Israel: UN 'detached from reality' for adopting Goldstone report

Israel was created by a UN resolution and they were quite thankful when others thought otherwise. Israel, of all countries, should recognize the legitimate viewpoint of the UN

Who would understand the writing on the side of the cases if it were in Farsi English is an International Language Sionce you mentioned rattling, check your overhead, you have some loose marbles

Let the first trial be that of the Belgian's that subjugated and Brutalized the Belgian Congo

The time has come that this issue is brought to the attention of the International Court of Justice, where a full and thorough look will be given and the political/military leadership will be held accountable. It will be a milestone; not only for the respect and upholding of human rights and international law in the case of Israel/Palestine, but also a big warning and deterrent for similar behaviours and actions by other states in the future.

You are absolutely correct, Israel is on the front line defending Western civilization and the US knows and appreciates this. A civilization that uses lies, deceit, and provocation in order to wage wars of agression to achieve regime change und to punish a people for voting for the wrong leaders. A civilization that invents new terms like enemy combatants instead of POWs to be able to torture, or enemy instead of occupied territory to be able to starve a people and destroy whats left of the enviroment. The Goldstone report really is biased as it tries to defend the indefensible: the war of agression, that judge Jackson at the Nuremberg trial described as follows: To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole. Read Michael Neumanns How We Became Barbarians, it uncovers the hypocrisy of western civilization. The effort to adjust laws in order to suit or defend our behavior shows how low we have sunk - no more proof needed! Power is might and might is right!

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the resolution was flawed in several respects, including its failure to name the Hamas militant movement that rules Gaza. He also said a demand for international supervision of any Israeli and Palestinian investigations was "unhelpful." First thing: Hamas is the legally elected government of Palestine - A DEMOCRACY which the US wanted, until they got it! Then we have,international supervision of any Israeli and Palestinian investigations, "unhelpful." Meaning: Both the US and Israel (same thing really) do NOT want "outsiders" looking too closely at anything which involves Israel. The guaranteed result of such scrutiny would result in another "Goldstone report". Simple fact! And, boys and girls, let's NOT FORGET just which side broke the cease-fire. ALL together now, ISRAEL DID!

The only nation culpable for more civilian deaths and chaos in the world than israel is america. israel should move to Brooklyn, the only corner of the Earth that might welcome them.

As a Canadian I am proud that my country voted against the Goldstone report.

of the Goldstone report. Well done Michael Martin. Bet you did not please Alan Shatter----good. Let the world see that Ireland does not support the war crimes Israel is comitting on an hourly basis.

Years ago there was a joke circulationg in Israel about Ben-Gurion who was on a visit to an insane aylum. He was told that one particular inmate insisted that he was Ben-Gurion. The PM asked to see him. When he came out the asylum's psychiatrist could not determine who was who. What and whose reality are Israel's leaders talking about? Reality is like truth-, and both are not synonymous with facts that are supported by verifiable documentation. Jews rail against Holocaust deniers who select to ignore or nullify what has been documented for posterity. What took place in Gaza is a matter of record. The discussion is about interpretation of motives and the evidence for them is circumstential but compellig.

Let the Israeli govrn't prove their innocence once and for all...Get this over with. They need to tend to this instead of rattling swords and diverting attention about Iran weapons --that had english writing on the side of the crates-!

Crimes against humanity should be the spark that ignites all Jews to action. We should be appalled by any institution that gives rebirth to such crimes. And we should be joined in this dismay by the Russians, the Poles and much of Europe that suffered alongside us during the dark years of the mid-20th century. Powerful states over and over again rationalize vile acts in the interest of security. Many states have signed agreements to admonish such acts, but crimes against humanity keep reppearing and are ignored. Each time it is because a new threat is perceived or conjured. Many times the threat is the direct result of failures on the part of that state to exercise truth and justice. It is time to uphold truth and justice to achieve peace. We should not accept the emotional and irrational rantings of Israel's and the USA's leaders. It is time to openly and clearly shout our objections to such a travesty in Gaza and the West Bank. End the occupation! Restore human rights.

Actually Israel is on the front line defending Western civilization against the worst totalitarian threat ever. The US knows and appreciates this. The retrograde Marxists and ISM zombies who haunt this site are blinded by ideology. Their language does not accurately describe. The Goldstone Report is irrelevant. Corn is high, fish are jumping.

You Arabs have been dreaming Israel's demise and destruction for the last 60 years. Meanwhile Israel has been prospering and getting stronger. Israel is here to stay and continue to be an example democracy and progress for the world while you guys stay entangled in your corruption and hate.

Oh really? Well Israel is only popular on the international stage because her and her people are little, insignificant pawns in the greater Western geopolitical struggle for oil and war profiteering, since its very inception. A country destined for ever lasting war and destruction. Congratulations Israel. Canada will be around LONG after Israel is history. Komeini was right... the Zionist regime will be erased from the pages of time. And not because the "Jew Haters" of the world want to "wipe her off the map". AIPAC isn't as strong as you would like to think, rather military industrial and big energy rule Washington, along with the big banks and the Pharma Industry. Your little peon country only serves western interests through war and destruction... the West's little toy... enjoy your demise.

at san remo 1920 the Jewish state was allocated land which includes present day jordan jews now occupy only 10% which includes the dead sea gallilee and the negev desert !

