Wednesday
Feb032010
Israel Blames Military For Shelling Of UN Compound
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 1:51PM
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon is expected to address the General Assembly on Friday after he spent months garnering findings from Palestinian and Israeli government officials into crimes committed against civilians in Gaza from December 2008-January 2009.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in November 2009 giving Israel and the Palestinians three months to undertake “independent, credible investigations” into serious violations of human rights law committed during the conflict in Gaza. More than 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 900 civilians, were killed, along with 13 Israelis.
The Israeli military said Monday it would discipline two high-ranking officers for allowing artillery and the use of white phosphorous to be fired on a UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) compound that was housing UN employees and civilians seeking shelter. This is the first admission of aggressive action by the Israeli government since the attacks.
A United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict led by South African Zionist and Jurist Richard Goldstone, highly condemned Israel for massive wide-spread abuses committed on innocent Palestinian civilians. The report, also known as the "Goldstone Report" also held Hamas accountable for crimes. Many skeptics say Israel's initial denial of committing crimes went largely ignored by the Security Council, and its most powerful permanent representative, the United States, refused to acknowledge any deliberate wrongdoing on Israel's part.
The actions taken by Israel this week may underscore the government's need to bury this story, and to also clear interest from the General Assembly membership to push for war crimes proceedings.
Permanent observers for Palestine have repeatedly stated “International law is on our side,” and continue to press for full accountability.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in November 2009 giving Israel and the Palestinians three months to undertake “independent, credible investigations” into serious violations of human rights law committed during the conflict in Gaza. More than 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 900 civilians, were killed, along with 13 Israelis.
The Israeli military said Monday it would discipline two high-ranking officers for allowing artillery and the use of white phosphorous to be fired on a UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) compound that was housing UN employees and civilians seeking shelter. This is the first admission of aggressive action by the Israeli government since the attacks.
A United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict led by South African Zionist and Jurist Richard Goldstone, highly condemned Israel for massive wide-spread abuses committed on innocent Palestinian civilians. The report, also known as the "Goldstone Report" also held Hamas accountable for crimes. Many skeptics say Israel's initial denial of committing crimes went largely ignored by the Security Council, and its most powerful permanent representative, the United States, refused to acknowledge any deliberate wrongdoing on Israel's part.
The actions taken by Israel this week may underscore the government's need to bury this story, and to also clear interest from the General Assembly membership to push for war crimes proceedings.
Permanent observers for Palestine have repeatedly stated “International law is on our side,” and continue to press for full accountability.
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