Disgrace in The Hague

Uh someone forgot that cities like sedrot are attacked for years? There's a name on every bullet, and there's someone responsible for every crime... Gideon forgot the names on all these Hamas rockets.

The operation Cast Lead was what it was. We all saw the situation and the big destruction. The images and news saw on TV in israel were strong enough, and I asked myself it this was possible on a civilian population ? However it is also known that Israel has refused on the spot that Goldstone proceeds with Israeli acceptance and cooperation No, the overall view in Israel and the government approach is that our army is the most moral in the world therefore Obama also should stand for trial we also concluded... and who else has to stand for trial? Of course each and every country fighting against terror... the fact that civilians were in big numbers killed and the disparate and disproportionate military response killing children and women was minimized Israel should investigate what happened and punish those who committed crimes of war even though this would be a big glow to the psychology of war in our country

Thank you,Levy, the moral conscience of Israel!!!great article.

I just wonder: would judge Richard Goldstone's commission gather 8 years ago when the bombardments of Israeli cities just started - maybe there would not be any Cast Lead operation at all?

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF), in control of Beirut, surrounded Beirut's Palestinian refugee camps, then allowed Lebanese Phalangist militiamen to enter two of these refugee camps, Sabra and Shatila. The exact number killed by the Phalangists is disputed, with estimates ranging from 328 to 3,500.[2]

As a non-Jewish American, it seems obvious that war crimes were commited here by Israel. The level of force used by Israel and the civilian targeting of this force were totally outside civilized norms. I certainly can't support American military assistance to Israel if it is going to be used in this way. I will be voting to end such assistance.

To whatever extent Israel is still dependent on American assistance, Israeli must understand that the revulsion of Americans to the Bush administration was its thoughtless disregard for the principles of the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the equanimity of equality. Israel still acts like Bush is president of the US. If it turns out that Israel followed the doctrine of Bush for conquest over all other laws, compacts, and agreements now matter how many Jews constitute the US Democratic party, the same kind of unequivocable support for Israel is most likely to vanish. Already there is a movement among the Left to cast Israel as the villian. Nothing could be more detrmental to American support of Israel than the pursuit of a "greater Israel" over some kind of two-state solution. As a strong friend of Israel, I am deeply concerned that you have turned a corner away from the path of righteousness, and are determined to follow religious extremists to your extinction.

As a non Israeli, non Arab interested party, I have to say the question that most often enters my mind when reading an article like this & the following comments is: Do Israeli's who consistently defend the occupation and subjugation of the Palestinian people never wonder WHY the rest of the world seems to be on a mission to undermine their recently created country? Is the whole world, so recently sympathetic with the Jewish people, now unaccountably anti-semitic? After WW2 the worlds citizens were horrified at what had been done to Jews in Germany and it seemed essential that finally in 1947 a Jewish State was created. How did the whole world, once so supportive, so quickly become so critical of Israel. What amazes me is not that Gideon Levy wrote this article, it's that even now so many Zionists are still able to convince themselves that the problem isn't them - it's EVERYONE else.

Where is the commission to find fault in Russia invading other countries and torturing innocents. Brutalizing people, ignoring civil rights and imposing terror on citizens. Where is the Hague? Where is the Hague looking at Iranian leaders brutally supressing the right of people and shooting down innocents in the streets. Where is the Hague when Arab women who are married at age 12 and sold into slavery for money. Sorry to be blunt. But screw the Hague. They have no moral or legal standing. Disgrace is you can't see the full truth. Shame on you!

Even before Cast Lead, it was hard to believe that the Qassams were making as much misery for Israelis as contemporaneous IDF attacks were for Gazans -- frankly it reminded me of shooting fish in a barrel. The casualty count on the Gaza side has been a multiple of that on the Israeli side for many years now. After the misery the Pals have been put through for the last many decades, it's no surprise that there's a percentage that take resort to Qassams or suicide bombs or whatever else they can get their hands on -- even slingshots.

