Goldstone: If I Had Known Then What I Know Now…
April 3, 2011 18:34 by Alex Margolin
Judge Richard Goldstone, head of the infamous UN panel that issued the Goldstone Report in 2009, backtracked on his most serious accusations on Friday.
The Goldstone Report had accused Israel and Hamas of “actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity” during the 2008 Gaza War.
Goldstone’s about-face includes a reversal on the contentious claim that Israel intentionally targeted Palestinian civilians.
Investigations into some 400 incidents from the war, cited by another recent UN report, “indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy,” Goldstone wrote in an op-ed published in the Washington Post:
“I regret that our fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes.”
Goldstone starkly admitted, “If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document.”
Despite the mea culpa, Goldstone repeated his excuse that his work was hindered by Israel’s refusal to cooperate with his investigation, conceding however, that the UN Human Rights Council, which sponsored his report, has a “history of bias against Israel [that] cannot be doubted.”
But according to Jerusalem Post editor David Horovitz, commenting on Goldstone’s latest revelations, Goldstone should not have been surprised by Israel’s decision not to cooperate with his mission:
To have formally subjected itself to examination by his committee and the institutionally biased UN Human Rights Council that had formed it – a bias which Goldstone now acknowledges in his article – would merely have given his work greater purported credibility.
Notwithstanding that absent formal cooperation, however, the truth about what happened in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 – the truth that Goldstone now disingenuously claims to have discovered only after he filed his malicious indictment of the IDF and of Israel – was readily available to him at the time.
Israel did informally make the necessary information available to his committee in the shape of detailed reports on what had unfolded. And open sources, honestly evaluated, left no doubt that Hamas was the provocateur, that Hamas was deliberately placing Palestinians in harm’s way, that Hamas was lying about the proportion of combatants among the Gaza dead.
Indeed, Honestreporting first reported on the fallacies and false accusations in the Goldstone Report back in September of 2009 using information that was available to the public. HonestReporting also provided a long list of resources for countering the report, all of which drew on public sources.
Along with accusations of war crimes, Goldstone’s op-ed also puts an end to the dispute over casualty figures.
While the Goldstone Report cited civilian casualty numbers obtained from Hamas, which were considerably higher than the IDF’s figures, Goldstone now admits that “the Israeli military’s numbers have turned out to be similar to those recently furnished by Hamas” (emphasis added), adding however, that Hamas may now be exaggerating the number of terrorists killed by the IDF.
Put simply, the IDF’s figures were correct all along.
But it remains to be seen if the media recognizes that the commonly quoted numbers of “1,400 dead, including mostly civilians” – cited by the Goldstone Report – are inaccurate. The caption for the following image, taken from BBC’s coverage of Goldstone’s revelations, shows that the Beeb has yet to assimilate the new information.
In an exclusive comment to HonestReporting, Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, called on the UN to take decisive action in light of Goldstone’s revelations.
Now that the core finding of the Goldstone Report has been discredited by its author, the norms of international law, ethics, and morality require Judge Goldstone to urgently request the UN Human Rights Council to convene a special session to officially repudiate the report and halt its ongoing proceedings to implement it.
An op-ed is not enough. Goldstone must officially inform all other bodies which received his false report: the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the International Criminal Court, and all the 192 UN member states which — based on his recommendations — were officially asked by the world body to open criminal prosecutions of Israeli leaders and officers.
Goldstone must also write to the Swiss government to call off their effort, based on the Goldstone Report, to convene an international conference of the Geneva Convention signatories to condemn Israel. Goldstone will never be able to undo the poisonous anti-Israel libel that he spread around the globe, but as a judge we call on him to do the bare minimum that legal ethics and common sense require.
While most of the mainstream media has covered the story, two of Goldstone’s biggest cheerleaders , The Guardian and The Independent have yet to report on the about-face. In particular, The Guardian’s over-reporting of Israel — as expressed by this map produced by British Views of the World (read more background and signficance) – behooves the paper to follow through.
Goldstone’s commentary was published on Friday, and yet as we go to press, neither paper has picked up on the story.
It is impossible to know exactly what prompted Goldstone to reverse his positions at this time. But one thing is certain: it couldn’t have happened without the many people who refused to accept the Goldstone Report’s false conclusions and continued to fight in the public arena. Everyone who spoke out against the report deserves a share in the credit for bringing the truth to the surface, however delayed.
The fight, however, is far from over. The Goldstone Report has caused great damage since its publication nearly two years ago. It is now up to the media to promote the truth about the Gaza war with the same intensity it promoted the conclusions of the Goldstone Report. And it is up to all of us to hold the media to account to ensure the truth is revealed.
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Harvey Rogers
5:26 am
Apr 21, 2011
What Goldstone can now do is to make a determined effort to have his new evaluation as widely known as possible. It won’t make up for the damage he did, but it’s the best he can now doto try to gain a place among decent human beings.
