Britannia Radio

U.N. body sends Goldstone report to Security Council

October 16, 2009

(JTA) -- The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva sent the Goldstone report to the U.N. Security Council, while Richard Goldstone condemned the council for ignoring his findings on Hamas war crimes.

The Human Rights Council voted 25 to 6 on Thursday to endorse the report and recommend that other U.N. bodies heed its recommendations.

The report recommends that Israel and authorities in the Gaza Strip prosecute fighters for alleged war crimes committed during last winter's Gaza war and, should that not happen within six months, for the U.N. Security Council pursue such prosecutions. The Human Rights Council resolution cites only Israel.

Goldstone, who agreed to lead the fact-finding mission only if he could investigate Hamas as well, said he was "saddened"  by the resolution. "There is not a single phrase condemning Hamas as we have done in the report," Goldstone was quoted as saying by AFP, the French press agency. 

Among those voting against were the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia and Ukraine. Those voting to recommend it included Russia, China, Argentina and Egypt. Israel rejectes the report, saying its original mandate predetermined bias.

The resolution passed 25-6, with mostly developing countries in favor and the United States and five European countries opposing. Eleven mostly European and African countries abstained, while Britain,France and three other members of the 47-nation body declined to vote.

Israel and the U.S. called the Goldstone report "flawed," and warned that the vote could jeopardizeMiddle East peace prospects.

Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, also said endorsing the report could have far-reaching consequences.

"Whoever votes in favor of endorsing the report must understand that next time it will be the soldiers and officers of NATO in Afghanistan, and then Russian soldiers and officers in Chechnya," Lieberman said late Thursday.

U.S. diplomat Douglas M. Griffiths told the council Washington was disappointed with the outcome of the vote. The United States had wanted the report to stay in Geneva, and is likely to veto any action in the 15-member Security Council.