulous plans for Cast Lead even whilst the June ceasefire was being implemented, we should not be as hopeless as Shmaty in not figuring out Israel never needed nor desired a peaceful resolution.

Hapless and hopeless. We know Israel killed many thousands of Gazns including over a thousand civilians during those years but Israel had a ceasefire which your own Foreign Ministry made clear had seen a '98% reduction in rocket fire' up to the point where the IDF entered Gaza on Nov 4th. So 'Israel tried everything'. Yes everything to avoid extended calm. When Hamas offered to return to a ceasefire over a much longer period than the hitherto 6 month agreement in return for a lifting of the 'economic sige'. Israel said NO. So it would be fair to say Israel tried everything to avoid a peaceful solution so that they could go on punishing Gazans with their economic siege, which they do to this day. Now we also know that Israel made meticulous plans for Cast Lead even whilst the June ceasefire was being implemented, we should not be as hopeless as Shmaty in not figuring out Israel never needed nor desired a peaceful resolution.

Hapless and hopeless. We know Israel killed many thousands of Gazns including over a thousand civilians during those years but Israel had a ceasefire which your own Foreign Ministry made clear had seen a '98% reduction in rocket fire' up to the point where the IDF entered Gaza on Nov 4th. So 'Israel tried everything'. Yes everything to avoid extended calm. When Hamas offered to return to a ceasefire over a much longer period than the hitherto 6 month agreement in return for a lifting of the 'economic sige'. Israel said NO. So it would be fair to say Israel tried everything to avoid a peaceful solution so that they could go on punishing Gazans with their economic siege, which they do to this day. Now we also know that Israel made meticulous plans for Cast Lead even whilst the June ceasefire was being implemented, we should not be as hopeless as Shmaty in not figuring out Israel never needed nor desired a peaceful resolution.

Quote: fact is that during all the years when hamas and other terrorists attacked israel and especially sderot, there was no probe by the united nations. only when israel STARTED TO DEFEND ITSELF by the january-war in gaza, a un-commission was sent for a probe. Where were you during Operation Rainbow, Operation Days of Penitence, Operation Summer Rains and Operation Autumn Cluds to name just the latest? Any investigation ito 8 years of rocket shellings would include all of Israels actions as well and I doubt this would improve Israels standing.

I wonder what goldstone would have said about US marines napalming Imperial Japanese Army troops holding out in the caves on Iwo Jima. Its easy to criticize when you've never experienced combat.

...and a detailed timeline of the period from about 2000-2008 by an MIT scientist shows that Israel by far is the first to fire during any lull or ceasefire. That lame act like Israel did not respond the whole time is just that, lame.

Once upon a time, long ago. . . . There would have been an immense debate in Israel over the Goldstone Report. But that was a long gone Israel that actually thought it had to be a light unto the world and that it should set a moral example. Not an Israel willing to die, or submit, or accept terrorist attack. But an Israel that thought it was something better than the least in the world. A nation which prided itself upon having the most moral armed forces in the world. In the Battle of Jenin, Israel went to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties and targeted terrorists. Part of Jenin was destroyed, but only that part that HAD to be destroyed. This cost israel significant casualties. In Lebanon and Cast Lead Israel chose a far different strategy. It sought to avoid casualties and crushing the terrorists in favor of attacking the civilian infrastructure of Lebanon and Gaza. For the first, and second time, Israel inflicted more civilian casualties than terrorist killed.

The "stock" rebuttal of any criticism of Israel is: (To minimise our GUILT) What about the Germans! (Always a good starter) What about Darfur! What about Iraq! What about Afghanistan! What about the Martians! What about- ALL the atrocities EVER perpetrated by ANYONE, EVER! If THEY can "get away with it", why not Israel, (the particularly MORAL country) Don't like "sunlight", do you?

This was an investigation that came to conclusion before it started investigating. The team included a well-known rabid anti-Israeli activist. It accepted the testimony of the Hamas-provided "eyewitnesses" as valid and ignored the presence of the Hamas enforcers. Why should anybody be surprised at the results?

You wrote "Israel tried everything: Targeted killings, border closings, even negotiations." I noticed you didn't include living up to what they agreed to in the negotiations, or accept that the Geneva conventions apply to Israel too.

Along with the "targeted killings", border closings and "negotiations", the Israelis engaged in the use of the 'dirtiest" of weapons on civilians, theft of land, imprisoning of a whole population in Gaza and the multiple-prisons throughout the West Bank, denial of the basics of life (oil, food, medicine, schoolbooks! shoes!) theft of water, denial of basic human rights, collective punishment, killing of children, completely ignoring of International Law, the building of a "Berlin Wall" on Palestinian land, breaking of cease-fire agreements and every other agreement they ever entered into.... As for how Israel should respond, Stop ALL of the above! Mr Goldstone should be very proud of his report, given the reaction of the Zionuts here who are "frothing at the mouth" at seeing the truth revealed about their barbarous behavior. As for how Israel should respond, Stop ALL of the above!

Reading the Goldstone report once again, he does not condone the Hamas bombardment of Sderot, nor is he apathetic to the suffering of Israelis. Nor does he claim that Israel should not have attacked Hamas. His finding show however that some of the IDL actions fall into the category of war crimes, according to their current definition, particularly when it comes to unproportionate harm to civilian population. This is deplorable and necessitates a thorough investigation, rather than a defensive attitude and accusaiton of a committed friend of Israel of an anti-Israeli bias. oldstom is the last person who would have such a bias. The shelling of Qassams on Israeli settlements is equally deplorable, but a deplorable action is not a response to another deplorable action. Hamas cannot serve a model to Israel and its army. Arousing hatred among the local population helps only the Arab militants. The answer is achieving peace with your enemies and making the civilian population supportive of it

