U.S. to Israel: Probe alleged Gaza war crimes to advance peace

I would like a probe done on who the mercenaries were who came in on political corruption agenda were. They went on killing spree in GAZA. I recognized three of them from the United States. One I knew as a friend but not anymore.I am watching from this side. I know two were from Russia, and one from Spain. They came into Gaza as individual mercenaries and killed non stop for one day. Specific targetted people. One was a neo-Nazi. They may have been the ones to use the phosporus canisters to start war crimes against Israel. I request it be reviewed by satellite footage to find real heros and real villians. Not just by verbal recoveried memory. Someone is playing political gain with lives as chest pawns. They are souls to me. There is a hellbound Soule involved. Karoon/Rankoo

As I originally stated, if one cares about Pal children then they will actively protest the firing of rockets into Israel. Paddy instead of protesting the rocket fire, apologized for them. He brought up the strawman, "the last ceasefire". A ceasefire that came into being on June 19/08. The morning of June 24/08 rockets were fired into Southern Israel, later that day, after an Israeli raid in Nablus (not Gaza) 3 Qassem rockets were fired at Sderot. It got quieter after that, but the ceasefire had been broken and continued to be broken until the end the end of the 'tadhia' (lull). To support my plea for protest, Saeb Erekat, the PLO's chief negotiator, stated on June 28/08, in calling upon all groups to honor the lull, deeming it to be in the "?supreme Palestinian interest? to honor the tadhia. See unlike you Paddy, Erekat cares about Pal children, he understood the repercussions of continued rocket fire, I believe you understand as well, YOU JUST DON'T CARE!

dovdevan is a perfect example. It goes like this: The propagandists yell from the rooftops that the IDF *must* *be* innocent because it is "the most moral army in the world", before hedging its bets by adding that, well, everyone is doing it!!! Marvelous. Simply marvelous. It's called "cognitive dissonance", dovdevan.

despite its unpopularity in washington, bill clinton had signed it in dec 2000...but never submitted it for ratification; then bush nixed it. they didn't call him "slick willy" for nothing...lol.

"Urging Hamas NOT TO FIRE ROCKETS". - FOX Do you mean the way that Hamas refrained from firing rockets during the last cease-fire? Well, how do you think that that worked out for them? (1400 dead Palestinians and 14 dead Israelis - mostly military) As CONFIRMED by Mark Regev, Hamas did NOT fire any rockets but Israel killed six Palestinians, thereby breaking the cease-fire. What you are saying is that Hamas should not attack Israel but Israel can attack the Palestinians whenever they feel the urge, which seems to be on a daily basis. Yo really have to employ more than the one brain-cell when pontificating.

"What about the billions of $ in Swiss bank accounts given to Arafat and his ilks? None to benefit his people" I agree with you; it does not. But that has nothing to do with the billions we give Israel every year, which supports the illegal occupation...

he has to show something to earn his wages??? so he bla bla bla bla and it means noting.

Daily we hear those who claim to give a crap about the Palestinian people. They protest loudly when Israel enters Gaza. The question is, do they really care? We all know that if the rocket fire continues, it will lead to Israel retalliating. This is a given. We all know that this will bring about the deaths of Palestinian civilians. we know that the streets of Europe and this forum will be filled with those screaming blue murder, calling Israel monsters. But who are the real monsters? It is those who sit silent while Hamas fires rockets at Israeli civilians! (war crime btw ) They know this will lead to another war, knowing in their hearts that the opportunity to scorn Israel is more satisfying then urging Hamas NOT TO FIRE ROCKETS. To all those who care, protest yesterday's rocket fire, if not for Israeli children, then for Palestinian children. Do not be hypocrites, not now.

and maybe you think that is OK, but the rest of the world doesn't.

what about the bombing of thousand of innocent people every day in afganistan and irak ! someone who have seen "battle for haditha " can understand that the US army is not a moral army so please take care of your own buisness american governement

there is no way that Israel can do it alone in any case. The whole of Europe is in danger like Israel because of distance this is now a job for the United Nations to attend to before there is a bigger catastrophe than 9/11.

it is what Israel sought also. "Would it be fair to prosecute them and the British government before or soon after Israel`s turn?"utagawa to Michael.

By far, most wars, in the Middle East, Africa, Far East, and terror attacks all around the globe, are started/provoked by Muslims incited by extremist religion. The latest, Iran's mullahs denying the Holocaust and working at "erasing Israel from the map", started the present tense situation. The Taliban and Al Qaeda are another example. Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. Of course, their violence translates to fights among themselves too, Shias against Sunnis, Hamas against Fatah, etc. YET, THE UN SEES ONLY THE "CRIMES" COMMITTED BY ISRAEL WHILE DEFENDING ITSELF! America, after 9/11, is also considered criminal by many, on these blogs too...

Hey genuine Moshe...a note for you.Institutionizing dissidents is what the totalitarian repressive soviet regime speacialized in...so its quite appropriate that a country such as Israel should follow suit. Try REAL democracy for a change...no censorship, no racisim,no illegal occupation of land...

"I will NEVER forgive Blair and Bush for the temporary damage they did to it, by their cowboy invasion of Iraq." Would it be fair to prosecute them and the British government before or soon after Israel's turn?

president clinton refused to join the icc saying that he feared the politisation of the court where potentially american officers would be hauled to court on trumped up political and biased charges. today his wife, the secretary of state, enforces the policies of the obama administration which are internationalist and biased in a way that president clinton could not have imagined.

What about the billions of $ in Swiss bank accounts given to Arafat and his ilks? None to benefit his people.

"Look judge, they didn't wear army clothing" - Maybe they can't afford it, besides the IDF was fighting the civilians of Gaza, they shot at anything that moved. Check breaking silence "Qassam rockets for 8 years!" - While the occupation continued?, also, were the rockets solely by Hamas? Didn't think so "Look their terrorists OK - the muslim would hates us blah blah blah" No the international community hates the Israeli Govt for the occupation and massacre it commits every 2 years on the Palestinian people

"Israel broke the ceasefire on Nov 4." Presumably, you are referring to the attack on the good farmer folks digging for ... ummm... potatoes under moonlight. According to Jackson Diehl in the Washington Post last week, 372 rockets and mortars were fired on Sderot and Ashkelon between May 15 and Nov 4. This is the "Cease Fire" you are buying into? OK, I admit the rate of fire was less that the previous six months. But where I was educated, a cease fire would be zero rockets and mortars. There was only one way Hamas was going to get the message. Notice that the rate of fire went WAY down. It is coming back up now. Hamas is recalibrating to see what they can get away with. Watch it carefully.

I openly urge the US gov't to conduct thorough war crimes investigations for excessive force used in WWII against the Japanese soldiers on the Pacific Islands, not to mention Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and against Nazi German cities of Hamburg and Dresden. It would really clear the air if this were done! After the dust from this outrageous urging settles, I would urge Israel to deliver a simple message to the US....the middle finger.

