Source: Palestinians drop endorsement of Goldstone report
Move comes after apparent pressure from Obama; Goldstone: report won't affect Mideast peace process.
By Natasha Mozgovaya and Barak Ravid Tags: Goldstone report Gaza Israel news IDFClick here for more on the Goldstone commission report on the Gaza conflict
The Palestinian Authority on Thursday decided to drop its draft resolution condemning Israel's conduct during the Gaza Strip offensive, in effect deferring its adoption of the Goldstone's Commission report accusing both sides of war crimes.
The PA had originally planned to present the draft to the Human Rights Council for a vote in Geneva on Friday. The decision not to pursue the resolution means that any similar effort will have to wait until at least March, a political source in Jerusalem said.
The source added that the decision appears to be based on pressure from the Obama administration, exerted by way of U.S. representatives in Geneva, as well as through contacts between Washington and Ramallah.
The Obama administration has told the Palestinians that a renewal of the peace process must come before any diplomatic initiatives based on the Goldstone report, or any other initiatives that could stifle efforts to renew Israel-PA negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated in recent days that efforts to use the Goldstone report to advance anti-Israel measures in the Human Rights Council or the International Tribunal in The Hague will deal a death blow to the peace process.
Goldstone: Gaza report won't affect peace process
Goldstone said on Thursday that Netanyahu was wrong to claim that pursuing both Israel and Hamas for war crimes would end the Middle East peace process.
"I think [Netanyahu] got wrong what our report is all about," Goldstone said. "He talked about Israel's right to self-defense. That is not what the report was about."
Goldstone said earlier Thursday that he was naive to have believed that Israel might have cooperated with his investigation.
"I believed that Israel would cooperate - it turned to be a naïve expectation, and the problem that we had obviously is to do as fair and complete a job as we could without Israel's participation," he said.
"We couldn't go to Gaza through Israel, but had to make a long and tedious journey through Egypt four times. And it was a pity, as well as the constant referral to the original mandate, which became irrelevant," he added.
"It excluded justification of the military operation and the Hamas shelling," he said. "We looked only at the military operation on both sides in order to determine whether there were violation of the international law on both sides."
Goldstone, a South African judge, spoke to reporters in Washington two days after officially submitting his report to the UN Human Rights Council.
The report accuses Israel and Hamas of war crimes during their three-week conflict in Gaza in January and recommends that both be referred to the International Criminal Court for prosecution unless they carry out in-house investigations that the UN deems adequate within six months. The council is slated to vote on the matter tomorrow.
Goldstone told reporters that the American reaction to the report both "pleased and disappointed" him, again rejecting claims that his investigation was one-sided.
"I was pleased that our main recommendation - that there should be independent investigation - was accepted. And disappointed by the claims that the report was labeled not even-handed - no details were given. Both sides failed to make crucial distinction between the civilian population and combatants," he said.
The investigator also blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism to that effect, saying"
"I think Netanyahu got wrong what our fact-finding mission was about. It wasn't part of our mandate to check justification for the military actions - we took that as a given."
"I think if the report achieves one good thing, it is to cause this debate in Israel," he added. "It would be a healthy thing."
Lieberman asks counterparts to blast Gaza report
Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman discussed the matter to great extent over recent days, according to a political source in Jerusalem.
On Thursday, Lieberman met with the foreign ministers of 15 different countries, and asked them to support efforts to counter the Goldstone report.
In a conversation with foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, and the European Union among others, Lieberman warned that the report is a dangerous development that could threaten the ability of democracies to defend themselves.
"This is only the first step," Lieberman said, adding, "the next step will be similar efforts against NATO forces in Afghanistan and Russian forces in Chechnya."
The source said that the PA's decision to pull the proposal shows that they understand the serious consequences of such actions.
"This proves that we were right not to cooperate, and also proves that the Goldstone report was completely political and through diplomatic efforts we were able to scuttle it."
"The clear Israeli message sent to all corners has been that it will be impossible to continue the peace process and extreme attacks on Israel at the same time."
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well, if you exclude a gun in the hand of the man robbing a store, then you can crucify the policemen who shot the criminal. Hamas' lackeys have to be inventive, for now. Not surprised is the Georgian Misha jumping on their wagon. They need weapons, and if Israel does not give, why not play along with Hamas... Terror is an easy franchise, and when legitimate states balk, one terrorist can be awfully useful to another terrorist under certain circumstances. I would love to live long enough to witness the end - game. These guys are always hard at work giving Hollywood new scripts. And in that vein I am curious how much of a chance Georgia stands on a good day against their south - eastern adversaries... You sure 100% you don?t need Israel, or Russia?