UNHCR did not send Goldstone to investigate whether Israel had commited any human rights violations it was sent to investigate ISRAELS (only)human rights violations ie the decision and judgement was already made. There was NO mention of anything done by Hamas nor was Goldstone empowered by the mandate to do so.Mary Robinson put it clearly""[urlhttp://www.atlanticblog.com/archives/002925.html]This is unfortunately a practice by the [UN Human Rights] Council: adopting resolutions guided not by human rights but by politics. This is very regrettable.[/url]" She refused to take the post. Goldstone took it THE UHRC had no need to investigate 10000 missiles on Israel till Israel retaliated.Why did they do nothing for years??Human rights? PS The Qassams did NOT stop despite numerous warnings by Israel of the consequences. How many bombings of Israeli civillians a day is "enough"?

aha---the one thing you forgot to try. The only thing that would have ended the conflict. But hey, Israel does nnot want to end the conflict. That would mean the end of the Greater Israel plan. Wouldn,t it Schamty. By the way--if you read the report that is exactly what the commission stated. Israel intended to punish the People of Gaza. Go read the report.(do you have the courage????). Here is the link. http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/12session/A-HRC-12-48.pdf

aha---the one thing you forgot to try. The only thing that would have ended the conflict. But hey, Israel does nnot want to end the conflict. That would mean the end of the Greater Israel plan. Wouldn,t it Schamty. By the way--if you read the report that is exactly what the commission stated. Israel intended to punish the People of Gaza. Go read the report.(do you have the courage????). Here is the link. http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/12session/A-HRC-12-48.pdf

lunch. You seem pensive.Your typing is all over the place.Defending the indefensible is difficult eh Big Sur. Now as to your rediculous claim that Israel asked for a un investigation into SDEROT---Get real. Israel does not want the UN anywhere near. That is why they murdered several of them in Lebanon and some in Gaza. If you have links or articles to the contrary--we await your contribution. Wont be holding our breath though. Why dont you go for a long stroll down the El Camino Real and maybe you will come to realise that you are kicking a dead horse.

As an American, you should know that deaths of innocents happen in wars. Wars suck. However, Hamas terrorists fired rockets indiscriminatly for 8 years while hiding behind women and children. Perhaps you can tell us how Israel should deal with attacks from people like these who are bent on its destruction? Israel tried negotiations, blockades, targetted killings, and only after everything else failed, they turned to war. Yes, we know that few Israelis were killed by Hamas' rockets. But the rockets could not go unanswered. Israel had every right to defend itself, and it went to extraordinary measures to reduce civilian casualities --measures that few if any other country in the world has ever gone to. Fighting terrorists, as you in America should know, cannot involve responding to attacks in equal measure (e.g., killing in equivalent numbers). Fighting terrorists just doesn't work that way.

Israel tried everything: Targeted killings, border closings, even negotiations. The war was a last resort. If you think otherwise -- that Israel engaged in the war to simply punish Gazans -- then you are simply anti-Israel and You are hopeless.

Why focus on only Israel?

If you can't see that, then you are hopeless.

I would think that in view of Hamas' responsibility for this war, there should be a greater focus in the report on Hamas and, perhaps, the responsiblity of terrorists for such wars on terror, more generally (e.g., Iraq, Afghanistan). This is something the world also needs to take away from the war in Gaza. Also, why no similar study of other "war crimes" by the U.S. and others involved in the 40+ wars currently going on around the globe. Why the focus exclusively on Israel?

Israel has called countless times over the past 8 years (more) for the un TO LOOK INTO ATROSITIES ON OUR SIDE OF THE BORDER. yOU LIKE gOLDSTONE MUST HAVE FELL ASLEEP WHILE iSRAEL ASKED TIME AND AGAIN

Always talks and never listens, I wondedr what he would say if he also knew that Goldstone has said He is a confirmed Zionist. Hmmm BBS, you sure do waiver between excellent Judge and Zionism. BTW imagine what you would have said if Goldstone did not fall asleep during Sderots Presentation of actual Footage of film showing dmamge in Sderot when he was seen napping. Not much I suspect

'Your post explains the stupidity of the claim well enough. Some of the lightweights (#1) who make the claim really do believe that `absence of evidence` is the same as `evidence of absence`. They are the fools.' Well, as the 'lightweight fool' you reference, I must say I've been called worse things by better people. From where, exactly, do you get the moral and ethical authority to claim that your interpretion of Goldstone's report, and your views of its author and his motives, are so correct and so pure that all others are those of 'fools' and 'lightweights'? I was visiting the Sderot area when the rocket bombard first began. Where was Goldstone's outrage then? And yours? And why are you both unable to connect the dots between those rockets, and Cast Lead? You're suffering from 'selective outrage syndrome' (SOS), friend. It's otherwise known as hypocrisy. Not sure there's a cure for you, but try living in Sderot for a while.

It is true that the report spends many more describing the results of Israeli government actions than the results of Hamas actions. The words expended criticizing each side are roughly in the ratio of deaths inflicted. A militarily sophisticated country with extremely smart weapons simply cannot kill a hundred Palestinians for every Israeli and expect to be seen as civilized.

Here in the US we heard all about the annoying rockets fired into Sderot (which killed how many?). But we heard nothing about the plight of the Gazans, how Israel was strangling them, how they were starving, and how they looked out of their prison only to see their former homes. This is like the Germans complaining about the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

"It is indeed mind boggling, because any person reading the report would find that Goldstone pays a lot of attention to the issue of the missiles on Sderot." Alofs Have you even see the report? It's at least 30 pages on Israel for every paragaph about Hamas.

Why the focus only on Israel in it's war on terror?

If Israel were to let in all Pal civilians who wanted out of Gaza, there would be no one left in Gaza.

It has published many documents specifying how this was done. There is no reference whatsover to these documents.

He was UNBIASED and truthful blame Israel for refusing to even meet with him!

Blame your goverment for not cooperating, not Goldstone! Your goverment refuse to allow Goldstone to come to Israel why??

Goldstone is a man with the reputation of being balanced and rational. He is a Jew who is a credit to his profession and one whose efforts to ensure that the report which bears his name would be as objective as it is possible to be.On the basis of many of the responses it is clear that very few seem inclined towards the truth. Facts are ignored and instead irrelevant outbursts and rationalizations. The speculation as to why the Israeli Government prevented Goldstone from visiting rocket attack sites such as Sderot within Israel are at best fanciful. Israel's excesses were perpetrated day after day both in Lebanon and Gaza. The world was watching. There was no evidence of Israeli restraint. The disproportionate response to the rocket attacks (compare the number of casualties on both sides) was all the more shocking because Israel seemed single minded in its objective to destroy the Palestinian population and not only those who had taken up arms.