You are being unfair. Basic decency and a healthy sense of cultural relativism require you to consider that there are standards different from those which guide your logic. To you, a six year old girl who is raped is a victim and your value system immediately calls out to prosecute the offender. Another value system says the girl has shamed the family and must be put to death. Why do you think your value system is better? Because it has put you on the moon, conquered diseases, and created the internet? Maybe to the rape victim's family, going to the moon is not important, life is cheap, and they can't afford a computer. So they stone the girl to death. Allah and the local Mullah told them to. Who is to say what is better? Same with the way Arab men fight. Why not send children running across the field to clear mines? Why not send bombers into a pizza parlor? Life is cheap, and it works. Only a fool or a person raised in an enlightened objective society would disagree.

War is a crime. The criminals are found on all sides usually among those in authority who perpetrate and perpetuate the violence in lives, language and legions. Just exactly when will we "study war no more" and eradicate this violence among people. Enough.

the obama administration gave the goldstone report the normal u.s. rubberstamp of disapproval... soon followed by a more pragmatic urging that israel consider goldstone's recommendation that it seriously investigate the report's findings. in other words: yes it does "appear" the report focused primarily on israel, BUT; that does NOT affect the validity of its findings. in other other words: the idf investigation was a blatant whitewash; and screaming "BIAS!" doesn't make the truth go away.

Remember Jeremiah in the Bible? " Jeremiah searched through the streets of Jerusalem for a man who acts justly, who seeks integrity" For a long time I felt sorry for Jeremiah for I was sure he will never find what he is looking for. Thank you Judge Goldstone for now Jeremiah can rest.

"...work with an intermediary to sort our problems." [Keith T] Great idea, Keith. It would go like this: Israel: Tell me your problem. Hamas: I want every last Jew in this part of the world dead or gone. Can't you read our Charter? Do you have a problem with that? Israel: Well, ... yes. Keith T.: You are new to all this, aren't you?

in Israel in every conflict. there is no camparison between Israel army policies to avoid civilian casualties and those of the US and Europe. Israel is miles ahead. What is not "credible" is the reputation of the UNHRC and by extension those who work for it such as the goldstones.

...you are making yourself look even more pathetic than usual when you try to impugn Richard Goldstone, a ludicrous undertaking in itself, and you ignore the actual findings in the report. I don't believe that even you, as cold-hearted and hateful as you have shown yourself to be over the years in these talkbacks, could fail to be moved by the very real crimes committed by Israeli forces during the War on Gaza. I could be wrong, it could be that you are proud of the atrocities committed by Israeli forces inside of Gaza. That's the difference between you and me. I want to see both sides brought to justice under the rule of law, and that means Israel must be held accountable for its actions just like Hamas (or Iran). The United States has now made it clear that it sees the Goldstone Report as "serious" and it wants the same investigations as the Goldstone Report concluded. Is the US seeking "power and prestige" for that as you falsely claim Goldstone is?

My, my. Goldstone has hit quite a nerve. Even Jews are now accused of being anti-semetic! Israelis just can't stand the truth. They will whitewash every criticism and try to re-write history even before it reaches the press. The secular Jewish world outside Israel may be the only salvation for Israel. But time is short.

"The lack of accountability for war crimes in the ME had reached crisis point".Does he mean Iraq and Afghanistan?.Which point is it in Africa?the Muslim world?. "these reviews can serve as confidence-building" The atrocities they blame each other for,will be confidence-building,how ironic.

Obviously Goldstone is senile, otherwise how can one explain that he fell asleep during the Israelis' testimony, for instance the physician who has been wounded when a Kassam fell on her clinic while she was taking care of a young woman and her little child, who were also seriously wounded? If he is not senile, all the other possibilities are much worse.

-d on the palestinian side as well. And let us not forget to keep historical as well as factual perspective on the definition of a war crime

probe". Israel is America's only trust worthy ME ally. Clean your own house first. Git mo anyone? Abu Greiv?

but justice is another story. Yes cast lead was avoidable,Hammas were warned repeateadly to stop firing their missiles. They chose to continue,they chose to fight from amongst their civillians without uniforms and stopped civillians from leaving telling them they would havre the privilege of martyrdom. Hamas was elected with their obliterate Israel by Islam platform,they greeted the last Israeli leaving Gaza with a missile barrage at Israel to show what they were all about. Did you interpret that as a Hamas confidence building peace move?

Richard Goldstone perptrated a moral crime.Not against Israel but against human rights. He turned them into a weapon for dark regimes. The deeper one digs into the report, the more it becomes clear that Goldstone is a criminal hiding under the umbrella of human rights. On behalf of human rights, he and his lies must be exposed. The truth must come to light. Ben-Dror Yemini, Maariv,25.9.09

Maybe you have forgotten but Israel lis not the first country investigated by Judge Goldstone. Last I knew neither Rwanda nor Bosnia had anything to do with Jews. Stop trying to shoot the messenger because you don't like the message. Also maybe if Israel had not made such a big stink over the results of the findings of the commission it might not have been such a big deal. Once again Israel shoots itself in the foot and pays a justified price.

Ignore the UN kangoroo court. After all, it is a home of a collection of totalitarian regimes who comand democratic representation in this institution while failing to do the same to their own people at home. The same instituting equated Zionism with racism a decision it had to rescind. This court has nothing to do with justice. This is a political institution and as such should not be considered as legal. As in all democratic countries the judicial institution is independent of the ppolitical system.

Excellent. Goldstone is telling us the thrue, and we do not like to listen to it. He is gaving us the oportunity, once more, to rewritte the story, by investigating and making justice. There will not be any peace if both size get convinced that there is a limit, no way to kill, to destroy lives only because you are inhabitant of this region. I can eventhough compare both size at the same level, because ours is a country, a military force, a democratic state, a western and educated state, as mot say. Palestinian still are not a country, so the way to control is more difficult. To us is ashame, and people that live in America, that are angry because Golstone way, I tell them, your are not doing any good favor to Israel, Israel has to change in order to survive...

26. In order to provide the parties concerned with an opportunity to submit additional relevant information and express their position and respond to allegations, the Mission also submitted comprehensive lists of questions to the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza authorities in advance of completing its analysis and findings. The Mission received replies from the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza authorities but not from Israel.

6. Notes verbales were sent to all Member States of the United Nations and United Nations organs and bodies on 7 May 2009. On 8 June 2009, the Mission issued a call for submissions inviting all interested persons and organizations to submit relevant information and documentation to assist in the implementation of its mandate. 7. Public hearings were held in Gaza on 28 and 29 June and in Geneva on 6 and 7 July 2009. 8. The Mission repeatedly sought to obtain the cooperation of the Government of Israel. After numerous attempts had failed, the Mission sought and obtained the assistance of the Government of Egypt to enable it to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. 9. The Mission has enjoyed the support and cooperation of the Palestinian Authority and of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations. Due to the lack of cooperation from the Israeli Government, the Mission was unable to meet members of the A/HRC/12/48 page 14 Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. The Mission did, however, meet officials of the Palestinian Authority, including a cabinet minister, in Amman. During its visits to the Gaza Strip, the Mission held meetings with senior members of the Gaza authorities and they extended their full cooperation and support to the Mission. 10. Subsequent to the public hearings in Geneva, the Mission was informed that a Palestinian participant, Mr. Muhammad Srour, had been detained by Israeli security forces when returning to the West Bank and became concerned that his detention may have been a consequence of his appearance before the Mission. The Mission is in contact with him and continues to monitor developments.

