Friday
Feb052010
Secretary General Says Gaza War Crimes Investigations Still Incomplete
Friday, February 5, 2010 at 4:53PM
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon believes it is too early to say if Israel and the Palestinian Authority have properly investigated allegations of war crime during the Israeli Cast Lead operation in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009.
Last November, a General Assembly resolution called on both parties to investigate, after the Goldstone report into the Gaza fighting suggested war crimes might have occurred on both sides and called for credible investigations by all parties involved.
In his report to the Assembly, Ban included documents form Israeli and Palestinian investigations and said he hoped “the resolution has served to encourage investigation by the government of Israel and the Palestinian side that are credible and in conformity with international standards."
However he concluded that: “the processes initiated are still ongoing…As such, no determination can be made on the implementation of the resolution by the parties concerned”
Human rights group Amnesty International criticized Ban for missing an opportunity to advance accountability in Gaza, arguing that the responses the Secretary General received clearly demonstrated that neither side had conducted investigations “that are independent, credible and in conformity with international standards”
The Secretary General’s spokesperson was unable to say if or when conclusive reports on the matter would be completed, stating that any further action was dependent on the General Assembly and member states.
Last November, a General Assembly resolution called on both parties to investigate, after the Goldstone report into the Gaza fighting suggested war crimes might have occurred on both sides and called for credible investigations by all parties involved.
In his report to the Assembly, Ban included documents form Israeli and Palestinian investigations and said he hoped “the resolution has served to encourage investigation by the government of Israel and the Palestinian side that are credible and in conformity with international standards."
However he concluded that: “the processes initiated are still ongoing…As such, no determination can be made on the implementation of the resolution by the parties concerned”
Human rights group Amnesty International criticized Ban for missing an opportunity to advance accountability in Gaza, arguing that the responses the Secretary General received clearly demonstrated that neither side had conducted investigations “that are independent, credible and in conformity with international standards”
The Secretary General’s spokesperson was unable to say if or when conclusive reports on the matter would be completed, stating that any further action was dependent on the General Assembly and member states.
Netanyhu Spokesman Defends Israel's Military Actions
Mark Regev, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau, defended the Israeli military's recent actions, explaining that "the naval blockade on Gaza ... is a matter of life and death for Israel."
"As a country, we cannot allow unregulated naval access to the Gaza Strip," Regev said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday. Regev added that the blockade is an important component in preventing the delivery of rockets and other weapons that could then be used against Israel.
The spokesperson explained that Israel’s policy regarding supplies entering the Gaza strip is that once they are inspected by Israeli forces and are deemed acceptable, they are free to enter the area.
"On average, every week some 15,000 tons of aid reach the Gaza Strip and as far as I know there is no shortage of food, nor of medicines or any vital humanitarian supplies,” Regev said.
In regards to the incident, in which at least nine people were killed and dozens wounded after Israeli military forces boarded a humanitarian flotilla Monday, Regev repeated claims that the soldiers were provoked.
“When there finally was the intervention on the high seas, they chose the path of violence. It wasn’t our side that initiated the violence, it clearly came from those on the boats,” Regev stated.
Regev said that despite the conflict, Israel will continue the peace talks with the Palestinians.
“We seek peace and reconciliation with our Palestinian neighbors, I think containing the threat that Hamas poses can be an important element in moving forward."