The issue is not what the man said or he didn`t say. The issue is WAR. Israel has been providing the Palestinian people for years,work, water, electricity and food. Why did Hamas decide to shell daily the hand that was feeding his people?- Giora Israel maintains Gaza as an open air prison. It controls the maritime border, the only international access Gaza has. It controls who may enter and who may leave .It also controls what may or may not be imported or exported, food, medicine, every essential of life. At one time it classified pasta as a weapon. BTW, Israel also destroyed the power station built with American funds. At one time it classified pasta as a weapon. In any country it is the obligation of the state to provide sustenance to those it keeps in prison. Why the Palestinians should want to resist being kept in an Israeli prison is not reasonable. They should be happy being coddled in luxury with no freedoms or worries. The Palestinians are so ungrateful for all that Israel has done for them the past 40 years.

Gold for the Arabs. Stone for the Jews.

You never cared about CV's or anything else. If a person with the best CV, and the best qualifications is criticizing the Palestinians you right away deny all his qualifications and CV,and if he will complement Israel,you will call him"right wing"war monger" That is how your moral compass is working. There are many rednecks in North Carolina,i know i've been there.

I have no objection to a report intended to help improve the morality of the way in which the combat operations are performed. I have read the report and it is clear that it's intention is PURELY political - to demonize Israel and legitimize Hamas. (Can't find evidence to support Hamas's use of human shields, hospitals, mosques etc - Hamas commanders are "credible witnesses" IDF reports are not). It's not because Gallstone is Jewish that is so infuriating, its that his extreme radical leftwing agenda is so obvious in this report and the last thing I would say it reflects justice - which is a travesty.

... compared to the human and material devastation in Gaza, there was little to see in Sderot and environs... ... thankfully this is due to Israel's laudatory policy of rehabilitating and rebuilding ASAP, not licking-wounds... ... however, Goldstone should have been credited with the astuteness and snsitivity to see beyond the rehabilitated material damage... to comprehend full well the psychological and community damage, that will take a long time to heal... ... he would have understood the heroism of the Sderot dwellers who persisted in remaining in their homes, under such dire and uncertain conditions...

These days who tells the truth is treated as a liar. We must accept the truth as it. Hamas pounded rockets to Sedrot and as you assumed targeted civilians but you as a israeli militants and the goverment is not only targeting civilians or children in particular but definitely intended to genocide them thorouhly.

A TRUE AMERICAN read the fact because of ISRAEL GOVERMENT Godstone could not! visit Israel and see what damage was done there. Now If israel had nothing to hide it should want his sideand fact out as well! BUt no!! Israel startaccusing with semetism Is usual. Only guilty people hide from the truth, so all of you out there! blame Israel from not cooperate!

I had the same thoughts as you. It is indeed mind boggling, because any person reading the report would find that Goldstone pays a lot of attention to the issue of the missiles on Sderot. Consequently it becomes clear that people like the mayor of Sderot show themselves to be econimical with the truth. And I am not even addressing the context of why the Qassam missilies kept on coming. Thanks indeed BBS News for your excellent post.

from someone living in the usa these comments are incredible when we assess iraq1&2 and afghanistan where the unhrc ignoresd all and didnt send this nitwit judge to condemn them ! a similar pass to sudan in darfur and russia in chechyna.

Your post explains the stupidity of the claim well enough. Some of the lightweights (#1) who make the claim really do believe that 'absence of evidence' is the same as 'evidence of absence'. They are the fools. However this masks something more pervading and insidious. Many use the illogical and unfounded charge of hypocrisy as a decoy for their real intention. To silence someone who dares to speak the truth. Especially when that someone has such a respectable pedigree and most importantly when he is one of their own. A Zionist, a supporter of Israel whose own daughter made aliyah. For such a person to speak out against the State of Israel. This is unpardonable and even merits worse terminology than 'hypocrite' . In some minds the ultimate insult of 'Kapo' comes to mind. Traitor. As Elie Wiesel someone never slow to criticize publicly when he feels the need, himself stated when questioned about Israel's possible misdemeanors: "I support Israel, period. I identify with Israel, period. I never attack, I never criticize Israel when I am not in Israel." That is the sort of supplicant Israelis wanted to see head the investigation. They will not forgive Goldstone for speaking out. It has nothing to do with the 8 years when he also never commented on Israeli acts of terror as in Lebanon or the Intifada during which thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed. That sort of silence is not called 'hypocrisy' but loyalty. When the UN criticize it is easy and reflexive for Israel to dismiss. When one of their own dares to speak out it is considered betrayal. The truth has no part to play in this matter.

flies in the face of just too many facts. The UN ordered an inquiry into the war because of specific charges about war crimes. Did Israel ask for an inquiry into Hamas rockets at any time over 8 years? Nope, so no point crying now! It refused to let Goldstone enter Israel to gather evidence, then says the report is one-sided! It pretends that rocket attacks caused the war, but these had dwindled to almost none under the ceasefire, despite the fact that Israel had not honoured the terms! It avoids the truth that Olmert attacked Gaza when he did because the election was coming up and 'tough' Israeli leaders throwing their weight around is a good election gambit in Israel. The war therefore had to be quick, deadly, with minimum Israeli casualties. Unfortunately, it was rather too deadly for Gaza civilians, due to the methods Israel employed. These methods are almost certainly war crimes. That is the harsh reality that the propaganda counter-offensive cannot sweep away.