Doctor zeuss.some scientist. Now back to facts. Qatzrin also known as Katzrin------"NOT Katzim" is in the occupied territories as in occupied Golan Heights. Are you really an Israeli???. Could not find a reference to any place called katzim. Must be one of those unoccupied territories Israel is famous for.

....there is quite a bit of anti-American sentiment around on the TB of an Israeli newspaper. Is it fair to assume, that the average American taxpayer might not be very "amused", if he would see that...???

Jews for Jews. Not interested in biblical stories--unless they happen to agree with my philosphy ---do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Oh and international Law as in Geneva Conventions and Hague regs. Otherwise your book has some problems. well for me at least---you know ---real estate deals in the sky for one example. You will have to try just a tad harder. Shouldn,t you be working insread of abusing your masters time.

The only probe that's necessary should be conducted by the International Criminal Court at the Hague, with Olmert, Barack and Livni on trial with their minions.

cipora we have to see the nuances and not look for single colour explanations.goldstone is a fool and he has made a stupid choice in accepting this job.the foolishness is unending and fill volumes. however he does have a saving grace and this for me was a speech he made in south africa in the 1990s.he said the following about the jews: "we must not seek to act like others.we have our own standards" so you see cipora the man is not wholly base metal.there is something else there of more value. still he is a fool and has harmed us.

The knee-jerk reaction of Israelis to condemn Goldstone's criticism is sickening. No reflection, no possibility of any blame. How can there ever be peace with that sort of reaction? The Cast Lead War was totally avoidable. Years ago Israel should have been prepared end the siege of Gaza and work with an intermediary to sort our problems. The original settlements in Gaza were totally wrong too and provocative.

"america is more vulnerable then israel on these charges." This is my favourite type of defence from the Israeli right. As long as somebody somewhere is as bad or worse, Israel is entitled to do rotten things. I guess that means that only after everyone in the world is absolutely perfect, will it be necessary for Israel to behave decently.

Before the fence and qassam firing by the thousands after the fence.? Why did 'justice' only appear when Israel hit BACK? Where were these humnaitarians when the Lebanese army artillery pounded Ansar Al Islam and destroyed the homes of everybody there? Why havent they prosecuted any of the mullahs who sent children running ovewr landmines? Why havent YOU protested over Hamas using schools hospitals and ambulances or the Hamas MP who proudly announced they were using women and children,on video for all to see.?

"ill-informed and ignorant of the truth" Gee, I guess we could throw that back at you.

I can hardly wait! How do you spell "whitewash"?

"As far as the judge goes, i`d venture to say that the man has more integrity in his baby finger them most of you will ever see in your lifetime." John I venture to say that the Man may even be senile sleeping through the court proceedings

The IDF has proved time and again that it is not capable of doing an open and transparent investigation. I still think the State of Israel is capable of doing that. But I may be wrong. The US is capable of pursuing low level allegations against enlisted people. But may be incapable of going after big fish. Our country is struggling with that now. Goldstone leveled charges against Hamas, too. I don't think the PA is capable of doing a credible open and transparent investigation of the charges against Hamas. It would, indeed, be a shame if the State of Israel is no more capable than the PA or Hamas.

Seems Mark that you have occupied Gaza on your mind. You should have heard BiBi's speech even the Palestinian Rep to the Un sat through 3/4 of it. "Israel may renounce it`s status as the legal occupying power in Gaza any time it wants." tell you a secret Israel is not anywhere in Gaza. SSH your ilk don't know it is a secret.

Nazis loved them What Jews were left after the war Killed them, so if you want an equasion there is a good one for you. When V2 Hit London you guys smashed Germany Imagine if the UN was around then , given your logic England would have faced War crimes for killing German civilians. Nuff Said

Katzim is not only in Israel it was also in biblical Israel. Being from Ireland of course you should stick to what you know.

The UNHRC is the real culprit here. The UN's reputation for fairness and accuracy is once again eroded to the point of pointlessness.

he had accepted a commission from an organ of the un that is filled with serial violators of human rights and which has been hounding israel for years. the man is interested in power and prestige.

as quoted today by Voice of America: "The mission found that the attack on the only remaining flour-producing factory, the destruction of a large part of the Gaza egg production, the bulldozing of huge tracts of agricultural land, and the bombing of some 200 industrial facilities, could not on any basis be justified on military grounds. Those attacks had nothing whatever to do with the firing of rockets and mortars at Israel," Goldstone said. "These attack amounted to reprisals and collective punishment and constitute war crimes." Obviously Judge Goldstone understands the issues at hand. Can the apologists out there please explain how Israel acted in a moral way by intentionally depriving ordinary civilians of food? I didn't think so...

all these people screaming about Goldstone being "anti semetic" "anti Israel" or "ignorant" take a good hard look at the facts. A zionist Jew could not deny the crimes in Gaza. The world watched what was going on and when the world asked for answers, all the world got was arrogant Israeli militant and polical leaders offering no explaination-just idiotic taking points.and now it seems to be that Israeli's have such a 'herd mentality' that all they know how to do is repeat the same idiotic talking points.

Goldstone is nothing but a peacock strutting in front of the world. He has no shame whatever. Accepting an appointment from the HRC, filled with the worst violators of human rights is a disgrace in itself. His report is a totally biased one and exceeds the mandate of even the biased HRC. Goldstone has no understanding of war fare, especially warfare fought against a terror organisation embedded in a civilian population. Goldstone has done more harm to Israel than any other human with the exception of the master terrorists.

i am a scientist.i observe and record.i observe the beasts of the jungle and record their behaviour.scientists do not complain.that is against our nature.we see and record the animals as they trek the jungles in search of a kill.many on the site long to see blood. many of these are wanna be killers. they are too timid to act on their deepest wishes. they come here every day.a blood sport you see.

did obama think for a minute of the serial. horrific human rights violations in most of the muslim world before he decided to appease that world? does the obama administration ask anyone, including itself and western allies to investigate war crimes committed in iraq and afghanistan? does the obama administration really understand the implications of its appeasement policies toward countries that openly support and export and finance terror worldwide?

It has been Israel who has pushed, shoved, beat, bombed, shot and stolen from, the Palestinians for the last 60+ years!

But highly unlikely to occur. Who would sit on such a commission in Israel? The military itself, as has often been the cse in previous investigations? If Israel does not heed the advice of the US, it will further imnplicate itself in what are the valid findings of the Goldstone Commission. It knows this and hence will not cooperate in any way, which will not bode well for Israel or its travelling accused.

"the hypocrisy is astonishing" And you are an ingrate. What about those billions of dollars America gives Israel every year? If you take someone's money, you have to take their advice...America has every right to ask you to conduct an enquiry.

"ben alofs is the biggest hater of them all.like a nature film of wildlife in the jungles of africa.the anti semites smell blood and hunt in packs" And you, harzion, are the biggest whiner and holder of pity parties here...

So is Chomsky.

Israel has already carried out it,s investigations and got the result they wanted. But Hark, they may see it as a way to stall peace. But then having carried out a two hour far reaching extensive probe they cannot now take three years to do a more thorough one. Poor Israel---led by morons who replaced morons who replaced morons---ans so on and so on.