The only ones responsible for war crimes are Hamas. Hamas attacks Israelis and then hides behind their own, this is how hizbollah opperates as well. Notice a difference? NO. Both Groups are supported by IRAN. Both organizations call for the death of all Jews in Israel and abroad. Both groups seek the annihilation of the Jewish State. Israel was acting in self defense 8 years of being bombarded by rockets and mortars, a withdrawal from gaza, and yet the attacks continue. Deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians, is this reasonable action for self defense. I guess according to the masses it is not. Calling for a human circle to surround a Hamas leaders house, because a known air-strike. This is how Hamas operates, they cant win the ground war so they attempt a PR campaign because that is the only way they can get the world to feel sorry for them. Hamas is the only reason why the suffering in Gaza will continue.
US slaves were at peace with their owners, what's wrong with Pals. Obama has said the report is one sided. Obama has said that Israel doesn't need to join the NPT . Obama has said that Israel can keep their nuke program a secret. LOL Like Middle East dictators, Obama's agenda doesn't seem to reflect the best interest of his people. The US seems to be affiliated with a bunch of Bullying Warmongers, such as Georgia, for example. I'm seeing a pattern, of a race of people that ran Georgia, apartheid South Africa, were the majority of the Neocons. I believe it's just a bad strain of these people.
What I see is largely sensationalist anti-zionist, anti-israel crap in your articles and talkbacks. for an israeli publication, you profer more negative articles and bullshit talkbacks than any other place in israel. when i and others i know write about the powerful positive aspects that thrive in israel, you rarely publish it. the same weak illogical garbage "authors" and talkback "contributers" consistently appear in your forums. all it amounts to is yellow journalism. balanced is one thing, but you are deliberately hurting our people.
... makes Israel/Palestine look like children suabbling over Candy at a picnic, THe UK = Probably the most cunning political snakes in the world. A has been power that is still winding down. With too little money to be as vicious as the US these days but nonetheless, more manipulative and uncaring than pretty much any other nation in the world. Definitely with more blood on its hands than any other nation in them world. The joke is that these are all governments. We fund them with our money. Then when they spill lies, we back them up. We send our children to die for them. THey only take and spread hatred, paranoia and fear. We are just as guilt as they for letting them walk all over us.
As usual Israel gets away with war crimes-since 1948 Israel has been committing war crimes against the Palestinian population -, but what is surprising this time is it was done with the help of the PA. I guess the PA is willing to do all it can to get ready of Hamas even if means losing the whole population of Gaza, shame on you Abbas
"Israel refuses to join in a self flagellation". Jacob Blues no self-flagellation is required only an honest inquiry as to why hundreds of innocent civilians were so needlessly killed. Not to mention the hundreds maimed or injured and the wanton destruction of civilian infrastructure. Jacob Blues after the Lebanon debacle (huge civilian deaths and utter destruction of civilian infrastructure, ie: war crimes) there should have been an international inquiry. As Israel has, again, repeated such utter disrespect for human life and property in Gaza it is only fitting that the world and international orgs display their revulsion and objection. Jacob Blues if you, or other, can't hold Israel up to international appraisal then you have no common moral framework to stand on.
he'd rather be comfy than fight w/ Hamas. Both are in it for the money, power and the right to murder their own people, uninterrupted. Pals are being led like sheep to the slaughter, just what they wanted, two leaders, both rich, trying to out live the other while the Pals die. Good for 'democracy' pal style. Who the hell wants a state of two sickos each w/ a welfare agenda? They live on terror, to the pals first and the Israeli's second.
It is all because Goldie wrote The Mission has received allegations of violations relevant to its mandate committed by the Palestinian Authority in the period under inquiry. These include violations related to the treatment of (suspected) Hamas affiliates by the security services, including unlawful arrest and detention. Several Palestinian human rights organizations have reported that practices used by the Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank amount to torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment. There have been a number of cases of death in detention where it is suspected that torture and other ill treatment may have contributed to, or caused, the death of the detainee
Still the same old (morally) corrupted clique... ....exactly the kind of partner the Israel of 2009 loves to deal with. The Palestinian people will hopefully respond next time at the ballot box.... ....preferably not for Hamas, but for a "third alternative".
