Israel debates response to Gaza report

Support is growing within Israel for the launch of an independent inquiry into alleged war crimes committed during its offensive in Gaza last winter.

Last week the UN Human Right's Council's voted to back the controversial Goldstone report, which calls on Israel and Hamas to mount credible investigations within six months.

Deputy Prime Minister and Intelligence Minister Dan Meridor added his voice on Wednesday to calls by the attorney general, and what officials say is pressure from the justice and foreign ministries, to establish a commission of inquiry.

This does not mean such figures depart from the widespread view in Israel that the report was a flawed, biased, politically motivated attempt to discredit it - a "kangaroo court", as Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu put it.

Rather, it should be seen as some members of the Israeli government now considering their next defensive steps, after the failure of an intensive diplomatic campaign to stop the HRC even voting on the Goldstone report.

Gaza child stands in front of his family home that was destroyed during Israel's campaign

UN condemns 'war crimes' in Gaza
Israel condemns UN's Gaza report
Full UN report on Gaza war

International jurist Richard Goldstone's report recommends that if Israel and Hamas do not conduct credible investigations of their own within six months, the issue should be referred to the UN Security Council, which has the power to open a war crimes prosecution at the International Criminal Court.

The Israeli military has opened about 100 investigations, of which about 20 are criminal, but Mr Goldstone and many human rights organisations have said it is insufficient for the military to investigate itself.

Even the US, Israel's staunch ally, which is expected to veto in the Security Council any prosecution attempt, has urged Israel to mount an independent inquiry.