This is the main basis! "failed to take feasible precautions required by international law to avoid or minimize loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects." This is israel obligation, emails, text messages, preemtive strike notices were not enough. What were Hamas precautions. The world is laughing at the report!

you have given the bloodhounds a taste of first blood.

ben alofs is the biggest hater of them all.like a nature film of wildlife in the jungles of africa.the anti semites smell blood and hunt in packs.

they have killed tens of thousands of civilians in iraq afghanistan and somalia as well as pakistan. how on earth is it possible for them to ask us to conduct an inquiry? the hypocrisy is astonishing.

they killed 1000 somalis in 20 hours.eight hundred were civilians.do an investigation before lecturing us.

where is this guy nowadays

Beans make gas so time to let your gas out Lahbras...In more than ten coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai, India, Pakistani Muslim terrorists murdered at least 173 people. Among the victims were Chabad emissaries Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, as well as six other hostages held there. Mumbai doctors who examined the victims? bodies said they were tortured before being slaughtered ? and that "the Israeli victims bore the maximum torture marks.? where was the un tribunal for that?

The Goldstone report downplays the years of rocketing by Gazans against civilian populations in Israel. Israel was patient, more so than any other nation, and finally responded. Since Hamas hid amongst it's own civilians, it is responsible for those casualties tho it cyncially has exploited them for propaganda gains. The Goldstone report inverts the reality, and therefor is invalid in conception and detail.

Iraqi civilians were bombed so far ? But lets start with Hiroshima and Nagasaki , sorry Dresden , Berlin , Hamburg ....Now let give some work , for now out of work , Goldstone . Or it is only Israel being singled out , who does much less collateral damage then any of you ever imagine , while fighting an existential war ???? Obama , try not to put your foot in your mouth chasing insanely political correctness , unless it applies evenly to all .

the list is long , all should be investigated for trying to control terror , and soon Osama will rule the world . Oh , I forgot it is only Israel will be scrutinized . So , dear terrorists , do not terrorize anybody else , only Israel , because Goldstone will not come to your defense . But if you terrorize only Israel many Goldstones will help you to get away with impunity . Obama is loosing it , but who said the world is fair ?

Israel can discard the report into the trash bin. Behind the UN is the corruption and manipulation of the Islamist-Jihadist and AntiSemite world that is crusading its latent agenda against Israel. Goldstone who does not know the GOD of Israel and the Land of Israel plays right into their hands. A report that disparages a nation for defending itself against external aggressions is nothing but a piece of trash!

It has yet again emboldened the Islamists to daily fire rockets at Israeli civilians as has been occurring since Goldstone made his report public. But then, that was the UNHRC desire. Might as well wait for Israeli responses to the report. Given the actions of Hamastan, Cast Lead the Sequel is sure to follow!

"Moreover, the definition of occupation deployed by the report is entirely bogus." - Paul Freedman Israel may renounce it's status as the legal occupying power in Gaza any time it wants. It has not. You had better check with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you start contradicting them.

What is not understood is that Mr. Goldstone is looking for a secure job! He can now start investigate - for example, - the UK destruction of Dresden, the Sudan massacre by Muslims, the massacre by the South African against their own people, Viet Nam's killings by the USA, Guerrnica by Spain, etc etc. The problem is that nobody cares, to say the least. Only when Jews are involved it becomes of interest.

"The IDF has already conducted extensive investigations. " - Paul Freedman The IDF became exhausted and ran out of whitewash. The ugly white blossoms of White Phosphorous remain unconcealed, as did the fact that civilian casualties far outstripped terrorist casualties. The whitewash was insufficient to hide bombed shelters, schools and hospitals. Then along came Goldstone turning over ruins and shining light in dark corners.

Nice to see even American moderates slowly but surely changing their position on Israel as victim. It's been long in coming, but now that Bibi's biggest champsions in the US are rightwing, racist, war-mongering loons, it's inevitable.

It seems to me that all too many people have forgotten that had there been no Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza there would be no Hamas. Hamas did not become a factor until the Palestinians had suffered over 20 years of Israeli oppression and domination. Hamas began as a charitable organization, which it still is, and was originally supported by Israel as a counterweight to the secular PLO. But when the PLO showed the Palestinians that it could not deliver their lands in the West Bank and Gaza or end the occupation even after they recognized Israel in 1988 many people turned to Hamas, To put the situation in four words: No occupation. No Hamas.

How can we believe you when you give Israel as your address. Qatzrin is not in Israel. Why do you lie.

So you think the desire for peace, without specifics about the settlement is political?? That's nuts. Every decent human being on the planet, including that vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians, agree that they want peace. They just don't agree on the terms. You post is a clear example of the mindset of the most vicious and fanatical Israelis. You dont want peace. You oppose "peaceful coexistence." Instead, you want to kill or force Palestinians out of the West Bank and probably Israel too (even Israeli citizens). Your actions are not comparable, but your mindset is very similar to that of the German National Socialists. Fortunately, the majority of Israelis reject this monstrous mentality. No reasonable person could possibly object to Goldstone's comments about peace.

is the blood of Arab children in Jewish Matzoh??? I say investigate Goldstone and his one-sided anti-semitic motives and then dismiss the report. Anything that comes out of UNWA is garbage, and, anyone, including the most antisemitic anti-US President, Obama, that can't stand up for reason, the truth, and our best ally Israel should be totally ignored.

Israel simply has to answer to the allegations of war crimes. To ignore the findings is to ignore the rule of law. To hide behind the rhetoric of anti-Israeli sentiment is to sweep human rights abuses under the rug and burn the flags of justice. That is how the monsters of terror are born. Israel is blinded by it own religious fanaticism to its to its own attrocities. Terrorism comes in two forms, those that kill outside the law and those that kill because they are above. It is time for Israel to start acting within the rules of international law. Only then can it claim to be a civilized Western democracy worthy of being taken seriously.

For one, it presupposes the IDF would have any aversion to firing on areas containing civilians.

But you must realize that he's a "21st centuray Kapo" as one person so delicately put it...Wow!

Read the report, then speak. Your house of propaganda is collapsing and you are panicked. Your irrationalism can only be attributed to that. The game is over and the actions of the IDF have been exposed for all to see. You simply have no weapons left in your arsenal of subtrafuge and deception. War crimes are war crimes, regardless of who commitis them and your charge of all civilians in Gaza being terrorists is what we heard from the apologists of apartheid. Go figure! The shell game is over.

" he is not willing to hold Hamas accountable for launching a war against Israel," My dear, Hamas didn't launch any war. Israel broke the ceasefire on Nov 4. Goldstone does however believe Hamas is ALSO guilty or war crimes, Just not to the extent of Israel. The culprits from both sides should be prosecuted. If they're innocent the will go free. It's time the world did something about the wholesale slaughter of civilians.

a public investigation. What is Israel afraid of? The fact of the matter is that Israel has a lot to answer for and by trying to find an excuse--the usual stuff of accusing others of being anti-Semitic--it undermines its own credibility. So, what is Israel afraid of? The truth? Come on, grow up and face the music.

He would not be the first self-hating Jew, history is replete with them.

balls to stand up to the Arabs... Its seems the world are a bunch of cowards. Maybe its time for the US, Europe, etc to be investigated for war crimes in Iraq and Afganistan... Should Israel be the good friend and tell them the same? Maybe some drastic threats will clear the problem up.