First: Abbas and Al Fayad are NOT "The Palestinians". Abbas has been elected PA "President" -without renewal. He is out or service. Only by the bias of US- and Eurpean money still up. Thus he has become a Quisling. Second: The Palestinans, don't they include elected Hamas in GAZA? Better ask them if they are willing to endorse the Goldstone-Report, because it's mainly about them and the israeli massacre in Gaza
Murray, did you read the Goldstone Report? If, you'ld not need to ask your question if Goldstone ever heard about "self defence". Surely he did, and Goldstone does not reject the right of self defence. Just take the time and read it before you ask further questions.The problem is not self defence, the problem are war crimes!
Cast Lead was a great successNo Rockets from Gaza
You apparently have not read the art.The Goldstone report does not address the issue of legitimacy of Operation Cast Lead (Goldstone is even cited as saying "we have taken that as granted"). It examines the way fighting was conducted both by IDF and Hamas.
The report does condemn Hamas for firing on Israel and killing 3 people. The report condemns Israel for killing 1,400 and destroying infrastructure. How did you not see the bit condemning Hamas?
Saving Bib's ass, not going to change a thing, kicking his ass is the way to go.
... differ from those of Bibi et Lieberman... ... Obama says to the Pals defer meanwhile until peace process is well on its way... ... but Bibi et Lieberman want to eliminate the truth before it sees the brash light of day...
There is no acceptance of war crimes against civilians wheather they are committed in the Palestinian territories , Afganistan, Russia or anywhere else on the planet. Dutch
A Government sees 1,400 of its citizens slaughterd in a massacre last Christmas. It is so cowed that it does not protest. Abu Mazen truly is the Chaim Rumkowsky of the Palestinian ghettos. Anyway, his term is up and he should no longer be president. The real Gov is Hamas. They won a free and internationally recognised election. Pity the poor Palestinians
The PA should stand on the principle there is no substitute for the truth whether it comes from Obama or anyone else. Otherwise, it will lose its credibility as a moral representative of the Palestinian people. Dutch
The price for torpedoing the report and saving IDF-staff is that Hamas criminals neither can be put to change. The other price is that Hamas will forever use this agaist the PA and Abbas, basically they have already won the next election. Great work Bibi........
The report clearly states that BOTH SIDES comitted war crimes. Both sides means Israel AND THE HAMAS. So how come you keep talking about the UN not finding anything wrong with the hamas. Are you illiterate or just not willing to see the truth? Can someone tell me how people can ignore facts that are so open???
... Goldstone's report, which also accused Hamas of a war crime for launching rockets on Israel, though many won't agree with making equal the victim and oppressor, not to mention the right to resist the occupying force by all means - under International law! Israel had always provoked that response through targeted assassinations, bombardments, total siege, etc. etc. For ur information also, Goldstone is a Zionist Jew! And yes, Obama and Abbas are OK with such atrocities committed by Israel, and Abbas even silently supported, and his PA logistically provided help in the war against Hamas, hoping Israel would root out Hamas, so he can go back to rule Gaza! As for Obama, I'd rather believe a reputable Goldstone, and not those providing Israel with the means to do what they did, even with a large supply immediately in the aftermath of the war, while GB for instance took action and put restrictions on weapons supply to Israel! BTW, I don't hate Jews, have to the cont. some Jewish friends!
The article cites Goldstone as not disputing Israels right to start military action to stop the missles. So why do you pretend that it does?! THAT is false accusations for example! (and that happens a lot among the "truthful" people comdemming the report as onesides (apparently because it accuses both sides of the conflict.))
first the brag: "this proves that we were right not to cooperate, and also proves that the goldstone report was completely political and through diplomatic efforts we were able to scuttle it(the pa's endorsement)". then the blackmail: "the clear israeli message sent to all corners has been that it will be impossible to continue the peace process and extreme attacks on israel at the same time." how typically smug and arrogant of mr. lieberman...and the israeli government in general, for that matter. even though personally, i think it would probably serve the pa far BETTER to break the old mold that has been cast and recast a thousand times over; by both sides. and especially on issues such as this, it's more prudent for the pa to remain aloof and allow the countries of world to render their independent judgement... because it's endorsement is expected as a matter of course(the mold), and will NOT affect the final outcome.
