'Netanyahu didn't mean he backed Israel probe of Gaza war'
PM's bureau issues statement to clarify comments Netanyahu made in interview with Washington Post.
By Haaretz Service and Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Goldstone report Israel newsPrime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu did not mean to express support for the establishment of a state inquiry into the Gaza war in an interview with the Washington Post, the premier's bureau said Saturday.
In the interview, which was published on Saturday, Netanyahu was asked whether he was in favor of an independent inquiry into the 3-week Israeli campaign against Hamas. "We're looking into that not because of the Goldstone report but because of our own internal needs," he answered.
He was referring to a damning United Nations report compiled by the South African jurist, Richard Goldstone. The report accuses both Israel and Hamas of war crimes, but mainly focuses on alleged Israeli offences.
Netanyahu's bureau said he meant that Israel was already investigating allegations of wrongdoing during the offensive, as it deals with all such claims.
"The prime minister actually hinted in the interview that if something needed to be investigated, then it should be the very establishment of the Goldstone commission," the bureau said in a statement.
The bureau also released what it said was the full transcript from the interview, in which Netanyahu says Israel has already investigated 24 of the 36 cases of alleged the violations during the operation.
Netanyahu's comments triggered associates of Defense Minister Ehud Barak to declare that the minister opposes the establishment of a state inquiry into the Gaza war. They said the defense minister voiced his opposition to the move at recent meetings.
Barak said that had complete trust in the inquiries carried out by the Israel Defense Forces after the 3-week campaign, the associates said, and those that the army conducts continuously.
"Barak believes there is no other army that investigates itself like the IDF," the associates said.
In the Washington Post interview, Netanyahu added: "The so-called human rights commission accuses Israel that legitimately defended itself against Hamas of war crimes. Mind you, Hamas . . . committed four."
"First, they called for the destruction of Israel, which under the United Nations Charter is considered a war crime - incitement to genocide; secondly, they fired deliberately on civilians; third, they hid behind civilians; and fourth, they've been holding our captured soldier, Gilad Shalit, without access to the Red Cross, for three years."
The prime minister continued: "And who gets accused of criminal behavior at the end of the day? Israel that sent thousands of text messages and made tens of thousands of cellular phone calls to Palestinian civilians [to warn them to evacuate]. . . . "
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these enfortunates, going out with their white flags, to Mosques, hospitals, Schools but then What happened to them on their way and hiding places. Yes we all know what happened, this is why mr. R. Goldstone is advising an individual investigation by the war paries.
The common practice during the cold war period was the concept of proportional response. The incoming rockets into Israel was bad, killed a few; but it was not a nationioal secuirty threat. And why did the response come in Jan. '09 and ended two days before Obama's inaugnaration. It's a "runaway train."
All put the blame on anyone but Israel! Guess what a Gaza Probe will find?
Are you guys really a country? You're still a tribe.
The poor man is in an untenable position. His support comes from the ultra-right wing in Israel (aka-the crazies) and yet he knows that he has to show some accommodation to the Obama administration (but how much must I give, or pretend to give to keep this strange new American president happy?). It's a real problem for Netanyahu and, I suspect, for israeli policy generally. Is this Obama guy really trying to make us give concessions to these powerless Palestinians who we could rob and steal from forever if no one was looking. Come on! Everyone does it. Why should Israel be held to a higher standard? Oh, by the way, would you like to hear about how much my people have suffered?
"Netanyahu was asked whether he was in favor of an independent inquiry into the 3-week Israeli campaign against Hamas" I see the word "independent". Do you? "Netanyahu says Israel has already investigated 24 of the 36 cases of alleged the violations during the operation." Investigations **by** the IDF **into** the actions of the IDF. That ain't "independent", Bibi. "Barak believes there is no other army that investigates itself like the IDF," Indeed true, though not in the way that Barak is hinting. But, again, that is an investigation **by** the IDF **into** the actions of the IDF. That ain't no stinking independendent investigation, Barak.
IDF - The Israeli Defense Fiasco Israel cannot afford to investigate the terror, bloodshed and war crimes it inflicted on the innocent Gazan's. Why will an investigation be avoided at all costs? Because it will reveal that the IDF handed out death sentences to Gazan children and adults like candy at a birthday party. It will reveal that this crazed, animalistic behavior perpetrated by the IDF was seen more than half a century ago in WWII, and led to the useless death of millions, Jews included. An investigation would prove that the state of Israel has lost its collective sense of morality and operates outside the guidelines of what the rest of humanity expects from "G-d's chosen people." As israel builds walls around the settlements which encircle the "ever-expanding Israeli proper," they also wall themselves in, creating a prison for themselves as well. Is the israel under construction a homeland or a prison with higher walls every day?
so that you can get free education michael google trevornorwitzgoldtone ---- read it carefully and then take the 5th amendment !!
You people that are using this against Bibi are funny. bibi didn't become PM until April. The previous govt had three months to investigate and decided not to.
Netanyahu could still divorce himself from any findings. But if he does not stop trying to put off an investigation he will end up saddled with some of the blame. One who reads only the Israeli press might not be aware of just how badly Cast Lead has harmed Israel.
(to warn them to evacuate) Where were they supposed to evacuate to?
...yet it is too late. The truth is out. The Goldstone Report was devastating in its completeness and fairness. There is nowhere to hide Bibi.
Says Bibi: "Israel that sent thousands of text messages and made tens of thousands of cellular phone calls to Palestinian civilians [to warn them to evacuate]. . . ." How and where exactly were these unfortunate women and children expected to "evacuate"...? Would Israel or Egypt have opened border-crossings to enable them to "evacuate", to flee the impending onslaught...?! There's lots of empty space on the Sinai sand-dunes, but how were they to get there...?
would have died if not for"all those cell calls and text messages"?