'U.S. To Stand By Israel In The Fight Against Goldstone Report'

[Purveyor]

President Peres on Wednesday harshly condemned the Goldstone report and told the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, Susan Rice that, "It is outrageous that a respected institution like the United Nations provides a platform to spread lies and stories about Israel."

The Goldstone report accuses Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militants of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during their Dec. 27-Jan. 18 conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The report also calls on the UN Security Council to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, which could prosecute Israeli officials for war crimes.

"The United Nations provides a stage for Ahmmadinejad, who threatens to annihilate Israel, and lets him stand judge," continued Peres. "This is nothing short of ridiculous."

Rice promised that the United States will continue to stand by Israel as a loyal friend in the fight against the Goldstone report.

MORE...

HAARETZ: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1122612.html

[clear eye]

1. Would the Palestinian militants also have to stand trial? n/t

[Barack_America]

2. By "Palestinian militant" do you mean the dead men, women or children?

Israel's definition of "militant" seems to encompass all of them.

[clear eye]

13. Of course I did. Yeah, right.

And that's what the UN resolution meant when they included the term, too. :sarcasm:

[Howardx]

3. what specific lies is peres talking about?

lets get it out there. just what in the report is a lie?

[Barack_America]

4. Actually, I think it's Rice's responsibility to elaborate on that.

Considering she's the one representing our country's position.

I'm as curious as you are.

[pennylane100]

6. I totally agree.

If the report is inaccurate that should be discussed before people start taking sides and defaming the messenger.

[VMI Dem]

5. I stand with Israel along with our President.

[theoldman]

8. So you agree that the settlements should be dismantled?

[VMI Dem]

9. I stand with our President on that as well.

You and I are in agreement on both points. Cheers!

[HamdenRice]

7. It's sad they've decided to villify Goldstone, one of the world's greatest living jurists

His background and reputation for impartiality are impeccable, and he is a hero of the South African democratic transition, and the prosecution of war crimes in Rwanda and the Balkans.

It's sad that any state party has decided to ignore his report, or worse assault his reputation and credibility.

A better approach for Israel might have been to try to justify what they did, but going after this particular messenger is borderline insane.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

10. Goldstone rejects Israel protests

Goldstone rejects Israel protests
BBC News

October 20, 2009

UN human rights investigator Richard Goldstone has rejected Israel's claim that the peace process would be harmed by his report on the offensive in Gaza. Judge Goldstone said there was no peace process at present and Israel's foreign minister did not want there to be one.

The Goldstone report, which has been endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council, accuses both Israel and Hamas militants of committing war crimes.

Mr Goldstone's remarks came in a conference call with American rabbis.

"It's a shallow, utterly false allegation," Mr Goldstone said of Israel's attempt to brand his report as an obstacle to peace.

"What peace process are they talking about? There isn't one. The Israeli foreign minister doesn't want one," Mr Goldstone said.

...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8316770.stm

[Better Today]

11. This should be an OP of its own, so I can recommend it.

[sabrina 1]

12. I agree. This is what they do every time they are called

on their war crimes. Bush supporting the vilification of anyone who charging war crimes was not a surprise, but it is sad if this administration goes down that same path. Obama is now aligning himself with those who, in the Bush administration, are guilty of war crimes by not condemning all such crimes no matter who is the guilty party.

[clear eye]

16. See this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x290833

Especially this further clarification: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=290833&mesg_id=290841

The situation is not as clear as you make out. There seems to have been something lost in the translation of Goldstone's actual findings, the report that went out under his name, and the UN resolution. Nobody wins when the responsibility is assigned to only one group of perpetrators. No good purpose is served by saying, "But they are more responsible."

When our desire to save lives by getting peace outweighs our need for vengeance, then will we begin to act constructively.

[damntexdem]

14. Well, after all, the U.S. has always stood by Israel in the fight against human rights.

And has since doubled down in refusing to prosecute war crimes.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. War crimes?? What war crimes?? We don't commit war crimes! They commit war crimes!

Our soldiers only fight for liberty, justice, and equality. Their soldiers kill babies for tyranny, hatred, and profit.


“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy.” - Gandhi