The main author of the Goldstone Report, the controversial United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict report that accused both Palestinian militants and Israeli forces of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead, has amended some of his findings. In a recent op-ed in the Washington Post, Richard Goldstone offered new information and insights into his original 2009 report, which accused Israel of using disproportionate force, deliberately targeting civilians, and using people as human shields:
Our report found evidence of potential war crimes and “possibly crimes against humanity” by both Israel and Hamas. That the crimes allegedly committed by Hamas were intentional goes without saying — its rockets were purposefully and indiscriminately aimed at civilian targets.
The allegations of intentionality by Israel were based on the deaths of and injuries to civilians in situations where our fact-finding mission had no evidence on which to draw any other reasonable conclusion. While the investigations published by the Israeli military and recognized in the U.N. committee’s report have established the validity of some incidents that we investigated in cases involving individual soldiers, they also indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy.
In the op-ed, Goldstone seems intent on shifting the blame for the report’s errors from the authors and onto Israel (for instance, he repeatedly cites “Israel’s lack of cooperation with our investigation” as one of the sources of the misinformation in the report). But while Goldstone’s piece could have been stronger overall, a public reversal like this is significant, and should – hopefully – take at least one weapon from the arsenal of Israel’s critics.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have launched an international campaign to push the U.N. to repeal the original report.
What do you think?
4:09 am
Its not sufficient that Goldstone retracts in a newspaper report. The damage has been done. He needs to go on International TV and apologize for his deeds, so much propoganda was used against Israel and now a small retraction is not sufficient. God Bless Israel and may the truth see the light
3:40 pm
the news media and other investigators are most times bias and in favor of the Israel”s
enemies.
3:30 pm
every tongue that rise up against Israel will be condemned,because YHVH never sleeps.
2:12 pm
Jerusalem is not Jerusalem without ‘usa’ in it; eg.JerUSAlem. We must always stand with Israel or we go DOWN with the rest of ‘them’!
9:20 pm
The U.N. =United Nothing. Good always conquors evil. Amen Stand Still & See The SALVATION Of Almighty God. The last enemys of Israel were made Fish Food in the Red Sea, or have you forgotten history? I guess they’ll be made fish food of the Medteranian ! Ha.
8:56 pm
I am a Jew and I am heartened by the support you all are giving Israel.The UN in my estimation should be abolished because if it’s anti-Israel bias pereiod.Goldstone should be censored and the report done away with. The recent attacks on Israel are abominable. We will stand forever!! The LORD our G-d is the strength of our life. G-d bless all of you supporters of Israel may G-d grant you his special care over your lived-G-d Bless Israel forever.
4:12 am
Amen. The truth shall prevail
11:05 am
and i will bless those that bless thee
10:13 am
what a wonderful plan of GOD..the fullness of time has come to take the gospel of Jesus Christ back to the JEWS..GOD has lifted the blindness from many of the Jewsish peoples eyes..can we now see the complete circle of the plan..a wedding ring! a marriage! just one of the many signs of the last days events..many JEWS will come when Jesus snatches his church! i have waited many yrs for this blindness to be lifeted..praise be to GOD! I have no concern for Israel’s enemies. they will ALL be destroyed..not even a rememberence of them will exist…listen to Rabbi K.A Schneider a Jewish believe preach the gospel..many have prayed to hear what we hear, to see what we see! we sould rejoice for the hour is so near!
9:14 am
I stand firmly with Israel.All I can say is Maranatha
12:35 am
I sure am having a hard time spelling. i meant seen forsaken. Good night Shalom Theresa
12:31 am
I used the wrong word son, but I thought about it and there is nothing new under the son of the most high. I also spelled salamon’s name wrong. sorry. Thank you Theresa. Please pray that they don’t try to boycott Isralie products here in the Usa and pray for rain. Ask The Father to let it rain in the Gallie and the dead sea for 3 days straight , so they don’t have to ask to borrow water from the neightbors. ok/ Israel is the Head not the tail. I once was old and I have never sen the righteous for sken or their seed beg for bread. Thank you Shalom Theresa
12:23 am
I agree with all the people who are for Israel
King Salom said that there was nothing new under the son. ain’t that the truth. One thing I do know is that G-d is still on the thrown. The Bible said to pray or our enemies. I guess that means Israels too. One final thought. The Jews win . because the King of the Jews is coming to get his bride Jerusalem and reign for 1000 years. Amen to that one, God bless everyone who prays for my family. I also am Jewish. Shalom Theresa
1:26 pm
One consoling thing is that God promise to protect Israel.She will experience trials,
but will be delivered eventually.