You claim he is a hypocrite. I still do not believe you know the meaning of the word. Here is a dictionary definition of `hypocrite`. `A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess` Because you have no record of any statements by Goldstone on a subject does not make him a hypocrite. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Making such a silly claim does make you appear rather foolish though. Especially when you conveniently IGNORE that Goldstone INSISTED on the actions of Hamas being in his remit before he would undertake this investigation, as if that had NO bearing on his real views. Please explain. That a man so universally lauded [outside of Israel and redneck America]and who is on record as a firm supporter of Israel along with his immediate family can be denigrated with such alacrity by a muddling talk backer who changes his mind on events more frequently than a weather vein in a hurricane is lamentable. P.S. To underline the point. Goldstone is on record for his support of Israel, as is his family, but has not spoken out or been recorded condemning Israeli actions against Palestinians for the last 8 years since the intifada. Hence his criticism of Hamas in his final report is both indicative of his bias toward Israel and his condemnation of Hamas rockets is a sign of his gross hypocrisy. It might be rubbish but I used the same premise that you did to make your rubbish argument.

Your report came 8 years too late. Had you have been commissioned to make a report into Hammas rocket fire Into Israel 6 years ago.... Had your report been scathing against Hammas.... Had the UN responded by isolating Hammas and threatening to withdraw all but essential UN funding until Hammas would stop firing into Israel....then PERHAPS: 1. Gaza would not be under siege today. 2. Operation Cast Lead into Gaza by ISrael would have not eventuated. But of course the UN didn't act that way, and you Mr. Goldstotne are the UN's newest lap dog mascot who with your "fair mindedness and Jewishness" have given the UN the quasi legitimacy that they have been looking for so that they can keep on demonizing Israel.

The much touted "Report" is no more than a very mediocre ego trip for its "editor". As Shakespeare would have it "...Methinks thou dost protest too much". The report's true value is - to what extent it reflects the confabulations of its contributors. This report will eventually be filed away on the bookshelves reserved for the mediocre ramblings of "Mein Kampf" and children's books such as "Tintin au Congo"! Garbage is best wrapped in yesterday's newspaper!

If you bothered to read more, it was specifically the rockets. The concept of previous events goes back to the beginning of time and is called history. Where does yours begin?

Israel must focus on cast lead 2, free Shalit and finish where Cast lead left off!

But did his best to minimalize and trivialize them by burying them on page 450-something of the report. Placing their mention so deeply in the report, it won't be noticed by 90% or more of those who read it. Altogether it seems like a deliberate attempt to appear fair while being nothing of the sort.

"For example, on a number of occasions, the report says that "we do not have any reason to doubt" Palestinian sources. In other words, they give the Palestinian witnesses the benefit of the doubt. However, in evaluating Israel`s claims (e.g., that Israel tried to avoid killing innocent civilians), the report say that they cannot verify those claims." Israel didn't allow them into Israel. How can one verify something if they're not allowed to investigate it? BTW PREVENTING civilians from fleeing a war zone, by having ALL the crossings closed (incl those with Egypt, under the 2005 agreement), is trying to avoid civilian casualties? Care to explain....thx

Seems a lot of folk have never actually read the report, nor would they dare. They'd have to change too many words to make it fit their agenda.

If the Gaza offensive prompted the Goldstone report, why had not 8,000 rockets prompted nothing. An acknowledgment of "oh that too" is paltry.

ad" as a judge he is a total incompetent and continues to excuse and justify his stupidity ! the herd of kangaroos in this report makes one think it was held in oz and not gaza !

That is the POINT! Goldstone was employed by UNHRC who congratulated Sri Lanka after they killed many thousands of Tamil civilians. He was employed by those who said nothing during Hamas' bombing of Sderot, year after year. They, and that opportunist of Goldstone only woke up at the time of retribution, faking fairness in retrospect. Shame on Goldstone! As about the UNHRC, there is nothing to add that is not known perfectly well, even by the UN leaders...

...not judge Richard Goldstone. Your credibility has always been suspect but a quick look at Goldstone's CV tells me he is quite an accomplished jurist and international terrorism expert. And a wordsmith you ain't, this element I loved: "...self righteous conclusions which were based exclusively on Hamas propaganda..." Whaaat? I figure you are about fit to shine Judge Goldstone's shoes. Not much else.

Goldstone reached his conclusion that the Palestinians committed war crimes, but somehow that didn't show up until page 473 of the report. The truth certainly makes Goldstone look like he tried his best to avoid the issue and ignore the truth: that Palestinians committed war crimes continuously for 7 years before the UN did anything. Goldstone was silent between 2001 and 2008 and ignored the Palestinian war crimes. He only woke up when the UN offered him a cushy high-paying job, then he suddenly discovered the issues. Pathetic behavior by the UN, as usual. Pathetic excuses by the pro-Palestinian lobby who pretend that the Palestinians have a carte blanche to murder Jews with impunity. They don't. The Palestinians caused the Gaza war, and they have to deal with the consequences and put their leaders on trial for war crimes. Otherwise, the whole issue of "human rights" is simply the joke that the UN has made it.

How could Goldstone conclude that: a)No evidence of Humus using Human Shields (100's of IDF videos ignored). b)No evidence of Hospitals used as C&C centres ("ran out of time to investigate" - ha ha). etc ect And now the Mayor of Sderot is asking why 8 years of rockets drew 0 comments from UN Human Rights Council and was IGNORED by Goldstone AS THE BACKDROP TO HIS REPORT - Is Goldstone unable to answer this SIMPLE question??? Is his radical left wing agenda sticking out? JUDGES are meant to be UNBIASED and write reports that reflect JUSTICE.