Zionists are detached from the real reality. Their image of reality is constructed in such a way that they can see themselves as moral superhumans. Instead, the rockets from Gaza could easily have been stopped by an agreement with Hamas. Hamas wanted such an agreement, but Israel did not want to lift the blockade on humanitarian goods. The Gaza War was fought in order not to do any concessions to Hamas. These "concessions" had nothing to do with security, but everything with Zionism's drive to take as much as possible of Palestine from the Palestinians.

Any chance the Arabs get to stik it to Israel in the UN, they take. This vote is not too meaningful except to note that 62 countries (those who voted against plus those who abstained) stood with Israel.

Israel and Jew Haters on Haaretz talkback. The anti-semites will find a way to delegitimize the investigation even before it has started much less agree with its' findings. Criticism of Israel is not anti-semitism they bellow. It is when you ignore all other human rights abuses around the world. Michael lists names like Deir Yassin, Qaana etc. He ignores the Crusades, the expulsion of Jews from the UK in 1286, the blood lobel against the Jews blamed for the Bubonic Plague in the UK, the slave trade, the massacre of civilians in India and elsewhere, the bombing of Dresden and other acts of British brutality committed over centuries. Has their even been an investigation into these. British hypocrisy is a well established phenomenon.

The majority of countries in the world disagree with what Israel is doing to the Palestinians. Israel has many (but not all) of its citizens condemning a Jewish judge named Goldstone. It wants the world to accept its crimes against descendants of the ancient Israelites, i.e., the Palestinians who don't follow Judaism. If Palestinians followed Judaism like their ancestors, then Israel wouldn't be saying the world is not with reality when it says war crimes against Palestinans are not acceptable. Look, it's plain as day that using cluster bombs in Lebanon, using white phosphorous in civilian areas shows that Israel is acting like misguided imperial power. It's becoming a fanatical, Jewish, nationalist state. Is this what Herzl had in mind? How far is Israel really from the Europe of the 1930s in mentality? Unfortunately, not very far off. It breaks my heart to see such behavior.

The UN is us, the world community -- not some alien body. ;-)

Israel would still be an outsider.

How many of you posting have actually read the entire Goldstone Report?

If it looks at the specific instances in the Goldstone report, it has to find war crimes as internationally defined- and as specifically described in the report, as they were so clear to the world watching. Israel then would have to pursue some scapegoats- surely including Olmert, Livni, Barak, Ashkenazi- or state that it does not recognise any international law. (Perhaps the real truth). The convenient option of course is not to have the investigation.

Sondheim says it best: Mr Goldstone we love you!

Quote "never mind what anyone else says" that includes you , ----------------- If undermined and/or weak is your personal and/ or collective faith in the IDF , Attorney General , the Supreme Court and/or Israel citizenry consciouness. The liberty loving Zionist Jewish State of Israel still must not undertake a "independent" investigation of the Cast Lead campaign. Because your call over quote 'paper over the cracks with clichés and blanket' are a surrender to submission to the clichés and blanket'of the rejected miseries and fortunes of dhimmitude , pallyood , llusions , lies extortions , etc... The included etc... is what the enemies of the Jewish State excel at in front of most of the foreigners and those locals like you . Yes and although the minority state of Israel is part , active , productive and beneficial member of the UN world but as many other recognised , legitime , legal states so is the liberty loving Zionist Jewish State of Israel jealous of its sovereignty for endless generations to come. So NO to predertemined , pefabricated , prejudicial UNHR Godlstone Report , and NO to UN and UNHR call for independent investigation .

what a joke obama has become...so let's see, he says, if you unclench your fist... blah blah..so what does iran do? they continue to supply insurgents with IED's that kill americans, they continued to build their secret plant at QOM, they celebrate the 1979 hostage taking, they call obama a man with a smile and a knife, they ship arms to terrorists groups as clearly witnessed yesterday, and all the while, obama, the jerk, keeps on with his naive BS saying how they respect the iranians and are ready to talk...I mean, how transparent can this pussy be? he is being made to look like a fool and the left can say what they want, but the truth is, his foreign policy is a disaster. In his war, the good war as his team positioned it, he is proving to be a totally weak kneed decision maker, he messed up the israeli -palestinian process, messed up on gitmo, refuses to use legitimate torture to get answers from murderers, but sneekily continues rendition..he is a farce.

Goldstone - ONE righteous man standing against a horde of barbarians. My admiration for this man is immeasurable ! Jewish admirer

Israel`s hands are tied. There will be no "Cast Lead II" because that would spell the end of Israel`s little land stealing games. 1) Just ask Hammas to do it again. Another abducted soldier. Some kind of provocation. Or Hizabalh...just try again. Then you will get Cast lead III with no hands tied, and that will probably happen when Obama is be deep inside Afghanistan bombing Waziristan. You seem to forget that is America which is involved in a colonial war killing by hundreds. Israel just keep the pace. 2) Little land stealing. You just mentioned it. Very little to care about. The world does not care about and H Clinton just mentioned it. Settlements only be dealt when peace conversations are reopened without pre conditions. That means...never.

when it comes to so many international matters for which their actions, perceptions, and failures are so glaringly poor , it should make any reasonable individual weep for the future of an incompetent world body such as this.