Now that has a history of resounding success. Investigate this: The U.N. report said Israel fired the chemical agent white phosphorus in civilian areas, intentionally fired upon hospitals using high-explosive artillery shells, and failed to provide effective warnings to civilians or U.N. workers before attacks, all of which can be war crimes. It also claims that Israel used Palestinian civilians as human shields and deliberately attacked Palestinian food supplies in Gaza.

Iran gave the rockets to Hamas to be used to draw attention away from thier illegal Nuclear sites... With all this attention put on Israel, the world will look for Justice. But what the world will missout on is the chance to eliminate the reason why Isreal weant into Gaza in the first palce. Elimintate the Restrctive regime in Iran and you will no longer see human rights being violated in this manner and there might actually be a chance for peace. Any attention given to the Goldstone report only goes to strengthen Irans goal of complete mid-east domination.

Israel is always innocent. Give it a rest---the report will be adopted by the UNHRC for further action. That is if you decide to turn down another offer to allowyou to plead your case.But with all that evidence---better get yourselves a "Dream team". Hell you could always dust off the old Melvin Belli "Cookie Defense" Bummer that---aint it--having to explain for once in your 60 year criminal history.

If Israel thinks it did nothing wrong in its massive attack on Gaza then why did they refuse to allow in journalists? Why did they refuse to cooperate with Judge Goldstone? Why did they try to silence the courageous IDF members who reported war crimes? If Israel has nothing to hide they should completely cooperate with the investigations of what happened in Gaza. As for those who damn Judge Goldstone for having been a judge in apartheid South Africa, it should not be forgotten that during the apartheid years Israel was one of South Africa's closest friends. Judge Goldstone is a respected judge and Israel is not the first country that he has criticized for having committed war crimes. But Israel is the first country to reject the Judge and his report. As for those who say that Goldstone is a traitor to the Jewish people where is it written that no one should criticize Jews when they do bad things? Goldstone is a hero and a courageous man.

...perhaps you should read the report, the Obama administration surely has. The Goldstone Report thoroughly documents the evidence that it found of the use of human shields. I agree it is horrible, horrible. Israel should immediately stop the practice.

Shalom is correct. I can't believe how stupid the United Nations is and how stupid the American Presidential administration is being. However, remember that 60 percent of Americans want this current presidency voted out. So, keep you chin up. The majority of American disagree with the report and with the criticism of Israel. Shalom and Todah and Boker Tov (It's morning here)

do you think Israel is fair? Their demand for the world not to question any of their actions. The world saw what went on in Gaza and when they asked for answers from the Israelis, they got nothing but arrogant millitants and politicians refusing to answer any questions. Stop comparing Israel's actions to Hamas. Israel has a super power military and Israel created far more damage to Gaza than Hamas could ever dream of doing. GET REAL

collabarated with. Imagine ---collabarating witht he very people who are murdering your fellow Jews. My oh my. Care to tell me which Nazi War criminals found haven in Ireland anymore than they found said haven in the USA or elsewhere---but I guess you could give three billion reasons why that is different. Ishai---why not address the issue at hand---the war crimes comitted by Israel in Gaza. No answer---hey?. Say Ishai---how you managing now you have to treat people equally---must be tough huh?.

Who ever wrote #39 is not an American. That person does not speak or write American, so please disregard what he / she contributed. Wow! So many people claim to be American, but they don't even know what it means. I can always tell a real American - we love Israel.

I am proud to say that I am an American Jew who voted for Obama. Not only do I think he is better for America but he is 100% times better for Israel than Bush. If anything, he is being to easy on Israel..the goldstone report is not anti Israel or anti jewish, Goldstone is a zionist Jew and even he could not deny the war crimes Israel comitted. what really scares american Jews is the current Israeli mentality-that Israeli government cannot be wrong. It has turned into a brainwashed anti intellectual society. Open your eyes and take a good real look at the reality and stop blabbing your idiotic talking points.

"Human Rights Council" and little about the nation-state of the Jewish people which the "Council" is so eager to demonize, to de-legitimize. For eight consecutive years civilian Jews in Israel were in the line of fire coming from Gaza daily, small arms fire, mortars and rockets launched from within civilian population in Gaza. The UN was silent about it. The "progressives" of the world didn't express themselves with even a single word of protest. Only when the Jewish state of Israel, after many warnings and requests to cease the fire, set out to finally protect its citizens did the UN have something to say about it, having sent the watch dog, Goldstone, to "prove" its pre-determined point: Israel is guilty. Thus, the Goldstone Affair was put into motion, now being used by Goldstone to advance his name so as to become the next head of the UN. The world should treat this Affair for what it is and the UN for what it contributes. Nothing, nada, zero to peace and goodwill.

Enough is enough....

You are so proud of Obama that is why America is going downhill. If you beleive in UN reports so much check the recent report that puts China in 2035 a larger economy then the US. America is turning into a not have country. All your so called accomplishments in high tech were actually developed in Israel ask Intel and Microsoft. Most of the technology in your new fughters were devloped in Israel. The US needs Israel and Obama one day will recognize that but will be too late because he will be ousted in the next elections like Carter one term President.

...there is no such thing as a "Goldstein doctrine" because there is no such report. The extremely well-respected international jurist and Zionist Richard Goldstone chaired the UN mission that found both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during the War on Gaza. Now known internationally as the Goldstone Report, the United States has also joined with others in demanding Israel fully and transparently investigate the crimes reported.

It is shameful to call Mr Goldstone a "Kapo". He clearly has a great deal more integrity than you. He is an eminent judge and has established credentials, which unbiased observors will note. You think by name calling you will in some way diminish his authority but you won't. He has no axe to grind with regard to Israel. He is an honourable man standing up against evil. Perhaps the history of the Jewish people taught him that this is important.

Do you wish to open that can of worms? Lets talk about compensation,reparations and apologies for the half million Jews pressured and forcibly ejected from the Arab countries, can we talk about that Ezra? or is that a subject not on the table. I don't know whether folks like you make me laugh or cry. Smell the coffee or whatever it is you drink in the morning. Get a clue. PS I am half Arab.

Not everybody hates you!, it is time you start listen to your friends and the world and stop with the Jewish paranoia of us against the world. Start listen and accept advice like the rest of the world does and maybe than the world will start respect you again.

They can kill with impunity. It's their "Divine Right." Crimes can only be committed if it's Jew against Jew. Gentiles don't count. Salaam/Shalom

Nobody here is in favour of letting war criminals walk free, surely? They have to be brought to justice like any common criminal, the moreso as atrocities against civilians are unpardonable in this day and age. The defence that "Goldstone admonishes Israel as if she can arbitrarily pick and choose how to neutralize threats against her", as one TB puts it, shows how far Israel misunderstands the gravity here. The whole point of the Geneva Conventions and international law is that armies CANNOT 'arbitrarily' choose to do certain things, e..g. shell civilian homes, shoot people under white flags, use human shields and so on. These have long been OUTLAWED in warfare, whether the enemy is wearing uniform or not. Every nation and its military commanders are fully aware of the rules and the consequences. Both Hamas and Israel callously chose to ignore them and put civilians in harms way, in a cowardly way. Simple rule really: If you can''t do the time, don't do the crime.