Israel should launch a public investigation to determine the charges that the Goldstone committee was denied entry to Israel to investigate the Israeli perspective with respect to possible war crimes in Gaza. If it should be revealed that the refusal to cooperate was part of a "cover-up" on our part, the parties in our government responsible should be exposed and punished. If we have nothing to hide vis a vis our defensive policies and feel they are justified / required (as I do) then we can only harm ourselves (as we apparently have) by rebuffing those who attempt to collect data and report findings.

judge goldstone was selected to head a u.n. inquiry into alleged incidents that took place DURING "operation cast lead"(27dec08-18jan09). he hasn't spent the last 8 years investigating or monitoring the middle-east conflict. he was SPECIFICALLY sought out to head THIS inquiry because of his integrity as a judge in previous war crimes investigations and for his being both jewish and having pro-israel sentiments, because the u.n. fully anticipated israel's standard protestations of "bias". how ironic and sad, yet oh so typical of israel and its supporters, that the man's integrity and objectivity have brought on him the castigation and revile of a country and a people for whom he cares so much. what an unfortunate revelation it must be for him to have forced upon him the harsh lessons brought by the principles upon which zionism and its proponents rely to further their agenda: "you will lie, cheat, steal, deny, cover-up, and do and say anything it takes to promote and protect the zionist state of israel; or we will bring RUIN upon you and your good name!". mr. goldstone was not tasked with investigating the incidents that "led" to the attack on gaza; he was tasked with investigating incidents that took place DURING the attack on gaza. how stupid it IS to accuse mr. goldstone of "silence during eight years of terror rocketing on sderot before israel responded", when in fact he was involved in other things in other places. i've never met mr. goldstone, but i am intensely proud of him for his morality and integrity, and for his steadfast refusal to betray them, and his humanity, to zionist pressure. he's an exceptional man.

When Hamas fired from civilian areas in invited military response, and cynically used it's own citizen victims as propaganda fodder. Goldstone simply continues this process, now in the pseudo judicial arena. I would ask him simply, how would you react if you were a general or the Israeli Defence Chief? Keep letting your own citizens be victimized or attack the perpetrators? That is the real choice, and not some fantasy idealized Geneva convention rules that no army follows when confronted with real issues. Goldstone is being used by anti Zionist, anti semitic forces, and he is complying. Shame on him.

Remind us how much you care when Hamas children are OFFICIALLY incited in racism jihad and rejection? What do you think that leads to?Remind us again how much you cared over the years when Israeli children were killed none of whom were deliberately placed in danger.? Anything Israel allows through is much more than the Hamas,the elected government of Palestine) wishes to do (in writing to Israel). No problem at all eh?

7000 morters and Quassams falling on Israeli towns and injuring, maiming, and killing innocent civilians and Goldstone writes this rubbish. His report isn't worth the paper its written on. Truth be told Israel should have destroyed all of Gaza. maybe the Pals would have had to go back to Jordan where they came from.

"Israel has been providing the palestinian people for years, work, water, electricity and food." - G Israel sells this stuff at a premium profit. It gives NOTHING! "Why did Hamas decide to shell daily the hand that was feeding his people?" - G Israel was feeding NOBODY - one of the reasons for the shelling. The shelling was wrong. But so has the siege been, since 1967. "They killed so many of their own brothers of Fatah, why woud anyone feel sorry for them is beyond civilized people." - G You justify bombing children in a curious way. Hamas might be 2% of the actual population. The vast majority are children for whom you care, what????

The rockets fired at Sderot "possibly" constitute crimes against humanity? Feh.

arrested for incitement and sent to Gaza to be with his fellow thugs. He has done incalculable harm to Israel with his lies and self righteous conclusions which were based exclusively on Hamas propaganda,lies and deceit.

Those who haven't read the report have no interest in facts. Face it, you have to be an antisemite, self-hating Jew who is an Arabist lackey. Only if your report said that the IDF were the perfect warriors and humanity personified and nobody in Gaza had died and no destruction was wrought would your critics be satisfied. The fact that you found human children in Gaza and said some died doomed your report in Israeli political eyes. The fact that during the 8 year lead up, nobody asked you to report is not relevant. You were supposed to report daily and decry the Hamas war crimes daily in the Israeli press, even if they would not have printed your out of country views. After all what would Rwanda have done if rockets were coming from the Congo?

Havent noticed you getting excited about Hamas use of civillian facilities to attack Israeli civillians?

Goldstone slept while being presented with the evidence. The best he could do for his bosses.

The issue is not what the man said or he didn't say. The issue is WAR. Israel has been providing the palestinian people for years, work, water, electricity and food. Why did Hamas decide to shell daily the hand that was feeding his people? War is bad. We all knew it before it started and Hamas had 8 years to think it over. Now they cry. Oh well, I dare to say that if the parties were in reversed positions, there would not be left a single Israeli alive in Gaza unless they need to get for him a 1000 of there own...They killed so many of their own brothers of Fatah, why woud anyone feel sorry for them is beyond civilized people.

Why was no investigation done before the Israeli response. All of a sudden they are concerned with human rights.

He might not have said anything because the attacks on Sderot in world terms were no big deal. There are a lot of people (Tsusi, Muslims dealing with Serbia, locals in the Congo, etc.) who would have thanked God if they could be in a place so safe that only three children were killed in eight years.

Dear Goldstone, it is not about the probe, is about the eight years that you were silent.

...does the U.N. feel the need to say anything. Also, why is there no report regarding the "crimes" of the U.S. and others in Afghanistan and Iraq?. Or any of the 40+ other wars going on in the world, for that matter?

For example, on a number of occasions, the report says that "we do not have any reason to doubt" Palestinian sources. In other words, they give the Palestinian witnesses the benefit of the doubt. However, in evaluating Israel's claims (e.g., that Israel tried to avoid killing innocent civilians), the report say that they cannot verify those claims. In other words, they DO NOT give Israel the benefit of the doubt. In addition, I would estimate that about 90-95% of the report focuses on Israel's "crimes." What a crock!

Buskila wants to know why Goldstone and the UN WERE SILENT FOR 7 YEARS while the Palestinians carried out war crimes, and only after Israel retaliated in an attempt to end the rocket attacks did the UN finally do anything. Well?

Buskila wants to know why Goldstone and the UN WERE SILENT FOR 7 YEARS while the Palestinians carried out war crimes, and only after Israel retaliated in an attempt to end the rocket attacks did the UN finally do anything. Well?

...acting as if Israel did not respond with overwhelming force killing hundreds of civilians in retaliation over those years and mostly firing the first shots every time is undermining Israel's legitimacy as a viable democracy that follows the rule of law. Richard Goldstone's mission report lists Sderot alone sixty-eight times. Those that actually read the report cannot help but be stunned that there are people like you still yet, defending the indefensible.