-ror, as they have been all too willing to either not act or act in such a way in the past to allow genuine crimes against humanity to occur and continue. No one ever accused the UN of having any intelligence or sense. Praise those countries with enough sense and backbone to vote against this fallacy of a report

Sir, the Gaza-war was initiated by ex-PM E. Olmert (Kadima)and masterminded by ex-CoGS and Minister for War Mr. E. Barak. When Israel today cries foul because of the Goldstone Report then one must say that the military brass is detached from reality if they believe that campaigns like in Gaza are not monitored;you will remember that a couple of IDF soldiers complained about the ruthless campaign and on top of that an Israeli general confirmed that the Pals. were almost defenseless. When it comes to the moral of the IDF it would be better not to mention that. In Al Ahram you could read about a senior Israeli commander who committed war crimes only to become an Israeli minister later.The Jewish Judge R. Goldstone asked the American Obama Admin. where there are the mistakes in his report, there was no answer to it and the Israeli FM A. Lieberman and his Ministry could not be of help; nevertheless his ambassador hesitated to follow the debate. Is Israel "detached from reality?"

Germany is one of the few countries that voted against the resolution. Once again the country has proven to be a staunch supporter of Israel. It is surprising how this support - not for the first time - escapes the attention of the Israeli media, and in this case, Haaretz (naming all EU countries voting against the resolution except for Germany). Or is it because Germany's support for Israel has become so self-evident it does not even need to be mentioned anymore?

If the IDF has nothing to hide, if the self-described "most moral army in the world" is entirely proud of its actions during Operation Cast Lead, than why not allow an international investigation in Gaza, to show off how moral they are? Unless of course they have something to hide...

NATO and Western military policies are and will remain to obey the rules of war and not needlessly target or kill civilians, indeed to get them out of harm's way wherever possible. You and the government in Jerusalem, along with quite a few other states - you cite Russia in Chechnya - appear to hold civilian life cheap (as long as it's not their own civilians of course). I would think that the chances of the rules of war changing in this respect are about zero. No Western commander is going to buy unrestrained attacks on civilians, because apart from being cowardly and immoral, it is also totally counter-productive. It is also completely unnecessary, as it is perfectly possible (for professional soldiers anyway) to meet and beat insurgents one-to-one without having to blitz every town in the neighbourhood. I think your view will lose because the world is trying to go forward to brighter, sunlit uplands, not backwards to some primitive era.

Sure, the minute the U.N started calling the occupier self defense and the occupied terrorist is the minute when the U.N got the detached label.

No more cover for Israeli atrocities by the UN. The UN was skewed and unfair when the US provided blanket veto coverage for Israel and the party is over. War crimes arrests, taking responsibility for war crimes, etc... Time has come to pay the piper, no longer will Israel recieve carte blanche in the UN. ITs about time.

In Europe only 5 states (Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Switzerland) voted for the report. The rest of them either abstained or voted against. Abstention is equivalent to a NO because the countries that have abstained basically are sacred from Arab reaction in their respective countries, but support Israel. North America and Australia voted against. The result: Negligable support for this report from the credible democracies of the world.

How are Jewish American Liberals thinking now? http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/11/antiisrael_animosity_comes_fro.html

This is too funny. hahahhahahahahahhahahah Will somone stop me hahahahah ahahah ahahahha ahaha aha

Israel is an apartheid, ethnocentric state that was founded on terrorism. it stands in direct violation of international law and countless UN resolutions. Keep up the good work guys, your desperately lame and transparent excuses for the daily workings of the worlds only violently enforced colonial settler movement help give a more sound and convincing relief to the moral vacuity of Israel and their defenders. If Israel was not simultaneously running the worlds only violently enforced colonial settler movement, you might have a point. Also, if, during the period between 2000 and 2009 that Hamas shot those thousands of Rockets, Israel had not shot 14500 mortars into Gaza, you might also have a point. But you don't. Out of touch with reality. That;s Israel.

"Yonatan, NEVER AGAIN. ...Israel`s hands are tied. There will be no "Cast Lead II" because that would spell the end of Israel`s little land stealing games." Israel's hands aren't tied because that report isn't going anywhere. Cast Lead was about stopping rocket attacks, not to gain territory. Wisen up, puppet.

It is good that with your know-it ?all attitude you found it possible to ask that question. Since your reality comes to you through the reports of absolutely unbiased and impartial reporters and Israel on the other hand is living through the events you are being enlightened on the answer is kind of obvious. It is like to ask who is detached from the reality someone who has a tooth ache or someone who reads a report about someone having a tooth ache.