I would challenge anyone writing in support of Israel's right to commit war crimes and who write in condemnation of this article to move with their families to live among the Palestinians for a year. Try living a life of daily hardship and humiliation in the world's largest open air prison and see if you don't sympathize with Palestinian resistance to Israeli oppression just a tiny bit more.

harry since the rocket attacks began in 2002 until end 2008 13 Israelis got killed by them, Cast Lead killed 100 Palestinians for every 1 Israeli killed. And you want to put them on a balanced report, go try.

Steve, I guess you Australians don't know much about history. Who stole land, who murdered 6 million Jews? It is probably people like you. Don't worry. Israel will survive.

Thank you, Haaretz. And Mr Levy, Israel needs more people like you to really survive. Shana Tova!

JiGA: "If someone takes a swing at me I`m going to swing back, not turn the other cheek." Goldstone did not suggest that anyone turn the other cheek, Jim i.e. he was perfectly willing to accept that you have to defend yourself when someone take a swing at you. But he did take exception to the notion that if someone takes a swing at you then you have the right to turn around and blast the guy to smithereens, then blow up his house killing all the memebers of his family, then rampage through the ruins looking to see if you can shoot their pets. He rather thinks that's excessive.

So Israelis should just wear raincoats to protect themselves from Palestinian rocket attacks? If someone takes a swing at me I'm going to swing back, not turn the other cheek.

I also think you Israelis should stop counting the disparity of killed in your "Operation Cast Lead" as 100:1. Lets be honest here, half YOUR 14 casualties, were from your own fire. The disparity in dead was 200:1. I think Gideon Levy would do well to take note of his own inherant bias even given his relative honesty. It was also not a response to rockets from Hamas. Your own foreign affairs web site stated clearly even during cast Lead that Hamas had observed the ceasefire. Actually it was Israel who never did, and who definately broke it on November 4th with an attack which killed 5 Palestinians.

Well obviously you can hardly go doing anything about your war criminals Israel. That would leave you with no military at all to speak of. Of course you do realise, that under the unusual circumstances of your nation's history, your actions to date have virtually gurateed you will NEVER be allowed to exist in peace? Karma will not allow such a nation to continue. Based on lies, a stolen history and stolen land, no nation can survive, least of all with ZERO good will in the world. Americans are not going to love you much longer, as they realise what your kind have done to their nation. The Chinese are not dummies, they won't take over Israel's bills, once the USA is sucked dry, I think you're on your own.

On the same page on the right you have little Eli, who received a bone marrow transplant. To me little Eli is just a little kid, not Jewish, just a little kid, why and how then does a little kid by age 20 there in Israel happily explode the head of another kid with a 5.56mm bullet ? What will you have done to him to make him go into raptures anytime he does this ?

For someone to be decent he/she needs to be human and you are. The criminals must be brought to justice no matter who they are including the ones resposible for the many crimes and masacres committed against the Palestinians since before Deir Yasin, Kibia and many many others, and against our own people who had to pay in blood during the Yom Kipur War. Simply steeling homes and land from others does not work even if God allows that. Such claims are no more acceptable by the free world even when perpertrated by us "the survivors"!! Kindly accept my respect and happy Rosh Hashana.

...as it should every Israel and people who REALLY care about Israel. As opposed to those run-of-the-mill wingnuts here that claim to be pro-Israel but their words are the most anti-Israel vile nonsense imaginable.

I am wading through the report. So far (1/3): 1. It is writen in a tone that is virulently anti 1 side (Israel) which makes this a mockery of the concept of justice. 2. It nonsensically defends all actions by Hamas (ignores shields, mosques, hospitals, zoos etc). Did u know booby-trapped houses are not dangerous to civilians? 3. If it would have addressed Hamas to the depth it addressed Israel, then maybe the world would be a better place for it, after all. If Richard Goldstone wanted to defend Israel against this outrage - he would have resigned before it's release (for the basic reasons stated above) and exposed this report for the travesty that it is, including it's sponsors. Instead he chose to endorse it?? Maybe he or his daughter could explain why?? as since the fall of Nazi Germany and the creation of the state of Israel Jews can look after themselves and not rely on this kind of behaviour from people like Godlstone.

