Israel Wins Lopsided Repudiation of World Acclaimed Judge (and Jew)

By Robert Weller

It’s not likely that a lopsided U.S. House of Representatives vote repudiating his findings on violent acts committed in Gaza by Israel will send Justice Richard Goldstone running for cover.

This life-time supporter of Israel, himself an observant Jew, faced personal danger as an anti-apartheid judge in South Africa.

In 1992 he raided military intelligence to get files he needed to investigate a massacre of blacks by a black party that often sided with the white government.

He chaired the commission in South Africa which investigated apartheid atrocities of security agencies.

From Aug. 15, 1994 to Sept. 1, 1996 he presided as the chief prosecution of the U.N. International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

This year he agreed to lead an investigation of Israeli actions in Gaza, but only after the mandate was broadened to include actions by all parties, not just Israel. Hamas did fire rockets into populated Israeli areas, causing deaths.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning Goldstone’s report 344-36.

Goldstone’s report is more than 500 pages, and includes numerous detailed accounts of alleged violations of international law. It alleges white phosphorus, willie pete, was repeatedly used. Those unfortunate enough to having seen its results have called them “crispy critters.”

The Israeli Defense Force has admitted 1,004 Palestianians died in the invasion, but insists 704 were combatants.

Others give much higher figures. Amnesty says 1,400 Palestinians were killed in the 22-day Israeli offensive between Dec. 27, 2008, and Jan. 17, 2009. It says 900 were civilians, including 300 children.