WHAT A COMPLETE JOKE...IS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION GOING TO CHARGE ITSELF WITH WAR CRIMES AFTER 90 AFGAN CIVILIANS WERE KILLED LAST MONTH WHEN US FORCES BOMBED FUEL TRUCKS? ISRAEL SHOULD DO NOTHING AND IGNORE ALL THIS OR YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOURSELF AGAIN.

Since BHO took office, over 1000 INNOCENT Pakistani and Afghan civilians have been killed by US drone attacks. The US military has admitted it. The US commanders further admitted it will continue since the Taliban use human shields (just like Hamas - it's an Islamist war tactic) and that that practice will not stop the US from its required mission. So.....why the double standard. Why is BHO not ordering a criminal investigation to admitted attacks on civilians ordered by the HIGHEST levels of the Pentagon and approved by ....that's right .... BHO himself!

"Why last I checked all you commenters thought the US would make this go away." Why, last I checked, the U.S. will likely do that very thing after all you anti-Israeli wackos are done letting off steam.

"The whole UN human rights commission is always been biased against Israel" What proof do you have of this claim, and why do you believe it? "US government under Obama is doing a good job in taking the side of the UN and the Arabs" That explains why we pay Israel billions of dollars while the Palestinians live in refugee camps, I suppose? "All the Jewish people that voted for Obama should be ashamed voting for him" Why? Because he doesn't put Israel before America? You are wrong if you really think that is what American Jews want. The Jews I work with here in Connecticut all voted for Democrat Obama. Any American Jews who put Israel's interests before those of America are free to live in Israel any time they want to.

Goldstone yes a jurist from Soth Africa but not aware of the real issues of the middle east. He is not aware for example Hamas militants are dressed as civilians so Mr Goldstone takes it at face value whatever Hamas says without an investigation. The whole UN human rights commission is always been biased against Israel. US government under Obama is doing a good job in taking the side of the UN and the Arabs. All the Jewish people that voted for Obama should be ashamed voting for him.

Israel and its Lawless Hamas..are Playing with their people's lives... Israel Set Hamas up to play with it..and this is what it got.. Goldstone is NO DUMMY...He is putting the blame RIGHT where it Belongs...

If he wants to find "war crimes" and not the phony, trumped up lies of the Gaza terrorists and their self-hating Jewish apologists like Goldstone. And for that matter, let Posner investigate the hundreds of thousands of dead from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, particularly since those countries never attacked the U.S., in contrast to Gaza which lobbed thousands of rockets onto Israeli civilian communities. It's a wonder the State Department doesn't choke on its own hypocrisy.

We understand that the statement came from a Mr. Michael Posner of the State Dept. It is of course another U.S. effort to be even- handed, balanced etc. etc. But it is just so hypocritical it infuriates. It is of course absolutely wrong to blame Israel for the Hamas- initiated hostilities in Gaza. But when the U.S. which has killed so many civilians in all kinds of military operations over so long a period of time- does this it is simply absurd. It too is a betrayal of a real friend and ally who happens to be facing the kind of assymentrical war against a terror- society that the U.S. in a sense is facing now in Afghanistan- Pakistan. Instead of understanding one in a situation roughly similar to their own the Americans here turn their back on their friends. Disgusting.

U.S. to Israel: Probe alleged Gaza war crimes to advance peace, Israel to USA who gave guatanamo bay prisoners a fair trial ?

One does not get that from people who discover their human side only after Israel hit back following years of bombing Israeli civillians. One does not get natural justice from prejudgment of the case. One does not get that from a judge who falls asleep or ignores evidence that does not suit his prejudices.

For the obvious reason. And that should give Israeli's pause to think. Do they really like what their nation is becoming?

The IDF has already conducted extensive investigations. The Goldstein product is a fatally flawed politicized document with grievously fundamental mis-statements as to the rights and obligations of illegal combatants waging war from civilian areas and those who do, indeed, have the the right to respond to those attacks--the Goldstein doctrine would permit any militia member a free pass to fire on civilians of the opposing hostile power without permitted response. Moreover, the definition of occupation deployed by the report is entirely bogus. The report cannot in good conscience be used as the basis for anything and the American position vis a vis its putative ally is rank betrayal.

...Affair - yes, it is the Goldstone Affair and not an "investigation" - is the latest such act. If the UN ever wishes to reinstate its good name and positive reputation among the members of the public, at least in liberal democratic countries of which Israel is one, it should dump this "report" and appologize to the entire Jewish people for singling it out during the past 61 years as the cause of evil in the world, and all due to political and economic motivation being tied to the Arab world with oil and therefore goodwill. Shame on you, UN, shame on you!!!

Only one poster even noticed the headline/read the story? Why last I checked all you commenters thought the US would make this go away. People like myself vowed that it would not go away, that I would call and write every Congresscritter and official in a position to make a difference. Keep those cards and letters coming folks. It really does make a difference, and Israel will now be required to investigate its crimes. Game over.

Maybe the US is mistaken and Israel does not have the wherewithal to do an open and transparent investigation of the allegations. Both Goldstone and the US may be making a completely false assumption of Israeli democratic institutions and capabilities. Better to know now so Israel can have a chance to build up those institutions along side the needed, parallel ones on the Palestinian side.

Goldstone said, "People of the region should not be demonized". He certainly is talking about Israel demonizing the Arabs. What he doesn't realize is that the source of all of the problems is that their leaders and community as a whole demonizes Israel! True religious Muslims of Israel/Palestine leave no room for non-Muslims. The catastrophy of Cast Lead was caused only by Hamas' evil behavior and no other reason at all. He should hear what my Palestinian Christian and Israeli Druze friends have to say about the slaves of Hamas in Gaza. Still, Europeans will continue to call Israelis racist and criminals.

... and is the crime against Israeli humanity that Goldstone's rushed report failed to acknowledge or address.

"Yes everyone killed were civilians, but civilians holding guns. Are these still civilians??" That includes the hundreds of women and children who were killed, I suppose?

Judge Goldstein's approach does make eminent sense. If war crimes are prosecuted vigorously, potential war criminals will think twice before committing them. Any neutral observer cannot but agree that Israel committed war crimes on a serious scale in Gaza. The wealth of evidence is there for all to read and to see on the tv news. Goldstone did go to Gaza and spent a lot of time collecting testimonies. They fit in with what local and Israeli human rights organizations found. Amnesty International has concluded that war crimes were committed. Israel chose not to give evidence and by refusing to cooperate or defend its behaviour make itself more suspect in the eyes of many. The ad hominem attacks on Goldstein here on Talkback are vile, but his detractors forget that the vast majority of people in the world have come to know judge Richard Goldstone as a person committed to justice and fairness, a person who has always looked for the truth.

fair investigation? Their "politicians" will say but that was the military wing and we have no control of them because we are the political wing. Therefore no terrorist will ever be brought to Justice. Only Israel will be held accountable, and it will be held accountable to a standard that no other country is, not the US UK Russia Arab states.

... a gift bestowed by all Arab Leaders to themselves to impedes the rule of law in the Middle East ! If only Goldstone understand that ! His report is from another World. A World where truth an Justice are not part of it ! Both of them are used for a purpose in the Middle East ! The purpose is simple. The Arabs are always right. And the leaders are always more right than the rest; as long as their heads are between their shoulders ! Goldstone engaged himself in an impossible task and ends up in an impossible conclusions. Backtracking now is impossible !