Arguing like a petulant child does not help Israel, nor does it help your credibility. It does point up how that neither you, nor any of the other posters here, nor the GOI, none of you have managed a cogent articles against the very real facts in the Goldstone Report. That's understandable because there is no defending the indefensible, and it would be very difficult if not impossible to fault Goldstone's findings. Even the US State Department, in it's very late "response," has hedged its bets in diplospeak; I would not bet on that providing Israel much cover and more than the dries from Israeli "supporters" who wish they could be more like Darfur.

It's like comparing a superficial wound to a deep and mortal wound. There is no comparison in their impact and outcome. Dutch

Olmert, Livni, Bibi & Commanders, Bush, Cheney & Commanders , Blair, Howard & Commanders, There is no such thing I did for the State anymore. Not after Nuremburg. They all should know this. Dutch

I am sure I wouldn't be protesting in the streets like others and writing to the editors and politicians expressing my outrage over US/ Israeli policies today which have become morally and legally unacceptable. Israel is invalidating itself today with its aggression in the Palestinian territories and indeed in the Middle East region. It all must stop! Period. Dutch

You don't think the person who fired a rocket that murdered an Israeli civilian should be brought to justice either? Israel does not get it both ways. Whether a Palestinian murdered one Israeli civilian or 100 they are as much a murderer as the Israel who murdered one Palestinian or 100. Murder is murder no matter who does it and war crimes are war crimes. If Israel wants to have prosecutions of Palestinians they better prosecute their own, like the US does.

The Hamas held the peace for months before Israel's planned attack and the world knows it. Except of course the dimwits in the US. Bush, Blair and Howard must be in the Hague as well alongside the Israeli war criminals. Barring that, the Israeli's would do well to check out the case of the murder of Abeer al Janabi in Iraq - 5 life sentences for the ringleader who raped and murdered a 14 year old girl, her parents and 6 year old sister. Is Stephen Green any worse a war criminal than the IDF criminals who shoot down women and kids holding white flags? I think they are the same and thus anyone who shot down any person holding a white flag should have the same standard of trial as Stephen Green. But overall, the criminals who attacked Iraq without cause should be in the dock with Olmert, Livni and Bibi and co. After all we all know Israel started the war because Hamas said they wanted peace, the IDF report says so.

Next Gideon Levy will propose sainthood for Goldstone. Above repute, moral standing ,etc ,etc. Well the saint is flawed and damaged - he accepted a brief that was biased (yes, he got assurances - according to him - but that is not written or accepted by the council), he knew and shielded the english professor and other which have proven to be biased and pre-judged outcome; he accepted evidence which would fail in proper court proceedings and he has made far reaching statements about Israel (left leaning) Judiciary (must be something in the reports from Hamas about the Israeli High court). Other, no less, eminent Jurists have refused to take the role - for the simple reason that Justice must be seen and the tainted brief, process and persons involved - yet our Saint Goldstone who is so moral and above reproach ignores what any jurist would view serious flaws. Why have a commission where Saint Goldstone can do all on his own - his judgment is not tainted by the people biases around him.

Teach your children to build instead of celebrating their martyrdom and you may one day have a future kingdom to become prince. Learn from the errors of your previous attempts to destroy Israel, instead of crying over lost territory. You have no sympathy from me for losing a war that you initiated. Tell that to the Europeans ignorant of the history of our land. If it were not for Jewish immigrants that built Israel out of a desolate, malaria-infested wasteland, you would not have an electric grid or running water in the West Bank town you live in. Proud American immigrant returning home to build our ancient nation of Israel.

Judge Goldstone was brave enough to do the right thing, and Gideon Levy was brave enough to write of the results of his investigation, both regardless of the personal attacks to follow... As an American supporter of Israel when it is right, I do not believe in "my Country, right or wrong". I applaud those who feel the same way about their own Country, AND who work to make their Country better! Don't weaken!

Judge Goldstone's bravery is more solid evidence that just as in America, there are citizens who value the truth about Government-led crime, regardless of the results of publishing it. Perhaps he can be engaged to address the allegations of crimes committed by the Bush-Cheney Administration.