Katyushas into Sderot were not out of thin air. They occured in a context. They were retaliatory actions against an occupier that, even when it unilterally withdrew still continued to hold Gaza as a ghetto. Did Israel ever observe the hudna without some provocative action meant to break it? Did Israel at any time try to negotiate an end to the rockets and an opening up of the strip? No, it did not. Israel needed retaliatory acts of terror out of Gaza in order to keep the fires burning rather than putting them out. Under a different government, Israel saw the wisdom of talking with the PLO even though it classified it a terror organisation. It pointedly refused to do the same with Hamas. It refused over and over again to reach a state of nonbelligerency with Hamas and at the same time carried out a string of military operations that were intentionally meant to provoke.

but in case you meant my citizenship, i'm in fact a 'norwegian national' (having immigrated there as a child) but originally i'm from around here, so that's what i meant w/being proud. at least some of the posters, incl. dino, know this. as for norway, they probably abstained. too chicken & too left-leaning at the moment to show a principled stand. some of norway's diplomatic moves on the ME are indeed strange, inconsistent & bordering on hypocritical, even 'treacherous'. i'm not proud of that. rgs,-

...none of the things Israel stands accused of will ever be made legal. The arrogance of you folks borders on insanity. The world is not going to change the rules so Israel can commit war crimes. Get over yourselves. It is not self-defense to shoot civilians with white flags AND IT NEVER WILL BE. Geez, the chutzpah coming from you folks is sickening.

...Israel's hands are tied. There will be no "Cast Lead II" because that would spell the end of Israel's little land stealing games. The world has run out of patience with the little rogue state who refuses to make peace. So peace will be imposed. Abbas is gone. Elections are in disarray. The United States cannot let Israel create yet another intifada to cover up Israel's long list of war crimes. 23 CIA operatives got found guilty in Italy this week of violations of international law. What makes Israel and the wingnuts think that Israel will forever have impunity? Better think again.

Wouldn't that be an independent review? It would be an interesting report.

So we don't know how his country voted.

with your assistance and for that reason it won't work. Neither Israel nor American soldiers will be prosecuted by anyone. Terrorists or guerrilas hide in Mosques Hospitals and private houses, because it is logical tactics in any assymetrical war. They count on a wide variety Goldstone' collaborators. However, since the western world will be dragged into more wars with Muslims,, ( see Obama) there is no way out...than "lets say" bombing South Warizistan to its bitter end. There is another option...getting out of there and let them won. Or accept Hammas conditions and suicide. Neither Israel nor America will do that. Therefore, the most likely outcome of the Goldstone report will be the enactment of "new rules of war". The Putin solution. Have you heard something from Chechenya lately????? As you can see... it works. Is Putin in trial or something?????

Or is Israel the nation detached from reality?

Israel understands very well what the implications of that investigation would be, hence the vehemence on the part of Barak on oppossing such an idea. As for the veto of the US, it is disasterous for its position in the Arab world. It clearly signals that the Obama administration will not contradict what Israel demands. Since there is no investigation and the US is feckless in demanding Israel carry out an investigation and goes so far, given Israel's intransigence, to veto the resolution, leaves no otheer option that to bring the matter to the ICJ. It is amazing the extents that Israel will go to defer negotiations that would demand it to make concessions it has no intention of making.

Mikael, in answer to your question, these are the countries that voted against Goldstone: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Poland, Slovakia, Macedonia, Ukraine, United States

The Goldstone Report is credible. Israel strategically abstained from contributing to the report so that it could later allege it was flawed. Israel was fully aware from the beginning that there were crimes against humanity committed in its interests. Israel's responses are emotional rather than rational. For the sake of this facade, Israel's leaders are prepared to destroy Jews that are loyal to the historic Judaic values of truth and justice. The Israeli state is being worshiped at a cost to Judasim. We, as Jews from throughout the world, must speak out. As we know so clearly, crimes against humanity are an abomination.

... or at any rate those Israelis who bury-head-in-sand while decaring that they are NOT ostriches...

Swiss (Dino) Do continue sucking up to the Muslim Arab world Switzerland has always blindly took the side of the Arab Muslim block who blindly oppose Israel, Take for example Israel`s sponsored resolution on `Agricultural Technology for Development` Where Switzerland was the only European Country who abstained in order to suck up to Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. And not to be seen as a country who supports Israel, even when the subject at hand is non questionable dealing with eradication of poverty and elimination of hunger, with the goal of halving the world level of poverty and hunger by 2015 Yes Swiss (Dino) Do tell us why would Switzerland abstain on such an issue?

Self-imposed exile? Who did you believe would follow Israel's example? Joining only The Holy See, Vatican City which chooses to remain a non-UN member. Well that might help Israel to be recognized as "The Jewish State".

....and (unlike your country) they also do not vote Christian fundamentalists into office. Which, as you may imagine, I am very, very thankful for....:)

Lance- many consider Taliban to be national resistance movement. Indeed Canadian troops are there to prop up a corrupt regime. So, your moral parallel lacks logic. The point above all that you are missing in your self-exhaulting rhethoric is that Israel left Gaza!!!! Gaza was not occupied when Hamas shelled Israel proper. Another great Jewish tradition is the love of academic pursuit and logical thinking, which is clearly lacking from your cermon. The reason Canada voted against Goldtone report because it does not want your son tried as war criminal for accidentally shelling a civilian in Pakistan or Afganistan in pursuit of Al Quaeda, Taliban or some other luni organization hiding behind civilians. Give it some thought.

reality to its demands and whines when everybody else refuses to cooperate. UN, in fact, is doing Israel a favor by trying to prevent it from becoming an apartheid state.