While Judge Goldstone was the report's leader, his composition did not create itself on its own. The fact that his own daughter points out that were he not on the committee, it would have been magnitudes worse shows that this was supposed to be a usual UN HRC railroad job.

Deliberately with no military value at a civilian population is a war crime, then why is it only now that investigates are being done? The report is not credible for the simple reason is that it only became an issue when Israel reacted as best it could to war crimes committed for the past 8 years by those living in Gaza. Just another in a long line of examples of how Israel is treated unfairly in the UN.

It's always amazed me how those who defend themselves are always in the wrong. Look to who continually breaks peace and continually does bombing raids against Israel. Would the U.S. look the other way if it's civilians were being bombed. World Trade Center??

Years of rocket firing into Israel is a real annoyance and danger for the civilians in that area. Never amounted to a national security threat. Why wait until after the US election and end before Obama's presidency started. IDF Took adavantage of that window of time. What a mess..a complete investigation should go forward. Let the facts indicate the outcome.

The US should look into the war crimes committed by the Bush regime and its aiding of Saudi interest and not harass Israel on behalf of Arab oil interest.

Israel has better things to do than investigate reports made by Pallywood.

Russia in Chechnia too? Sri Lanka and Tamils too? Come on Goldstone! Why don't you admit that you and your employer are only after Israel - being the only people who can and do investigate themselves? While poor Hamas, so downcast and pitiful, cannot possibly do such thing, you know? AFTER ALL, SINCE WHEN DO TERRORISTS INVESTIGATE THEMSELVES?

Mr. Goldstone is a Jew, a Zionist and an honorable and reliable judge. No one can talk against him including you and you folowers. Truth is truth and no one can change it.

Good move by the USA. The first IDF investigation was a whitewash. It is time for the IDF and Israel to do a credible investigation. Goldstone was not biased. He reported the facts. Israel chose to refuse to cooperate. From all appearances, Israel had much to hide. YouTube videos seem to substatiate some of Goldstone's findings.

Maybe your country can provide a safe haven for the Hamas Terrorists just like it did for the Nazi War Criminals, hey?

"His panel found the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militants committed war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during their December-January war." Both are reprehensible & the numbers of PEOPLE who suffered loss of life, limb, & property is staggering.

And stat listening maybe we'll get someplace. Goldstone didn't issue a verdict, he found there is basis for allegations of war crimes and thus to inquire. Israel will be smart to accept his suggestion and initiate its own inquiry into those suspicions and let the chips fall where they may.

Its clear in his statements. he thinks the Israelis are the White south africans, and the Palestinians are the Black south africans. He can't shake that moral relativity from his observations. Subsequently, just as he would not have been willing to accuse the black south africans of crimes, he is not willing to hold Hamas accountable for launching a war against Israel, or shielding itself with innocent palestinians.

By the way---you will also be treated to the many incidents of IDF human shield usage.They referred to it in training as "the Johnhy procedure". Most moral Army===eh?. But then Israel does not do that do they. What a joke you are.

Chivalry, compassion, reciprocity are all conditions which run absent in the Mideast. Goldstone admonishes Israel as if she can arbitrarily pick and choose how to neutralize threats against her existence.

All Gaza witnesses should be evaluated by Israeli judiciary. They should be made accessible to cross examination. There was a finite number of questionable occurrences and those should be settled. Then Hamas should be taken care ...

you were invited.You had an opportunity to influence the outcome---you chose the idiots way out.Hence the normal presumption of guilt. Typical Israel---refuse to defend itself and then spend the next ten years balimg the judge. Par-thetic. As I said you are guilty as charged---for either having no defence or being guilty. You want it every way---dont you poor little apologist.

Goldstone is clearly racist: he holds the two sides to different standards, based upon his conviction that Arabs as an entity are not part of civilization, and cannot be expected to behave in certain ways. Thus, they can rocket Sderot as much as they want, because civilization's standards do not apply. But any defense by Israel must not harm any Arabs. That would be uncivilzied. You can't expect your dog to flush a toilet or use a toothbrush, can you? Same principle.

...dismantle the UN. Who needs 'em?

Does anyone here really believe for a second that the US will not in the end, guard Israel from any criminal prosecution? As far as the judge goes, i`d venture to say that the man has more integrity in his baby finger them most of you will ever see in your lifetime.

Great idea Posner. And show by way of example, probes and punishments of the US, UK and Australian killing of civilians in Afganistan, the UK and US in Iraq and NATO-all NATO!- in Serbia. Example is good leadership.

There is not a snowballs chance in hell that anyone in Gaza is any real threat to Israel and it was Israel who wilfully broke the peace back in November last year. The whole world knows it except it seems the bubble people who think Israel can do no wrong. You are imbeciles if you don't investigate properly because not one person in the world will ever again give a damn about Israel and the gangsters that run the place. If even the US can jail their own war criminals then so can Israel - Stephen Green got 5 lifetimes without any possibility of release for the horrendous war crime of rape and murder of a 14 year old girl, her 6 year old sister and her parents in a planned attack. Those who gunned down kids in Gaza in cold blood should take the same consequences.

robins your goverment was ask to join the probe! they refuse, if their where so innocent! they should have work with a jewish person!!! Give me a break! Israel is getting what it deserve fact!!

people...

The current sanctimonious President of the United States is a fair weather friend and cannot distinguish between valid charges against israel and pre-cooked indictments.

The current sanctimonious President of the United States is a fair weather friend and cannot distinguish between valid charges against israel and pre-cooked indictments.

Eitan really?? Is long it dont go the Israeli way is wrong pretty sad, not even one of your own can do right!!

Yes I do CM... All who have committed crimes should be presecuted regardless of their ethnic or country origin. Killing is killing.....and must not be tolerated

....of (right-wing and "mainstream") Israelis/ Diasporas. Haaretz TB gives rather vivid testimony to that fact.... Oh, Lord, if he only was a radical Muslim instead of an Israel friendly Jew..... Too bad..:)

Goldstone was employed by a bunch of human right abusers and fell asleep when shown videos of missiles landing on Sderot. Does your country accept judgments from judges who fall asleep and or sign letters with activists against the people they are supposed to judge.?

Its time for the world to stand up and make clear that using one's citizens as human shields is an offense against humanity and protecting one's citizens is a nation's duty. The world must break the silence on one sided attacks against Israel. They must demand an investigation into Hamas actions in the war.

Nor do they ignore evidence that does not suit their desired outcome. Is that how they hold court on your side of the apartheid wall?

Hisballah? Iran, Syria? That will be great and it will be justice.I am all ears to hear how will you take them to court. If you do that I will enthusiasticaly support Israel answer question in court.

Ever been in a courtroom and observed the Judge issuing an arrest warrant. Normal people interpret a refusal to show cause as an admission of guilt. Well except for sad little zionist propagandists such as yourself. By the way---you are right --we all made our minds up in advance---that is when we saw those crimes being comitted in all their barbarity on our tv screens. You bet we made our minds up. Just like you did about sderot. Did not notice you giving Hamas a chance to defend against your accusations. Hypocrite.