Levy chooses his subjects and customizes his articles so as to cater for an anti-israeli audience "writing what they want to read" and "saying what they want to hear". It is right to criticize Israel but what is an unfair for an accomplished journalist is never to criticize the other party. It seems to me that exist some bias in between. If Mr Levy were a non Jew I would assume that he carries in the ink of his pen a tinge of anti-semitism.

race attitude, things would fall in place between the Palestinians and Israelis" Walid. Not quite walid. Israel is fighting a master race attitude by the Arabs. If the Arab states recognize Israel you will see Israel to be very accomodating...they will even fight these crazy settlers. But as long as Hamas, Hizbullah and the others, such as Iran, continually call for the destruction of Israel, Israel will not give an inch. Why should it?

No war crimes occurred that were planed, organized or commanded by the Israeli policy makers or top commanders. In every war in history you?ll be able to find a handful of soldiers that acted inhumanly and that may have happened in Cast Lead too. However, Mr Levy, your loser attitude of blaming Israel for what happened in Gaza just because she won unveils a typical liberal thought that will surely be embraced by other Israel bashers on this site. The real culprit here is a terror group called Hamas which for years bombarded Israeli civilians with deadly rockets. This very same group was firing the rockets from the safety of populated areas which is a war crime at Israeli civilians, which is a war crime. Hamas also used civilians as a human shield which is by the way a war crime, it used ambulances as a means of transporting terrorists ? a war crime and on and on and on???? The UN used Goldstone just for the reason you mentioned ? ?you can?t say he is an anti-Smite?. Good try Mr Levi but no cigar. There are enough Jews in the world just like you, which did not get used to the idea that Jews are allowed to protect themselves, Jews that prefer the role of victims and sheep lead to the slaughter, rather than being a part of a victorious proud nation. People like you, Mr Levi are the real enemies of the ?Palestinian? people by encouraging their blood thirsty, calculated, terrorist leaders to keep doing what they are doing. Finally, I?ll ask you a question: What is your solution to terror? And please don?t give me the sob story of ?we?ll give them some land and they?ll be happy?, we already tried that a few times.

The so-called diplomatic front is being used by the Arab and Muslim states to destroy Israel, not reach peace with them. I figured that was an understood. I would be all for a diplomatic solution for peace. Sadly, this report, and the charge that created it, is 180 degrees opposite that hopeful goal.

this is a moving and eloquent article. Thanks for being a standard bearer for human decency in Israel.

This one man is responsible foe advancing the lies told to him by pals. They can't win a war, but, some dummy has carte blanch to only lies told by only liars. Screw him. Tell him to never enter Israel or he will be arrested due to liable.

A hard look in your own mirror could indeed help! There is no such a country called Palestine. Palestine is a term the Zionist invented..It's the Zionist who introduced it etc..dixit Avni Bey Abdul Had (Arab local leader) before the British Peel Commission in 1937. There is no such a thing as Palestine in history, absolutely not..Prof. Philip Hitti Arab Historian to the Anglo-Americam Committee of Inquiry (1946) etc..The original name "changers" in Palestine were the Arabs who Arabized hundreds of Hebrew place names when they replaced Jewish population after Muslim conquest and occupation etc..

"They have offered a political and diplomatic front when the direct violence of their armies, Fedayeen, and Jihadists failed." - Jacob Blues And what's wrong with a diplomatic front? After 62 years of violence that has failed to bring us either peace or quiet, maybe we should consider this option too?

The Goldstone fact finding Panel report is a bail out for Israel. It portraits the war crimes committed in Gaza as individual incidents holding individual officers responsible for them rather than a permanent policy followed by all Zionists governments since 1948. For 61 years the zionists are killing native Palestinians,deporting them,confiscating their land and commit not only war crimes but crimes against Humanity. The Gaza assault of December 2008 was just another phase in the ethnic cleansinf policy pusued by the zionists

of the moral integrity and pragmatic insight you so frequently express in your commentary. the outlook for middle-east peace and israel's security would certainly be much brighter if there were.