Self-imposed exile? Who did you believe would follow Israel's example?

As per your own words and admittance every country has a political reason to vote for or against a proposed UN resolution. Therefore you have invalidated your claim at your post #1 with your own admittance that just like Checks voted with NATO aspirations other 174 countries voted with their individual aspirations. I ,mean - you cannot say only the Cheks have aspirations and all otherrs are angels right? No one would belive in that, not even you unles... but I don't think so. Just like Turkey being budy budy with Sudan's Omar Al Bashir so that he would vote for Turkis diplomat to UNSCR. We all know that no country has much regards to human rights when it comes to their national interests. Same for Switzerland even on a bigger scale so that they can court all countries' leaders - democratic or dictatorship - and their illicit money.

actually, the geneva convention allows for return fire to a location being used from which to fire from even if it is a mosque, church, school, ambulance etc...and civilians are no longer considered civilians if they are a party to this location regardless of if you can prove they are shields or willing participants.. and so everyone here understands what you really think, if fire comes from a mosque or from a school, and if "civilians" are inside this location, what should the other party do? just take it? would you allow this nonsense in houston? you're such a hypocrite...such a blatant jew hater...under your rules, obama should be hauled before the ICC for drone attacks where "civilians" are killed..

The states that supported Israel are the courageous states who aren't scared of supporting what is right, like the Netherlands, like the US, like Canada, like Italy, etc. The states that condemned Israel are MOSTLY Arab/Moslem states and 3rd world non-democracies, and some cowardly states like Sweden and Norway scared from Arab terrorist/oil backlash. Yes you are right, the vote gives me a good "insight" on the voting countries.

Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Poland, Slovakia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United States. All voted for israel so that Lieberman could state that israel had won the moral majority. (Between you and me I think Lieberman has been reading George Orwell's 1984)

because of jews like your son,who i feel he has nothing to do with judaism , other sons have made alliya in order to emphasize their judaism and their support to those who fight for our existence.

The answer will give you some insight in what the positive powers are and the opposition.

Free democratic countries must establish new UN.

Those non-Arab, non-Moslem and non-3rd world countries that voted agains Israel are simply cowards! They are scared of the Arab/Moslem backlash on their societies (terrorism, oil, etc.). I am proud of my country for its sincere support of Israel. You can be ashamed of yours.

thanks for finding a single cause for all the world's woes - jews. did i miss something? you mean to say it's been done before?

driven by the oil wealth of the Gulf states and the unending hatred of the Arab and Muslim world. Another one-sided anti-Israel proclomation dictated by the 53 dictators and supported by their flunkies. Wake me when these states do the same to Sri Lanka. I would say wake me when they do the same for HAMAS. But as the resolution shows, there is no amount of violence that Arabs or Muslims commit against Jews that would result in such condemnation.

right down to the last citizen of Sderot. I don't see you standing up to send any American citizens up to the IJC. Let me know how many you're willing to ship off (Beyond your usual cast of far-right characters).

Aren't you rushing with your reaction condemning Canadians? For starts, the Canadian government has been a staunch supporter of Israel regarding both the Gaza and Lebanon wars. The Canadian government has repeatedly stated that the Israel has not used excessive force but that it had the right to protect its citizens from terrorists. Second, both my sons have immigrated to Israel and serve proudly in IDF. Self hating Jews like Lance and his son are the exception in Canada.

Yeah... walk out of there. After all, Israel never respects UN resolution. And that has been going on since 1948. You think the UN will notice an israeli walkout? Israel is not Russia... not even Saudi Arabia. The only reaction you will see out of such a move is : GOOD RIDDANCE...

Israel: UN 'detached from reality' How so Israel? Is because the UN was repulsed by your animalistic behavior?

68% of UNGA voters that voted for the resolution endorsing the Goldstone report are considered "party free" or "not free" according to the Freedom House 2009 World Freedom Index. While only 6% of the UNGA voters voting against the resolution are considered "partly free".

Despite Israel's and America's rejection of the report and the rfelated propaganda war (the US Congress' rather pitiful declaration included) we're still faced with Goldstone's recommendations. A serious investigation ought to be conducted of alleged war crimes in Gaza and no one should have a problem with that. Israel was wrong from the beginning by not cooperating with the UN team, so its statements afterwards are of low value. Let's hope that Gaza War criminals are found and prosecuted. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians can keep on breathing without the air cleared.

Acutally, both the UN and Goldstone are detached from reality, at least if they expectany Israeli government to conduct an independant and credible investigation of the IDF. To a lot of Israelis, the IDF can do no wrong, and seeing as such an investigation is sure to uncover a number of systemic problems in it, and the controversy that those findings would cause would bring down any government (if the attempt to start such an investigation didn't). And, seeing as no Israeli leader seems willing to sacrifice his career to protect Israel by launching such a probe, I'm afraid Israel is doomed to the fate of the last country that ended up the target of a world-wide boycott.

while all this goes on, Australia is breaking international law by refusing Sri Lankan refugees to land , and torturing them on their boats. Depriving them of basic rights. Shame Australia as this tragedy unfolds.