We all knew Israel would not accept the UN report so the UN, with exquisite fairness, went out of its way to select a Jew to head the commission, and a rather impressive one at that. Still it didn't matter to Israel who now has gone on the attack against Judge Goldstone, calling him a self-hating Jew, whatever that is supposed to mean. Seems to me it is Israel that is doing the hating here, even hating Jews who don't fall in line.

Middle East is awash with war criminals, I go in fast order, Hamas, Hisballah, Iran, Al Qaida, Russia, Syria. I am sure he meant THEM (unless he is a 'Useful Idiot' in words of Comrade Stalin). Why Goldstones Jewishness should be used to protect them?

the cops are out to get him. So he does not show up to prove the innocence he so vociferously proclaims. He like Israel has zero credibility unless they show up with the evidence. A prosecutor does not charge someone unless they believe them to be guilty. The defence team,s job is to prove him/her wrong. Ever been inside a courtroom. By the way---we all saw the crimes being comitted on our tv screens across the world---in all it,s barabarity. Guilty as charged---period.

Fellows ...remember that Goldstone is Jewish. No way on earth that he is not telling the truth. His report is credible and correct. Remember again, he is a Jew....

His mission was not to find facts but to finds the facts which could be used to support his conviction of Israeli's guilt.

I do think that is the case. The Goldstone report and the reactions on the report can be a proof. There can come a time that even the mighty can be put on trial, so we can say with some conviction that: no man is above the law. The argument that these kind of trials are political is twisted because it is the politics that have let mass murderers go free from conviction. When the politics no longer can save criminals, it is politics to, but another aspect of it. I hope fore more steps in this direction that let the International criminal court investigate also powers like US, China, and so on. It would make the crimes less convenient and give the people with lesser power more hope for a just world. By support of the International justice you support a more moral and safer world.

before the ICC. They have much to answer for. I suggest a Nuremberg style trial. Try them as a team---of common criminals and war mongerers. Too bad we cannot get the people who support them---they should get the same end. Be absolutely sure they make it to the gallows---alive. Yeah that,s right PSM---you too.

So now, having shown how little he knows about "International law", this man who was able to overlook events like the Sbarro bombing, the Park hotel massacre, thousands of rockets and mortars for years, believes that it was Israel's largely successful efforts to put an end to those activities that has impeded peace in the ME. What a sad, sick joke he is.

Unfortunately these international rules about war crimes do not apply to a situation where one side has fighters in civilian clothes. Coupled to the fact that the UN Human Rights Council does nothing but bash Israel, makes the whole thing an immoral farse. Look at the situation in Afghanistan - lots of terrorists in civilian clothes, and lots of innocent civilinas, get killed. And the UN HRC doesn't make a fuss.

interfere in speaking the TRUTH. A crime is a crime is A CRIME!!!

Iran

asked to bring forth the "evidence" for the "guilt" of Israel. This is hardly the kind of "investigation" the free and democratic world can accept. P.S. Why after eight years of Israeli citizens having been targeted daily by rockets and mortars fired from within the Arab civilian population centers of Gaza the UN "Human Rights Council" has not found it appropriate to investigate such actions, but it did so and even found Israel guilty before the investigation took place once Israel opted to react in defense of its sovereignty and civilian population? Was that also not politically motivated?

Which part of "the report admitts(page9)"does not pretend to reach the standard of proof applicable in criminal trials"do you need explained to you? Do you prefer judges who announce their prejudices PRIOR to investigition?

The extension of international law around the world is one of the most important life-saving jobs of our lifetime. Like domestic law, it's ultimately the only way to ensure a just and peaceful life for people. Nobody within countries would want a life without law. A world without law has been a dark and terrible place. I will NEVER forgive Blair and Bush for the temporary damage they did to it, by their cowboy invasion of Iraq. However, that didn't exactly turn out well, and the results once again emphasised that law is the answer. Goldstone is admirably trying to extend law to one of the longest and bitterest conflicts around the world. Only the guilty powerful have anything to fear. And if the guilty powerful feel angry and afraid, then good. The judge is doing his job.

america is more vulnerable then israel on these charges.they will veto the findings out of self-interest.go home goldstone.

Finally some one spoke of the truth. It is time to prosecute all and every individual who were responsible on killing innecent civilians. Otherwise, the credibilty of the whole world is at stake..Then the UN name should be changed to JUNGLE NATIONS !

Goldstone and his team are so naive, ill-informed and ignorant of the truth on the ground. Yes everyone killed were civilians, but civilians holding guns. Are these still civilians??

Now then lets all cry anti semitism , which is the usual response from the Israeli goverment to anyone opposes their right wing fanatical religious policies.

they should also pay for the reconstruction of Gaza just as they charge the PA for damage from rockets, about a couple of millions dollars a family sounds about right

His mandate by human rights abusers was described by Mary Robinson as"guided not by human rights but by politics?. His report whitewashed Hamas use of hospitals schools playgrounds and ambulances.Secondary explosions of Mosques were ignored. The report accepts as fact anonymous testimonies collected by ultraleft groups.In fact the report admitts(page9)"does not ?pretend to reach the standard of proof applicable in criminal trials" A million Israelis under threat by thousands of missiles for years got no ire from him or his group but they suddenly discovered war crimes and human rights when Israel HIT BACK. Their self admitted prejudice a priori would disqualify them from anything except the UNHRC Discussing reparations, the Goldstone report only mentions those due from Israel. Thousands of Jewish victims of Palestinian terror are less deserving.

Goldstone where were you for 8 years whilst Hamas was throwing rockets. And whilst you were in Gaza why didn't you find Gilad Shalit Having heard two crazies like the leaders of Libya and Iran, perhaps you are just another crazy in the right place.

Many commentators have demonstrated how Goldstone's biased report is the true barrier to any peace deals. It just ensures that Israel cannot deal with UN bodies and that Palestinian groups feel they have a free ride without fear of criticism. As the Economist reported "The peace process was never going to be easy. With its thimbleful of poison, the Goldstone report has made the job all the harder".

and then we'll think the report wasn't political. The leaders of every war ever fought would be up for war crimes.

The fact that his entire mandate and report itself examines the actions of those being attacked to protect their own civliains (Israel), and completely ignores those that waged a war of attrition and set off the Israeli invasion, through which they used their own population as human shields by purposely waging their war from within their cities relegates this report to the annals of UN shame, a report that will live in infamy. Only by standing up and holding Hamas accountable can any progress in holding those responsible really begin. And Goldstone's willful ignorance and blatant arrogance will no doubt prevent this.

This judge has been condemned by US diplomats, by expert international legal scholars but seems that nothing will deter this vain man who WAS PROUD TO SERVE IN APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA. He has a nerve as no serious civil rights lawyer would have been seen dead in accepting such a position.

no mandate, makes his "investigation" political. He was asked to find the evidence for which in advance Israel was found "guilty", and he produced the evidence. He was not asked to deal with the political question of an accommodation of peaceful coexistence. Goldstone, in other words, proves to the world how political the whole matter is and how politically he is involved in it.

I thought it was Saddam, and then Arafat who were impeding Mideast peace! Does that -in any way- suggest that if the "War crimes impunity" were out of the way, we would have any (any) chance for peace?