That ridiculous label "self-hating Jew" applied to any Jew who dares to disagree with the Israeli occupation, operation Cast Lead, settlements etc. has become a badge of honour. The moment you hear someone described like this you know (s)he is an individual with high moral standards. Thank goodness there are more and more. Whenever I get the e-mails from Jewish Voice form Peace, B'tselem, etc. I sigh with relief: eventually "self-hating Jews" will put an end to the madness of continuing this eye-for-an-eye vicious circle of violence.

"She (Niomi Goldstone) spoke, in Hebrew, of the mental anguish her father experienced and of his conviction that, had he not been there, the report would have been much worse." This was a smear job from the beginning by a sham of a Human Rights organization that has attempted to demonize and deligitamize Israel since its beginning. The mandate from the UN was clear. Just as in Jenin, when the verdict also came before any investigation, the call was Israel's guilty, just fill in the blanks as needed. When the UN and the rest of the Human Rights groups can rush as fast as they do with this slop to criticize the violence and violent rhetoric towards Israel and Jews as they do to bash it, maybe they will gain some measure of credibility. For too long, these groups have been more than willing accomplices to the war plans of the Arab and Muslim world. They have offered a political and diplomatic front when the direct violence of their armies, Fedayeen, and Jihadists failed.

"From the facts available, the Mission finds that the rocket and mortars attacks, launched by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, have caused terror in the affected communities of southern Israel and in Israel as a whole. Furthermore, it is the Mission?s view that the mortars and rockets are uncontrolled and uncontrollable, respectively. This indicates the commission of an indiscriminate attack on the civilian population of southern Israel, a war crime, and may amount to crimes against humanity."

This is in many ways similar to what happened to President Carter after his book Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid. His critics chose to go after him personally because they couldn't challenge his substantive points in the book. Now here is Israel going after Goldstone himself trying to discredit him, saying he's bias, etc. Same old story. If Israel objects to his findings than provide proof to the contrary of his substantive findings. The problem is they can't do that. It's much easier to go after the messenger in an obvious attempt to deflect from the main message at hand.

When we were fighting for our freedom and independence were we or weren't we terrorists?

Israel needs to make a choice between 1. peace and 2. keep taking palestinian lands. 1. means great prosperity beyond imagination. 2. means slivers of extra land that come at a very high price. You don't listen to the Americans. You butt heads with the EU. You make wars with your neighbors. The anti-semetic label you stick on everyone who criticizes you is quickly losing its glue. Make a choice, make the jewish extremists happy ( by giving them land and housing belonging to others) or, make the whole world happy by simply doing the right thing:Peace.

It is articles like this that restore people's faith in Israel's morality. Levy and Goldstone are true friends of Israel.

For almost a year, Israel has been trying to argue that the blood spilled in Gaza was merely water. (G.Levy) This sums up the attitude but not only in Gaza but throughout the former Palestine and not only since last December's Gaza war but since over 60 years and the start of the Zionist enterprise in Palestine. If Israelis can overcome that master race attitude, things would fall in place between the Palestinians and Israelis.

ignore the ramifications of Hamas chosing to fight from amongst their civillians without uniforms or use a hospital as a HQ etc.? Why was there no outrage when Hamas was firing from schools etc at Israeli civillians knowing they would attract return fire.? Why didnt these so called human rightists look to investigate Hamas/Fatah executing each other out of hand? You do not have to be an antisemite,just a fellow traveller will do.

Both Goldstone and Levy see only one side the Hamas side.Goldstone denies Hamas are terrorists.What about you Levy?

MK: "There are no civilians in Gaze" How so, Mark Klein? MK: "Gazans overwhelmingly voted to elect the Hamas regime, supported the rocketing of southern Israel, and actively assisted Hamas fighters." Mark, let me direct you to an interesting op-ed by an expert on int'l law: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/forumy/2009/06/hamas-gaza-war-and-accountability-under.php He mentions the "doctrine of justification", and points out that it became illegal in 1949. Read what he says, and then ask yourself if that doctrine doesn't sound hauntingly familiar to you.......