99.9% of the world is sheer perfection eh dopey ??? see if you can get a new brain in the bahnhofstrasse zurich ??

ZISD: As Colnl Richard Kemp (UK)_said, Israel made far more effort to protect civilians than any other army. Warning areas with leaflets before hitting them, giving ceasefires, allowing supplies in - no-one else does that. Apparently, the next war on Gaza is already on the wall, in this case Israel could invite Colnl Richard Kemp to go inside Gaza as an objective observer so he will know first hand what he is talking about. After his testimony, he won't have reason to refuse.

No, I don't mean the UN resolution. I mean all the Hamas and Hezbollah personnel, missiles, rockets, mortars and shells stashed in the houses of civilians, in mosques, schools and UN installations. If bombing, shelling or otherwise destroying such places, even with civilian deaths, means world condemnation of Israel, then I condemn the world and say to the IDF: Do more of the same, if necessary.

...of military arsenals: The "goldstone", a rocket capable of reaching Tel-Aviv from the Gaza Strip, and Netanya from the Lebanon, in use now by Hamas and Hizballah respectively. I can only see the news reports and footage after these rockets fall on Jewish kindergartens in Rishon Lezion and Southern Tel-Aviv, or in Haderah and Netanya and etched into them the name: Goldstone. Thanks, Richie...

Operation Cast Lead was a carnage. Point. It goes against all that Judaism stands for. I am a Zionist and a Jew, but no way do I endorse our "leader's" disgusting behaviour. They should be tried for their actions, and if they are sure they did nothing wrong, then why are they doing everything possible to stop the truth from getting out.

Pravda, July 1938 American British Trotskyist imperialist spies detached from reality in criticism of peoples defense of great Stalin and his defense of peoples revolution. Death to imperialist/Trotskyist traitors!

Quoting a British Jew whose first allegiance is to Israel as proof that Israel is pure and honourable just shows how desperate you have become. Investigate the Goldstone report in an open and transparent manner, agree with the findings and explain how you will prevent it happening again and it will go away. If your government continues it's current stance who knows what will happen.

war crimes in Gaza before and during Operation Cast Lead. When Israel does not recognise HAMAS? Appears to me Israel is clutching at straws. Just investigate the allegations of the Goldstone Report in an open and the United states might not say about Israel "Despite boasting religious freedom and protection of all holy sites, Israel falls short in tolerance toward minorities, equal treatment of ethnic groups, openness toward various streams within society, and respect for holy and other sites." Whoops they already have, and they are your only ally. I'd wake up if I were you because it is going to be to late otherwise

ZISD says that 'Adopting Goldstone means telling terrorists that if they hide behind civilians, shoot rockets out of mosques and schools, then their fire cannot be returned without UN condemnation.' ZISD, it has never in modern warfare been acceptable for armies to shell mosques, schools, homes etc unless they are absolutely sure there are no civilians inside. That is how western armies have been fighting for a century and more, following the Geneva Conventions. The rule is simple: armies aren't there to fight and kill civilians, we saw enough of that horror from one side in WW2. If the school teacher, Imam or doctor reports that all the civilians are out of the building, then it's fair game. If not, it becomes a hostage situation based, if time and strategy permit, on a stakeout. The recent aberration of air strikes on civilian targets without accurate info from those on the ground about the civilian position, is simple not acceptable, as McChrystal has realised in Afghanistan.

Yes all banana republics what a joke

not stop Israel from defending itself. Why are Israeli spokespersons so absolutely clueless, other than to scare Israelis?

By the way, with the same right, we could discuss what "tactical reasons" led to the decision of the 18 countries who opposed the report (including your country)..... That was surely not a decision made in the spirit of "Prague 68".... ....rather in the spirit of "NATO aspirations".

a honest researching of each and every name of those who died in Gaza, leaving beside the obivious civilians, opens up a can of worms for Gaza. There is enough information out there (in arabic too) to blow the whisle. So go for it I say. The countries behind this are known bigots. The UN is tainted by this but then again everybody knows this. here is for honest reearch. There is plenty evidence out there.

...by using "not oppose" instead of "against". Of course, in such idiotic judgement the following results: 174 votes of "do not oppose the report" - in Hamas's favor, (instead of 114) versus 78 votes of "do not agree with the report" - in Israel's favor! (instead of 18) Thus totalling 174 + 78 = 252 countries! (instead of 192) One should always beware of Swiss mathematics!!!

84% of those present and voting (a) endorse the Goldstone Report and (b) stipulate that full and INDEPENDENT inquiries into war crimes must be held within 90 days. There has to be some international standard of civilised behaviour and accountability if mankind is to progress from its medieval state and the UN is the best we've got to achieve that. It is essential that individual nations comply with its rulings or, where necessary, are forced to do so. Israel needs to do the right thing here, rather than become another Serbia, Rwanda or Sudan blaming somebody else for its actions and engaging in cover-ups, defiance and counter-propaganda. It didn't do any of these governments any good, there's 160 senior officials already sentenced or being processed through the ICC.