The complete version (all 540 pages) of Goldstone's fact finding report , in English, can be found on the following site: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/UNFFMGC_Report.pdf

The Comission spent days on the subject of Sderot.Go read it instaed of posting lies and inuendo here. Goldstone could easily have taken Israel,s refusal as an admission of guilt and find accordingly. But you sad apologists cannot stand the thought that you might be wrong so you avoid the truth at all costs. He did you a favour by even listening to the people from Sderot. Because he is fair. If the position was reversed you would be one of the first pointing out who did not show up. Give up digging---the hole is already deep enough.

but for you that is a perfectly convenient place to start. If you had you read the report you would know that the lead up to Cast lead was discussed and is included in the report.They addressed Israeli violent actions in the west Bank and indeed Palestinian vIOlence in response.Illegal Settlements et al. In any event the Commission states that Israel,s actions were specifically designed to punish the Palestinian people and teach them a lesson for electing Hamas. Odd that is it not,Considering Hamas were encouraged to run for election by Bush and the leaders of Israel to create a chasm amongst the Palestinian people. The comission stated that the response was in no way excusable in terms of it,s intensity versus the military gains achieved. You really should suss out these subjects before posting from Ireland.You might be accused of being a drunk. Oh but wait, that only happens to Irish people who oppose the policies of successive Israeli govs. Strange that --is it not.

or they are as dumb as, if any of you have read the report you'de see that you have been caught out lying as ususal, not to mention that goldstone could NOT be more thorough because you wouldn't let him inspect and investigate, then you have a nerve to chastise him? pathetic losers, every single one of you.

Mayor asked him: why did not you come to investigate war crimes committed by Hamas PRIOR to Israeli offensive? And Mr. Goldstone answered: We did not ignore Hamas crimes in our report which we made AFTER Israeli offensive. I wonder: is it just English or something more fundamental?

"judge" galstone (a u.n. kapo)should be invited under escort,to enjoy the qassams falling on kindergardens and other civilian spots in Sderot.Maybe one of the rockets closes his brilliant career for good...

was on CNN prime time morning show. He says folks like you that attack his report are Jews who feel that the fact that he is a Zionist Jew means, according to your view and other complainers, that he never should question Israel's actions no matter how aggregious. Further he began to enumerate some things he complained of, wanton destruction of infrastructure, destroying egg industry, plow Pal fields with large plows to destroy their ability to feed themself, clearly hateful, which he says is a tactic used by you and yours to harm civilians so they will turn against Hamas, which he admits many view as fighters against occupation. He lays out a verrrrry long list of support he has given to Israel, unlike lip synchers like you. As he pointed out, he looked at proportinality of each side and says you guys just punished the civilian population. Hmmm, tell you what, his credibility far exceeds that of Netayahoo, and you for that matter. He says its 'tribalism' by u to not face truth!

How blessed your country is having such a splendid soothsayer like you ! Humane one at this ,one who married a mistress of the Colombian FARC leader and complains she is searched at every airport . But his jaundice is reserved not for his own country ,whose federal employees conduct this searches ,but at the far away Israel . What an altruistic man ,wishing more Qassams at Sderot ,a true honorary member of the Ntureu Karta ,sharing with him the same jaudiced views . Put a fur hat on Colin Wright ,move to Williamsburg and be done with it .

the report is fair and balanced, and it will lead the guilty towards the Hague.` Hirz, as a fellow Canadian, you of all people should know that one cannot be presumed to be guilty until proven so and in this case by the International Court at the Hague. So the guilty cannot be lead to the Hague, only the accused. The guilty will be lead away from the Hague. Does that includeHamas as well or only Israel.

If Goldstone had been allowed to come to Israel and talk to us folks too, he might well have been able to begin his report with the history you ask for. But we decided not to cooperate with Judge Goldstone because our government KNEW IN ADVANCE that the report would be biased. We Jews elect our leaders for their powers of prophecy, don't you know.

"I take, admittedly, an extremely negative, jaundiced view of Israel and all things Israeli." So Mr. Wright, why should anyone take you seriously? why do you read and respond to articles from a newsparer whose country and people you despise? why does this newspaper publish your opinions and others who seek their destruction? Israelis are naive because they do not recognize the bigotry couched in a foreign language expressed by the English language posters on haaretz talkback. I have not read Judge Goldstone's report. I do know that 8,000 rockets were fired at Israel before they acted to defend themselves. Any country would have done the same. There has been no UN Human rights commission on the Sudan over Darfur, China over Tibet, Tianniming Square, etc, Iran for killing innocents during the recent election etc. Only Israel and the Jews are singled out.

the commission took testimony of Israelis in Israel. Israel did not stop G/Commission from taking testimony; Israel refused to volunteer any info from state representatives and agents. He lies , distorts and ignores the truth yet again. The more G talks the worse he reveals himself to be. His self aggrandizing and moralizing has become repugnant

It is like obtaining testimony from the brother of a mobster. This white flag incident that armchair terrorists keep me tioning included.

For those complaining about the silence on the 8 years of war crimes (the rocket fire), are you similarly complaining about the 40 years of silence on that other continuing war crime (the settlements)? Both got mentioned in the report. Both are war crimes that are still being committed. And if the lack of public statements on the one by Goldstone shows his bias, then I guess he was biased against the Palestinians too. (Wait, what do you call someone who is biased against both sides? Balanced is the usual term)

His findings are in line with all other human rights organizations that have inquired into Cast Lead, Israelis included. The attacks against him are ridicules and result of a blind hateful Israeli propaganda. Instead of looking in the mirror and engage in self reflection Israel is choosing to keep blind and attack. The world is watching and the respect Israel once enjoyed unfortunately is disappearing. Hopefully a sane voices and leadership emerge soon before the damage is irreversible.

It's the ultimate cynicism by Gldston and the UN.

fact is that during all the years when hamas and other terrorists attacked israel and especially sderot, there was no probe by the united nations. only when israel started to defend itself by the january-war in gaza, a un-commission was sent for a probe. that's the point, mr. goldstone. you should have probe the attacks of palestinian terrorists before the gaza-war. maybe then there wouldnt even have been the gaza-war!