When did your village get it's name? Oh yeah that's right in the late 40's. Remember that village you claim as yours now was known as Qalunya as 400+ other Arabic named villages that changed to Hebrew names overnight in 1948. That's moral bankruptcy. With a name like Steve, obviously you aren't Israeli born. Yet even more moral bankruptcy is that you can live there, while my family that lived many of generations before you bullied your way in as migrants and removed us by force land had to live as refugees? You can deny this historical fact, but that leaves you to be a liar. It's the same way the Haganah destroyed and expelled the inhabitants of other former bordering villages such as Beit Surik, Biddu, and Saris. You want moral bankruptcy? You got it alright. Look in the mirror!

Israel's Cast Lead Operation was not war. It was an extension of Israel's occupation and endeavor to clear the land of Arab habitation.

pd: you are a good jew. be happy and enjoy shana toba

Gideon, you preach morals here, but you forgot about helpless and constantly traumatized children of Sderot and Ashkelon. So, what you personaly did to stop the rockets terrorizing Israeli children? Or they don't count? Who will defend a Jew if not for Israel? Recent history showed that you can use your fingers to count all defenders and one hand will be enough...

Gideon Levy offers a thoughtful comment. Livni and Olmert may still be right for not cooperating with Goldstone. Nevertheless it seems a disservice to dismiss this document without at least hearing what Goldstone has to report.

Gideon Levy may be the moral compass of Israel. If so please explain how one defends Israeli territory. Shall Israel retreat from the border because their presence there is why the Palestinians can bomb a civilian population. Building shelters to protect the population is akin to a war crime, since it is pointed out how few Israeli citizens were actually killed. Most nations when confronted by an enemy attacking its population answer with the amount of force it can muster. To do less is to commit national suicide. The question isn't whether Mr. Goldstone is a Zionist. The question is not is the UN agency anti-Israel. The question is how does one defend its land and its civilian population

Israel: wake up and act. Show the world you are a democracy and you will not tolerate this kind of behavior by your government. Stop the illegal settlements, give back the stolen land and peace for two nations side by side.

Can anyone explain to me what a "self hating Jew" means. Are there self hating christians or chinese or arabs? Anytime a jew is critical of the Israeli occupation of Palstines he or she is labeled self hating Jew or anti-Semite.

Goldstone is reminiscent of the Hebrew prophets of yore who stood for justice and were not afraid to chastise the people - and some were nearly killed for it ! David

Gazans overwhelmingly voted to elect the Hamas regime, supported the rocketing of southern Israel, and actively assisted Hamas fighters AND Danced in the street in Gaza gave out candies at 9 11

Instead of posting stupid baseless commenst, I advise you to read the report. I'll leave it at that!

Thank you Mr. Levy for your courageous article. I always was a friend of Israel. In June - it was a present for my 80th birthday - I visited her for the first time. Unfortunately, in the moment it is really difficult to remain a friend.

The report is available online. There was a link posted yesterday on Haaretz and even Haaretz has acknowledged that the report charges Hamas with the specific war crimes you mentioned. If you post an address, I'll email the PDF file. It's less than 7 GB. The report isn't eh hatchet job alleged. It's fair and balanced, which is why the Israeli government is nearly losing its mind with frustration.

"Deservedly, an outcast and detested country." How very true. Thank you Gideon Levy!

What Gideon Levy does not want to confront is that Israelis have known all along what happened in 'Cast Lead.' And all along, they have liked it.

Don't be ridiculous. The Israeli ambassador to Sweden clearly equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism, and Goldstone has clearly criticized Israel. Therefore, Goldstone is an antisemite. 2+2=4.

No, we can't call Goldstone an anti-Semite but we can rightfully call him a self hating Jew, which is exactly what Gideon Levy is. Levy, what planet do you live on?

Is a nation that sits in such utter moral darkness. They jeer and scorn those who hold them accountable for crimes and then have the audacity to ask why they are a victim.