For our own sake, never mind what anyone else says, Israel should undertake a serious, independent investigation of the Cast Lead campaign. Not just of the army, but of the way in which decisions were taken by the government, and of the rhetoric of public and religious figures who egged on the fighting even when it was clear that Palestinian civil casualties were very high. It is good that some incidents are being investigated by the army, but that does not go far enough: major decisions were taken at government level. Yes, Hamas fought dirty, but our country has to take responsibility for what *we did, and to consider not only the disproportionate number of Palestinian civilian casualties but deliberate damage to civilian infrastructure, the use of phosphorus, and so on. These have to be discussed and explained seriously, and not waved away with rhetoric. The government?s refusal to look seriously at its actions, and instead just to paper over the cracks with clichés and blanket

For all its hollowed protestations, The leaders of Israel know deep down that the vote by the GA, binding or not is a blot on Israel. Previous resolutions by internationl bodies, ignored or mocked by Israel, have the cummulative effect of further discrediting her and creation an atmosphere of ill will. Were it not for the one-sided uncritical support of the US, Israel would have been in great diplomatic morass than it is now. Once the US will change its position, if it does, Israel will feel the squeeze. Right now it lives on a credit of good will but time will come it will need to repay its debt with real currency, the currency of action and compromise.

as far as taking it to Ehud Barak, when our 3rd learns to fight in Aghanistan the way IDF fought in Gaza we will be catching Osama's by boatloads. I guess from Texas it can be seen better... eh.

Poor Canadians... you guys are swamped with Muslims so what do you expect!... oh Canada... GOOD LUCK No wonder why you are close to inexistant on the international scene: you make the wrong choices!!!

"Time for Israel to lead the UN walk-out." As the old saying goes, "Don't let the door hit you on the 'backside' on your way out." If Israel were to leave the UN I'm sure there would be a collective good riddance expressed around the world.

Thank you for your courage and calling things the way they are.

It does not however mean that Johnboy or anyother US citizen supports any of the US waged illegal wars. Get a grip mate!

Would that Lance's message could get through to all Israelis. It is so sad to see the far right taking control. If there is no sea change, the Zionist project is dead.

Does it change anything for Israel? For Palestinians? For anyone? It's not like the UN can do anything. Although I am strongly pro-Israel, I can understand groups like Hezbollah for ignoring the UN. If I were a leader of Hezbollah, I would buy/borrow/steal as much weapons as I can just to piss off the UN.

in Afghanistan pontificates and rejoices.

I'm ashamed to be Dutch

It is abundantly clear Israel will not conduct an honest and open investigation as the report recommended. Thus the alternate suggestion should be enacted. The case should be remanded to the International Court of Justice. If Ehud Barak refuses to engage in a defense, he may be tried in his absence.

It is time to pick your poison. Do you prefer to have an investigation that will pass as being credible, trials, and possibly convictions for war crimes, or do you want to face an energised boycott movement?

Israel and the U.S. are on notice from the rest of the world.

"Since alienating jews will cost him the elections next year.." ______ No elections next year. Jews control Global warming but not time. "Obama will have to let go of oil interests." _______ the US buys almost no ME oil One way or another, Iran will now be the honored guest in Saudi Arabia. _______ Not at all. SArabia afraid of Tehran mafia and detest Shia. "Iran is now the new US parner in ME" _______ Quite a statement "and though no one will say so, Israel is on its own." _______ with others.

"Israel believes in a vision of peace. We believe in the vision established by the United Nations of two states for two peoples." Who's the we? Shalev and her cat? Half of Bibi's government doesn't believe that and Bibi could only say it through gritted teeth. I almost laughed when I read that. "It disregards Israel?s extensive criminal investigation process of allegations of misconduct by Israeli armed forces." And rightly so, because Israel hardly ever gives serious punishment to IDF who kill Arabs. Remember the officer who emptied his magazine into the Pal schoolgirl and got off with negligent discharge of weapon or some BS. "We will not forget the victims of terrorism in New York, Washington, London, Madrid, Bali, Lockerbie, Riyadh, Amman, Mindanao, Istanbul, Nairobi, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Sinai, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Beslan, Islamabad, Algiers." We will not forget the victims of Deir Yassein, Qanaa, Lebanon 2, Cast Lead etc.

It's an old tune, however. Any condemnation of the condemnable actions of Israel are automatically blocked by the US for reasons, in this day and age, that defy logic. All efforts at condemnation are automatically branded by Israel as biased, as anti-semetic, as destroying any chance for peace. One would think that Israelis might give some thought to how the history books will portray them in 20-30 years from now.

And make a new one. Call it the AN, allied nations, and leave the UN to the arabs and anti-western powers who want to babble about nonsence and do nothing.

I am disgusted with the Dutch refusal to endorse the Goldstone report. At the very least the Dutch UN embassador could have abstained. But to vote against a remarkable report is not only insulting for justice Richard Goldstone and his team, but worse than that a cruel slap in the face of the people of Gaza. I am sure that the Dutch UN embassador got his instructions from foreign minister Maxime Verhagen. Here is a shameful Zionist "Israel right or wrong" supporter if ever there was one, one who is ready to defy Dutch public opinion and sweep Israeli war crimes under the carpet.

