After two days of misrepresentations in the press, and after a conversation between the judge and Minister of Interior Eli Yishai that was grossly misunderstood by the latter, Judge Goldstone had to break the silence that he had decreed on himself since the publication of his Washington Post Op-Ed and speak with an Associated Press reporter
"As appears from the Washington Post article, information subsequent to publication of the report did meet with the view that one correction should be made with regard to intentionality on the part of Israel," the judge said. "Further information as a result of domestic investigations could lead to further reconsideration, but as presently advised I have no reason to believe any part of the report needs to be reconsidered at this time."
To sum up how things stand now:
Judge Goldstone stands behind a report that found Israel guilty of war crimes. After two years he appears not to have changed his mind on that charge.
Judge Goldstone stands behind a report that found Israel guilty of intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure. After two years he appear not to have changed his mind on that charge.
Judge Goldstone stands behind a report that called upon Israel to launch a public judicial inquiry. Two years later he still makes that call.
Judge Goldstone is less inclined to believe, based on IDF investigations, that Israel was guilty of the crime against humanity of intentionally targeting civilians as a matter of policy, based on the evidence presented in the report. He is willing to consider the alternatives that faulty intelligence plus bad judgment was responsible for the al-Samouni family bombing, and that this deliberate attack may indeed be a war crime, should the commanding officer be found to have been negligent.
Judge Goldstone has not expressed regret, apology, nor has he recanted the report. On the contrary he has "no reason to believe that any part of the report need be reconsidered at this time."
He wrote an op-ed with a conciliatory tone. He now has an invitation to visit Israel. Let's hope he comes.
(h/t to Muhammad Idrees Ahmad)
4 comments:
It was interesting to watch his former supporters use the same sick arguments that before were used by his opponents.
Thanks, Jerry. Is he only follwing up his inquiry? This is the most obvious explanation that has been in front of our eyes all the time. Israel wasn't cooperating.
Well said, Jerry. Thanks!
Many many thanks for all your blogging on the report and on Goldstone himself. This latest point shows you read him very well, and you were correct to stand by what he said in the op-ed. Correct as well to focus again on the damage to civilian infrastructure etc. Concilliation on deliberate targeting of civilians does not invalidate the other charges in the report.
Have you noticed this? From the comment section of the Forward article ["Jehuda BenIsrael"]:
Goldstone to face libel suit
Knesset Member Danny Danon (Likud), currently in the United States, has enlisted the help of a number of Jewish-American attorneys who agreed to file a lawsuit against the South African judge at no charge.
A petition will be filed with a New York District Court next week, in which the plaintiffs will demand a formal apology and a symbolic financial compensation for the State of Israel. A second lawsuit may be filed in an Israeli court if Goldstone arrives in Israel.
Not enough, the hawkish mindset wants revenge.
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