Abbas is a sell-out.
No spine, all whine.
tim leary and eldrige cleaver were there too...
If this story is true it will be the latest proof that Abbas is a stooge for the the Israeli governmet acting against the interest of his people. Mr. Abbas's term has expeired and in actuality he is ruling in the west bank at the behest of the Israeli govenment and not the Palestinian people.
...see page 84-85 of the Goldstone Report. Then there's the little matter of Israel retaliating ten to one for every prior rocket or mortar attack. And then there's that pesky fact where Israel planned the Gaza war before it even, in perfidy, entered into a ceasefire, that it didn't fully honor, that it broke on November 4th, 2008. Israel had the chance to reinstate the ceasefire, Hamas wanted to, but Israel had to launch its war before President Obama took office. The Goldstone Report rightly characterizes both the indiscriminate use of rockets/mortars toward civilian areas as a war crime, I've certainly always labeled them as such. Nevertheless, Israel also stands accused of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, specifically the ongoing crime of collective punishment, mentioned no less then eighteen times throughout the report. That cannot be good for Israeli PR...
how can anyone claim that this report is biased or unfair!, It blamed BOTH Israel and Hamas, it implicates BOTH parties! this is madness! the writer of the report is a JEW! how could he be one sided! justice Must be served, and it will be, the Gaza war was a mistake and a crime.
The UN belives israel commited crimes against humanty and killed 1000 civlians on purpose and refused to investigate. All this while not finding any wrong doing on the part of hamas. Given all that, obama pressured abbas to drop any further UN action. Someone tell me how this can be true? Is obama and abbas ok with such atrocities commmitted by israel OR is the goldstone report full of lies and complete fabrications? Do tell all those that hate jews. I cant wait for you to tell me.
Even *this* article points out that the Palestinians have merely DEFERRED tabling their draft resolution. The reason being mentioned in other media is this is because they want any resolution to be *unanimously* adopted by the UNHRC, and so they are willing to wait until March in the hope of reaching a compromise. A unanimous vote - even for a significantly watered-down resolution - would be much more difficult for Israel to dismiss, and the Pals think that is worth waiting for. After all, they still have the numbers in the council; come March they can always table their original draft and get it passed by a partisan vote.
Goldstone is naive,full stop. The war was a great success. Rockets from Gaza are virtually nil.
on the foot. The Palestinians should know better. And the Obama. Wow! This whole charade of wanting to resolve the conflict is pure B.S. Obama is going to do a number on the Palestinians. What a shame, what a damn shame!
... Abbas is a harassment and shame for every decent Palestinian man and woman. Or what else would you expect from those, who made their millions through the suffering of their people and trading with the Palestinian cause, but to act for their own interests and millions! Had lived under the cruel Israeli occupation, before those were brought to us mainly from Tunis, but would choose it back, if I have to choose between both! Most people don't trust this gang, the reason why Hamas won the majority of votes in January 2006 elections in the West Bank and Gaza!!!
this man has sold out all of palestine for nothing but a zionist retirement plan
It is shameful that Abbas and his authority will drop support for the Goldstone report. Israel committed war crimes and this colonial and racist apartheid regime of Israel must be tried at the ICC. It is shameful that any Palestinian leader will come across as supporting war crimes against his people. Abbas must be worried about his seat and his personal gains. He is worried that Natanyahu and Leiberman may hold his salary and the salaries of his PA gang.
War in and of itself should be outlawed. If every country in the world is a member of the UN, why don't we have disarmament?
It was Justice Goldstone's naivety over the actions of the UNHRC that began this entire farce. Rather than start at the beginning of the issue, the judge decided to go along with a group that decided Israel was guilty before writing word one. Then he's shocked that Israel refuses to join in a self flagellation from an organization that is a blatant arm of the Arab attempt to deligitimize the state since they couldn't destroy it militarily.
the probe correctly. instead hamas threatened palestinian witnesses who could have spoken out against hamas, as goldstone himself admitted(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLFAJK5LtwY). i wonder why always and only israel is blamed by goldstone.
Gaza was vacated by Israel four years ago. After Israel left, terrorist groups fired several thousand projectiles indiscriminately at Israel. When it did not stop, years later Israel invaded Gaza. That is called self defence. Gaza suffered the consequences for what their elected government (sort of) perpetrated. If Goldstone and others can not appreciate that, it is just too bad!