If Goldstone had begun his report with the history of rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel leading up to the invasion, both Israel and the world may have had a different reaction to his work. Goldstone is either very naive or betraying the concept of a "fair and balanced" mandate.

That is the POINT! Goldstone was employed by UNHRC who congratulated Sri Lanka after they killed many thousands of Tamil civilians. He was employed by those who said nothing during Hamas' bombing of Sderot, year after year. They, and that opportunist of Goldstone only woke up at the time of retribution, faking fairness in retrospect. Shame on Goldstone! As about the UNHRC, there is nothing to add that is not known perfectly well, even by the UN leaders...

the first words in the Koran were "READ" seems to me that all you who criticized this report failed to do just that, none of you READ the report, yet you are making accusations and criticizing without even understanding! the report is fair and balanced, and it will lead the guilty towards the Hague.

Don't want to read or can't read?

the mayor of sderot is talking about your silence during eight years of terror rocketing on sderot before israel responded.

fact is that during all the years when hamas and other terrorists attacked israel and especially sderot, there was no probe by the united nations. only when israel started to defend itself by the january-war in gaza, a un-commission was sent for a probe. that's the point, mr. goldstone. you should have probe the attacks of palestinian terrorists before the gaza-war. maybe then there wouldnt even have been the gaza-war!

The Goldstone report is very thorough and states clearly that both Hamas and Israel are guilty of serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. I say put both Hamas and Israeli government officials on trial at the Hague and let the chips fall where they may. If they are innocent they will have the opportunity to defend themselves. If they are guilty than they should be subject to the fullest extent of the law. It is the same old song and dance from Israel though that anytime there is criticism of her than those responsible are biased or anti-semites. Simply put, that argument simply isn't goint to fly anymore.

It is unfortunate that many cannot speak truths,even when it smacks them in the face. BBSNews, Swiss (Dino), and the rest of their Jew hating entourage keep demanding we read the report and it will show the "truth." OK,READ IT!In a release by Pillay,UNHRC commissioner,some truths come out clearly!Of the 550+ plus pages,only 2 discuss the Hamas atrocities! The TITLE of the report clearly indicates the bias BEFORE the report- "Violations of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories."The "debate" regarding the initial report included 25 countries-19 Muslim; Brazil which kidnapped a Jewish child and under RC Church pressure refuses to return him; Cuba an N Korea which both call for the demise of Israel.Pillay ADMITS in her release that the testimony of Sderot residents were purposely omitted from the final report.AT NO POINT in her comments does Pillay mention ANYTHING about Hamas crimes.The report,a nd its presentation speaks for itself - The new Protocols of the Elders of Zion

fact is that during all the years when hamas and other terrorists attacked israel and especially sderot, there was no probe by the united nations. only when israel started to defend itself by the january-war in gaza, a un-commission was sent for a probe. that's the point, mr. goldstone. you should have probe the attacks of palestinian terrorists before the gaza-war. maybe then there wouldnt even have been the gaza-war!

That is the POINT! Goldstone was employed by UNHRC who congratulated Sri Lanka who killed many thousands of Tamil civilians. He was employed by those who said nothing during Hamas' bombing of Sderot, year after year. They, and that opportunist of Goldstone only woke up at the time of the extremely delayed retribution, faking fairness in retrospect. Shame on Goldstone! As about the UNHRC, there is nothing to add that the whole civilized world, including the UN leaders themselves, doesn't know perfectly well...

If one is having a fight with someone else and is beeing critized by many others, what's the best thing to do? Go and ask your true friends, the ones you like. So, Jews from Israel, why don't trust the diaspora Jews.Their opinion is very reliable.

Now why do you think that is? A few rockets here and there, drive the residents of S Israel even more crazy and maybe spark off another invasion with more innocent Palestinians killed. Think outside the box because either Hamas are totally dim or else they understand how dim the World community is. Cynical I may be but it sure has paid off for Hamas so far. Hasn't it?

Read other Israeli news sites. It seems as though Ha'aretz alone is on Goldstone's side.

your so right BBS---It would seem that a self hating Jew is defined by some hear as a Jewish person that dares to Criticize Israel --The logic of this suggests that a Self loving Jew is a Drone -Reminds me of the borg from Star-trek

"I know they're suffering in Gaza, but why are they firing rockets here?" about a year ago? Israel seals Gaza, kills children, bombs the power station, destroys Gazans way of life, all with support of Israelis, including the Mayor of Sderot. But he's cross that Hamas dared fire back? 8000 rockets from Hamas, hundreds of thousands from Israel - why not mention the second number? Or does it dilute the victimhood the mayor is trying to cultivate? Hard to claim you're the victim when you deliberately kill 100 children for every child of yours who has died.

If you actually read the report you will find a balanced report that adress war crimes from both sides. It is not so that if Hamas comits war crimes its OK that Israel does it, or if Israel comits war crimes its OK Hamas does it. Internasjonal law is universal and is for everyone. Deliberat killings of civilians and deliberat targeting of civilian infrastructure is equaly wrong despite the side doing it. Either by rockets, planes, drones or by ground troops. The fundamental principle is that the wast majority of Israelis and palestinins are peacfull civilians that have the right to be protected and the fighting parties have to protect them. The occupying power also have to give the ocupied population some minimum protection and needed basics for a safe and healthy life.

Why didnt he and his mates threaten Hamas with ICC over past 8 years

Those were pretty impressive statistics you quoted from Goldstone's report. Let's see...in your letter you have accounted for eleven of the missiles Hamas catapulted into defenceless Sderot that Goldstone's report mentioned. Pray tell, what about the other 7989 you seem to have conveniently ignored? That expedient oversight reveals something about the extent of your substance. And one wonders what Goldstone also missed when he slept through the very few Israeli presentations actually made to the "commmission". I suppose this amounts to sins of "omission". Just like your letter.

He acknowledges crimes, but offers no solution, no retaliation, nothing to stop it? Is it cynicism or idiocy or is he just so assimilated, he does not realize, what actually he said? What does he suggest to stop his dear friends from Hamas?