This just isn't a big deal. Yes, it's irritating if you're Israeli or pro-Israel, but it's not at all important. This, like all the other UN resolutions, will have no effect. It's like Obama; everybody rushes to judgment, makes wild claims (both good and bad) and in the end the overall effect is barely even noticeable.

- here anymore). & a note to dino: "not opposed" is your linguistic trick, dino. you don't know what tactical reasons all those abstaining & absent member states had for not voting otherwise. it's not easily interpretable. as for the 'automatic' bloc of arab & non-aligned countries, you can answer your question yourself. as i wrote in a previous post, these countries pushed this UNGA 'debate' & vote, & are incidentally the same countries that have officially endorsed & supported sudanese president bashir a-f-t-e-r he had already been indicted by ICC for the worst kinds of unthinkable crimes (on an incomparable scale to anything in gaza) in darfur. what a telling coincidence!

Now the world knows Israel plays games and it doesn't want peace, it never did. It just wants to waste time.

The USA and Israel are prepared to destroy the messenger, Goldstone, while ignoring crimes against humanity. They are also prepared to ignore the world Jewish community that is appalled by crimes against humanity. And finally Obama's Cairo speech to the Arabs was nothing but a facade. We as a community with rich religious traditions should be concerned about the significance of Israel's and the USA's actions. This has implications for future generations in terms of how violent actions can be rationalized against a whole people when only a few are at fault. This is a sad day for Judaism and Christianity.

Oh look, there's Israel leading the walk out. Oh look there's the Marshall islands following Israel.

Allow me to hold the door on your way out. The siple fact is eventually Israel will require the UN to enter the West Bank and Gaza. Israel is coming to the point where it can no longer afford the occupation, it may be one year it may be ten but it will happen. Not to mention increasing numbers of the I-Pod generation already refusing to serve in the territories and many many Israelis leaving to avoid military service. It is only a matter of time, the question is how many Palestinians are Israel going to kill before that happens.

when britain, america and the pro-israelis veto this report it will be devastating and have many consequences in many ways, i will predict right here this, many many more troops will die in iraq, afghansitan and other places, it will strenghten the likes of al-qaida, the taliban and more new factions on those that have been victims of western killing of innocents in their respective countries, it will make a legitamate case for those extremists to bomb and maim many western nations supporting israel and america, and this is just the tip of the iceberg, god help us all if this is vetoed, like i've said, this is and will be the most dangerous act in human history.

Yet another war to distract from it or some meaningful directional peace talks? Answers on a postcard....

as usual....

Since alienating jews will cost him the elections next year, Obama will have to let go of oil interests. One way or another, Iran will now be the honored guest in Saudi Arabia. And will be allowed to continue arming itself and its allies. In effect, Iran is now the new US parner in ME - and though no one will say so, Israel is on its own.

"Thus, any Arab initiative for an extreme resolution against Israel, such as the submission of the Goldstone report to the International Criminal Court, will likely be torpedoed by the veto-wielding U.S." TODAY'S STATE DEPT PRESS BRIEFING Q: "I mean, have you decided that you're going to veto this?" A: "I don't think we have." Q: "In the Security.. if it goes to the Security..?" A: "If it goes to the Security Council." The State Dept just sent a very public message to Netanyahu; DON'T force us to use our veto merely to save your sorry, lazy arse. Don't make the USA veto this, Bibi, merely because you are too lazy to get off your behind and appoint that independent inquiry. If they do it then they'll want some pay-back. IF they do it........

The report was not about investigating the actions of the 2 sides in the conflict. It was a witch-hunt against Israel. Adopting it means telling terrorists that if they hide behind civilians, shoot rockets out of mosques and schools, then their fire cannot be returned without UN condemnation. Thing is, that won't stop USA, UK, Russia or anyone else doing what has to be done to stop these kind of terrorists. They will just have to make sure that it doesn't get on TV. As Colnl Richard Kemp (UK)_said, Israel made far more effort to protect civilians than any other army. Warning areas with leaflets before hitting them, giving ceasefires, allowing supplies in - no-one else does that. But Jew haters will do their thing and Goldstone became their pawn.

Bravo to Judge Richard Goldstone as he is giving other Jewish people of conscience the courage to refuse and the courage to stand up for Judaism?s wonderful precepts that have been hijacked for far too long by extremists. One is my son. Though he presently serves in the Canadian Forces, he has told me that he will refuse to fight a war for the benefit of Israel maintaining its racist apartheid and anti-Semitic occupation over millions of Palestinian Semitic people (making Israel the biggest practitioner of anti-Semitism in the world today bar none)!!! As a Jewish person who has served in Afghanistan, he feels that Israel is duping the West into fighting its battles to steal Palestinian lands by portraying Hamas or Hezbollah (in Lebanon), as similar to Al Queda when, in fact, they are national resistance movements. For him, Israel's actions have become very much anathema to Judaism's wonderful traditions developed over millenia.

....and that even in the harsher version that was presented to the U.N. Are really all of those 174 countries either Muslim states or non-Muslim dictatorships...??? Mmmmhhh.....