Goldstone Commission Members Affirm Study Findings

Stephen Lendman

"Over 18 months after publication, no contrary facts have been determined. [We] "have yet to establish a convincing basis for any claims that contradict the findings of the mission's report."

A previous article addressed chairman Richard Goldstone's fall from grace, accessed through this link.

It discussed his shameless retraction of irrefutable evidence he and other commission members found - namely, that Israel willfully committed crimes of war and against humanity by attacking Gazan civilians and non-military targets in clear violation of international law. Moreover, it was done disproportionately to cause mass deaths, injuries and destruction.

Shockingly, however, Goldstone accepted Israel's internal investigation findings, knowing facts were suppressed and distorted to justify policies. For whatever reasons, he capitulated, selling his soul at the expense of his honor, character, dignity, and high-mindedness, erased in his April 1 Washington Post op-ed too late to retract.

Responding on April 14 in the London Guardian, Commission members Hina Jilani, Christine Chinkin and Desmond Travers headlined, "Goldstone report: Statement issued by members of UN mission on Gaza war," saying without mentioning Goldstone by name:

Recent articles and comments on the Commission's work "have misrepresented facts in an attempt to delegitimize the findings of (its) report and to cast doubts on its credibility."

The four-member Commission's report

"is now an official UN document and all actions taken pursuant to its findings and recommendations fall solely within the purview of the United Nations general assembly which, along with the human rights council, reviewed and endorsed it at the end of 2009."

"Aspersions cast on the findings (however) cannot be left unchallenged." Jilani, Chinkin and Travers dispute efforts to claim "any part of the mission's report unsubstantiated, erroneous or inaccurate."

As a result, no reevaluation will be reconsidered, nor is there any UN procedure or precedent to do so. The Commission's conclusions were

"made after diligent, independent and objective consideration of the information," carefully obtained. The Commission endorses "its reliability and credibility. We firmly stand by these conclusions."

Further, over 18 months after publication, no contrary facts have been determined. We "have yet to establish a convincing basis for any claims that contradict the findings of the mission's report."

In addition, the UN Human Rights Council

"appointed a committee of independent experts to monitor the independence, effectiveness and genuineness of any domestic proceedings carried out to investigate crimes and violations of international law discovered."

Observers claiming that follow-up committee members Judge Mary McGowan Davis and Judge Lennart Aspergren contradicted the Commission's conclusions

"are completely misplaced, and a clear distortion of their findings."

Moreover, the committee said there was

"no indication that Israel has opened (legitimate, independent) investigations into the actions of those who designed, planned, ordered and oversaw Operation Cast Lead."

In other words,

"one of the most serious allegations about the conduct of Israel's military operations remains completely unaddressed."

The Commission dismisses

"calls to reconsider or even retract the report, as well as attempts (to misrepresent) its nature and purpose, (saying they) disregard the right of victims....to truth and justice. They also ignore the responsibility of the relevant parties under international law to conduct prompt, thorough, effective and independent investigations."

Commission members resent pressure exerted to undermine their credibility and integrity. To give in "would be doing a serious injustice to the hundreds of innocent civilians killed during the Gaza conflict, the thousands injured, and the hundreds of thousands whose lives continue to be deeply affected by the conflict and the blockade."

The process the report initiated will continue

"until justice is done and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law by everyone is ensured."

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Hila Jilani is a Pakistani human rights lawyer. Christine Chinkin is London School of Economics Professor of International Law, and Desmond Travers is a former Irish peacekeeper, knowledgeable about international law.
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Stephen Lendman: I was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. Raised in a modest middle class family, attended public schools, received a BA from Harvard University in 1956 and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of PA in 1960 following 2 years of obligatory military service in the US Army. Spent the next 6 years as a marketing research analyst for several large US corporations before becoming part of a new small family business in 1967, remaining there until retiring at the end of 1999. Have since devoted my time and efforts to the progressive causes and organizations I support, all involved in working for a more humane and just world for all people everywhere, but especially for the most needy, disadvantaged and oppressed. My efforts since summer 2005 have included writing on a broad range of vital topics ranging from war and peace; social, economic and political equity for all; and justice for all the oppressed peoples of the world like the long-suffering people of Haiti and the Palestinians. Also co-hosting The Global Research News Hour, occasional public talks, and frequent appearances on radio and at times television.

Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Lendman News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday - Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national issues. All programs are archived for easy listening.
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URL: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2011/04/14/goldstone-commission-members-affirm-stud