Any after the fact, fact-finding missions are useless. Hamas can easily intimidate and/or manipulate would be victims. Secondly, Goldstone is interviewing Hamas-sympathizing public. What stops them from lying? How would IDF know that white-flag carrying people are civilians and not a ploy to get closer to blow up soldiers? Hamas is known to use civilians and civilian infrastructure to wage war.

The cycle goes on. Every one who speaks against Israels crime is anti-semetic. Please save it. Time will come and justice will be served to all.

Perhaps you should read mayors letter. He is not claiming that Goldstone Report does not mention Sderot. He is saying that Goldstone and many like him were silent while Hamas fired 12,000 rockets. He kicked off a probe only after Israel responded.

he was not talking about the probe but the UN and it's behaviour of eight long years.

Judge Goldstone: The issue is, where were you and you employers during the 8 years previous to Israels incursion? You and your handlers are the criminals who forced Israel to end its compassionate patients.

This is like being employed to hitler and then hitler sending him out to do a report on the jews crimes against humanity. everyone knows that lawyers are avle to represent any position with seemingly rational arguments. He went to work for those who would slaughter the jews at first chance. He sees nothing wrong with this.

"Goldstone's report awakened criticism of a one-sided investigation, as he accused both Israel and Hamas of war crimes ...." So a balanced investigation would have accused only one side of war crimes? Ha!

I don't understand where this letter OR where the comments come from...I mean...did anyone of you actually bother to READ the report before criticizing it? Even though the Fact Finding Mission was NOT allowed into Israel (nor Gaza nor Israel) by Israel, they still managed to collect an extensive amount of data concerning Hamas' attacks on Israel (mostly Sderot) and in the conclusion it is mentioned that NOT just israel should investigate HR violations, but Hamas also. Goldstone ONLY agreed to took on the assignment if the report would be 'equal', meaning investigating 'BOTH sides' and ALL HR violations, who ever committed them. READ THE REPORT, people! it's a LEGAL investigation, if you don't even bother to reading the actual report (which means: you cannot handle the truth about Israel), then just don't say anything about something you haven't even read.

Those who testified and were ignored. Also, try looking at the HRC and tell me with a straight face that it is anywhere approaching objective.

...let me ask her Haaretz. Judy, obviously you have not read the report. I have, and it is amazingly well balanced considering the politics involved. Can you explain why IDF forces who shot Gaza civilians dead who were carrying white flags should *not* be prosecuted under international law? You're going on about international law for everyone else but Israel. Maybe later we can chat about bombing chicken egg producing facilities and sewage treatment plants.

Hear hear.

I didn't count the number of times sderot was mentioned; I said that testimony from Sderot victims was completely ignored. So yeah, go back to reading the Protocols

It's fascinating how far removed diaspora Jews are from the cruel & harsh realities which plague western existence in the region. They approach every scenario as if mutual values are universal and that chivalry, honesty & truth always persevere.

...Sderot was mentioned sixty-eight times in the Goldstone Report. Indeed, Richard Goldstone refused to accept the mission unless the issue of rockets was addressed. Instead of throwing up his hands in the face of Israeli intransigence by refusing to let him go to Sderot, Goldstone still gave lengthy treatment to the rockets. What boggles the mind is both you, the mayor of Sderot and several other wingnuts here are willing to keep on lying when anyone who reads the report will know that you are lying. How do you folks think lying will help Israel when it is especially so transparent of a lie?

600 pages based unpon Hamas authorized "terstimonies" and a few lines about rockets from Hamas upon the Israeli civilians. Goldstone is not a self hated jew, he is just an ultra pretentious person able to sell his mother for the sake of appearing a good guy to the majority.

"In August 2008, according to Israeli sources, three mortars and eight rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip. They included a rocket which struck Sderot on 11 August 2008,121 prompting Israel?s closure of the crossings, as well as a rocket fired on 20 August 2008, which once again led to the closure of the border crossings." - A/HRC/12/48, page 77, paragraph 249 (Goldstone Report) It seems that a lot of very ignorant people are proving their substance on these forums.

it seems to me that terrorists do not have to follow the norm's of the western world/ international laws. when they are accused of possible crimes against humanity they don't care and continue to terrorize.when the terrorized country reacts back and defends itself using as much force as is needed so that the terrorists think twice.then that country gets judged and is accused of war crimes against humanity. of course we care,of course wars are painful and horrific..but a democratic country has to defend it's population. if not... then we get killed. obviously judge goldstone and his family has never had to run into a bomb shelter in response to his close terrorist neighbors shooting bombs into his neighborhood. maybe he might change his mind. his report just makes it easier for terrorists to operate within in the confines of the law...how strange.do we want to be right or smart?

Actually, what Goldstone INTENTIONALLY deleted from his report is the most telling of the report - testimony by Israelis that he purposely censored from both the report and his comments! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3783109,00.html

for you. You have tarnished your reputation with your sham report. Instead of pressing your luck, you should just keep silence if you wish to preserve any of your positive reputation sill remained in people's minds.

Palestinians were herded into a camp called gaza walled in and bombed...

As has been reported, the Goldstone "commission" heard evidence from Sderot families and simply ignored it. No surprises there.

Of course, what's actually IN the Goldstone Report is almost irrelevant. It's the principle: that Israel's behavior could actually be condemned, and justly, cannot be admitted. So it's entirely predictable that the mayor of Sderot would claim the report ignores the suffering of his town when it doesn't, and berate Goldstone for not coming to see, when it was Israel itself that wouldn't permit him. I take, admittedly, an extremely negative, jaundiced view of Israel and all things Israeli. What's interesting is that this paradigm always seems to perfectly predict her behavior.

Compounding his allegations and wholly one-sided report, Mr Goldstone seems unable and willing, even at this time of atonement in the Jewish calendar, to admit the truth, much less apologise, to Mayor Buskila - that he, Goldstone, simply remained silent whilst Sderot, its children, families, homes and schools, were pounded for eight long years by the thugs of Hamas. Yet another lesson in the hypocrisy and mean-spiritedness of the anti-Israel bashers ... and a sharp lesson to this old Anglican in what exactly a self-hating Jew is all about. MV