It is not a heroism to critisize the democratic Jewish State of Israel writing for an Islaeli newspaper. Gideon is playing a non-loosing prophet game. His article is a pure emotional diatribe. People are not fools, Gideon. They know that there is no a "perfect", "clean" war. That is why for EIGHT YEARS government of Israel hesitated to do serious measures against arab moslem fanatics and mass murderers who dominate and terrorize Gaza. Israel did the right thing, unfortunately she waited too long.

Gazans overwhelmingly voted to elect the Hamas regime, supported the rocketing of southern Israel, and actively assisted Hamas fighters.

Censoring comments that show some objectivity in the fact that the only liberal democracy facing wars since 60 years defends against a terrorist movement randomly aiming civilians. That's a shame, moderator, and you know that. Fine, I'm boycotting Haaretz from now on.

I didn't think Haaretz had it in them to post an article like this. God bless Israel, and I hope the nation chooses to open it's eyes.

Great article, shredding the current Israeli attempts to discredit this in-depth, undeniably potent report.

Comparing Israel's assault on terrorists hiding amongst civillians with the massacre of Sabra and Shatilla is a testimony to the moral bankrupcy...of Gideon Levy. Proud IDF officer, physician and award-winning scientist.

Why was there no Goldstone Report in the many years the Pals were attacking Sderot and other parts of Israel with rockets and mortars? Where was the UN when that was going on? If the UN wants to look into matters and publish reports, it should do so fairly and honestly, and investigate all war crimes. Harry

Gideon Levy continues to be the moral conscience of an Israel that has lost its moral compass. Great article, Gideon. Keep it up!!

Goldstone was honest, forthright and provided Israel every opportunity to present their facts and observations. Israeli leadership chose to stonewall because they knew they were guilty of significant criminal violations. Israeli leadership surely resembles the Bush-Cheney inept leadership in propagating violations of the Geneva Convention on war crimes. Israel is now suffering a fallout in world support. The true nature of te occupation is becoming more apparent.

Simply, thank you!

Seems as though every country has committed war crimes. Why has there been so mcuh DISPROPORTIONATE focus on Israel? Seems to my simple understanding an example of disgusting double standards.

So far they have focused on the messengers, not their messages: the researcher for Human Rights Watch collects Nazi memorabilia, Breaking the Silence is a business and Amnesty International is anti-Semitic. All cheap propaganda.

Milosevic, I believe, would have escaped the accusations against him in the Hague because there was no evidence he approved genocide. However, one general, who gave orders for genocide, was convicted of war crimes. It may be hard to prove war crimes before the Hague; however, it does not absolve any of the parties from war crimes committed. I do believe even many Nazi criminals escaped; sad for the Jews. I do believe that we should keep up being the most moral army in the world, as well as keeping good moral character by not killing civilians, the tactics used by terrorists. Terrorists try to win the propaganda war, and any bad acts by Israel they will use in their propaganda war. That is one reason I was against Cast Lead.

Gideon, I respect your courageous criticisms, and hope you continue to stand up against the conventional wisdom. However, it is not always enough to criticize. The firing of Qassams from Gaza was an intolerable situation. Please, write an article explaining what you think Israel should have done instead of operation Cast Lead

Thank you Gideon, for your astute reflection. You are right character assassination would not work on Richard Goldstone. But still people will choose to believe what they want to believe. They will say it was the UN and forget Goldstone's part in it. But thanks to people like you and to Haaretz readers change will happen whether that is through boycott as called by Naomi Klein, Neve Gordon and others or through other civic actions. Eventually the consciousness of the community will be raised to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and present so as to make way for new possibilities of all human beings in this region regardless of background living together in peace.

I will keep posting this. I believed we were wrong to bomb Serbian civilians in the Kosovo War. Today the USA army is trying not to kill civilians in Afghanistan in its war against terrorists. Terrorism is the killing of innocent civilians: we have protested against human shields being used by the Lebanese and Palestinians and their sending rockets to kill ours. I think to keep the moral superiority, we cannot use this method in fighting terrorism and terrorists: we should avoid killing innocent civilians; they have human rights.

It is impossible not to feel than G.Levy's article is sincere, courageous and above all, truthful. On the other hand I am sure that many posters will prove once again that in Israel there is nothing impossible.