Let’s keep praying for the peace of
Jerusalem.
Amen.
8:44 am
While living and working in Israel, I have never seen dis-appropriate behavior by any member of the Israeli military. In fact, they were very courteous and helpful in my travels all throughout Israel. To the contrary, however, discourtesy was displayed by Arabic-speaking individuals in various instances. When visiting religious shrines within Palestinian-controlled territory, we were instructed to make post-haste to leave when menacing crowds began to gather. Even upon making trips since that time, I have never witnessed brutality or discourtesy by the military! However, on one trip by college associates, the hotel lobby was bombed by a Palestinian resulting in one U.S. female acquaintance losing her eye along with shrapnel in her body.
6:40 am
Let’s try to get the original report repealed and place some prayer behind it together! Elohim bless Isra-El!
6:25 am
I always said that Isreal was clean and will be proven they did not do anything wrong. This tell us I was right to stand with Isreal. Terrorism is the evil. Isreal has been fighting terrorism for years. God loves Isreal. God bless Isreal.
6:23 am
To GOD be the glory.and its just a case of one day at a time.the curtains are coming down slowly on all those who oppose Isreal wrongfully.ISREAL WILL ALWAYS STAND in JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD NAME.
1:16 am
I STAND WITH ISRAEL,let’s do away with the
UN,whoever goes against ISRAEL shall be destroyed. PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD
OF ISRAEL.PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM.
12:16 am
As a fellow South African, it saddens me that Richard Goldstone appears to have erred in submitting a report he now wishes to alter. The damage is done however. Such an oversight,coming from an eminent legal professional, is to my mind, unacceptable.
8:25 pm
Stand firm Israel! There are many Christians in the U.S. who are standing with you and praying for you, regardless of what the U.N. or our own administration says. God bless you and keep you courageous and strong!
8:22 pm
Truth will always out. Christ was asked “What is truth?”We all know how what his answer was.
7:36 pm
I have long thought that Mr. Goldstone suffers from fatal hubris often detected in public figures. His sanctimonious indictment of Israel, and his naivite when it comes to the world of the UN and the duplicity of the Arab world just speaks to his personality issues. If this sounds like an attack on his person, it is.
7:06 pm
The U.N. is evil and should be abolished. God Bless Israel!
5:58 pm
PLEASE NEVER DWEAL WITH THE DEVIL THE U.N. WE HAVE TO MANY PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO BELEAVE ALL THE LIES ABOUT ISRAELSO UNTIL WE GET A PERSIDENT WHO DOES NOT BOW DOWN TO A MUSLM INGORE WHAT THEY SAY THEY ARE FULL OF HOT AIR
5:01 pm
Goldstone is a complete idiot and guilty of vicious slander.
The report must be repealed.
3:42 pm
Would that Israel’s enemies paid as much attention to this reconsideration as they did to the original report.
2:56 pm
Why don’t we abolish the UN, declare sovereignty in the USA and stand firmly behind Israel? G-d Bless Israel!
9:21 pm
We send a check for an orphanage and a check for food for the elderly. This is so little. If ever Christian would give we could really help. We intend to increse our giving.
2:38 pm
Lets get behind Israel, and push the U.N. to repeal the original report ASAP!
7:22 pm
I am one hundred percent for Israel. I pray for Israel and all the people and all their children,May our Lord Jesus always bless them.
2:42 am
Goldstone is a loathsome character who even in admitting he had erred, still blames Israel for “lack of communications with a UN lackey”. Australians have a great deal of respect for Israel, its Leaders and its People. Shalom
3:24 pm
My thoughts are for Isreal to adhered to the Word of God in Matthew 6:33 also in Isaiah 54:17.(But seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you). Let Isreal seek their Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ, and (No weapon formed against them Shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against them in judgement shall be condemn. This is the heritage of the servant of the Lord and their righteousness is of me. Saith the Lord). Amen!