Harvey Rogers
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Sidney
8:46 am
Apr 21, 2011
To Harvey Rogers and those at large, who naively believe in Goldstone’s sense of decency. Don’t expect anything positive from this type of person. This debate is overrated and give too much emphasis on what “judge Goldstone” did and what he “knew” before his decision to make his report. So please everyone, enough of this circus. Goldstone is a corrupted individual who shed the little humanity that was running in his blod. Too bad for him! We surely have better to do than keeping ruminating this subject.
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Thomas von der Dunk is een antisemiet en de Volkskrant een Jodenhaatvod, oftewel de gotspe van de Arondéus-lezing - AmsterdamPost
1:35 pm
Apr 22, 2011
[...] Goldstone heeft inmiddels in de Washington Post op een nogal hypokriete manier toegegeven dat zijn rapport laster was: “Ik weet nu dat burgers niet met opzet en als onderdeel van beleid doelwit waren.” [...]
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Anonymous
1:07 am
Apr 26, 2011
Sidney:
You are correct, in my opinion. Judge Goldstone, as a JUDGE, should show himself Impartial, Fair, and Honourable, anything less, gives the power of evil strength to prosper and thrive. It is not the Judge’s opinions, nor private inclinations, nor even his “ideologies,” nor his careerist aspirations, nor sycophantic imbibing of anti-Jewish perspectives (though that it perverted and sick unto itself), no, it is his lack of respect, and Just consideration for the factual truth, and lack of HONESTY, that rattles and in my opinion, disgusts most individuals who understand historical fact and or are acquainted with “unrevised” historical time-lines, and Jewish History. It is simply Unacceptable for a Judge, of any background, to choose ignorant understanding and narrow viewpoints to pander to the basest of instincts – that which elevates personal vanity to a pr-eminent importance. It is deeply Shocking that a Judge of Jewish Heritage should Debase, Degrade, and bring Serious Damage, to the Jewish Traditions of TRUE Social Justice, and Impartial renderings in order to Heal, serious rifts and destructive tendencies amongst the Human Family. The Judge may have re-invented himself as the defender of the basest of violent individuals and neo-nazi sympathizers – anything to advance his personal “social relevance and power,” (is there Anything more banal, and foolish????) , at a cost he has yet to realize, if ever. I would loathe to be in his shoes, in this most grave of personal limitations – self-adoration, and the worship of man-made gods.
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Anonymous
1:08 am
Apr 26, 2011
Sidney:
You are correct, in my opinion. Judge Goldstone, as a JUDGE, should show himself Impartial, Fair, and Honourable, anything less, gives the power of evil strength to prosper and thrive. It is not the Judge’s opinions, nor private inclinations, nor even his “ideologies,” nor his careerist aspirations, nor sycophantic imbibing of anti-Jewish perspectives (though that is a perversion of ethical behaviour, and a sickness unto itself), no, it is his lack of respect, and Just consideration for the factual truth, and lack of HONESTY, that rattles and in my opinion, disgusts most individuals who understand historical fact and or are acquainted with “unrevised” historical time-lines, and Jewish History. It is simply Unacceptable for a Judge, of any background, to choose ignorant understanding and narrow viewpoints to pander to the basest of instincts – that which elevates personal vanity to a pr-eminent importance. It is deeply Shocking that a Judge of Jewish Heritage should Debase, Degrade, and bring Serious Damage, to the Jewish Traditions of TRUE Social Justice, and Impartial renderings in order to Heal, serious rifts and destructive tendencies amongst the Human Family. The Judge may have re-invented himself as the defender of the basest of violent individuals and neo-nazi sympathizers – anything to advance his personal “social relevance and power,” (is there Anything more banal, and foolish????) , at a cost he has yet to realize, if ever. I would loathe to be in his shoes, in this most grave of personal limitations – self-adoration, and the worship of man-made gods.
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Anonymous
1:10 am
Apr 26, 2011
Sidney:
You are correct, in my opinion. Judge Goldstone, as a JUDGE, should show himself Impartial, Fair, and Honourable, anything less, gives the power of evil strength to prosper and thrive. It is not the Judge’s opinions, nor private inclinations, nor even his “ideologies,” nor his careerist aspirations, nor sycophantic imbibing of anti-Jewish perspectives (though that is a perversion of ethical behaviour, and a sickness unto itself), no, it is his lack of respect, and Just consideration for the factual truth, and lack of HONESTY, that rattles and in my opinion, disgusts most individuals who understand historical fact and or are acquainted with “unrevised” historical time-lines, and Jewish History. It is simply Unacceptable for a Judge, of any background, to choose ignorant understanding and narrow viewpoints to pander to the basest of instincts – that which elevates personal vanity to pre-eminent relevance. It is deeply Shocking that a Judge of Jewish Heritage should Debase, Degrade, and bring Serious Damage, to the Jewish Traditions of Individuals who hold TRUE Social Justice, and Impartial renderings in order to Heal, serious rifts and destructive tendencies amongst the Human Family, as a serious duty.
The Judge may have re-invented himself as the defender of the basest of violent individuals, and willfully “unknowingly” of neo-nazi sympathizers – anything to advance his personal “social relevance and power,” (is there Anything more banal, and foolish????) , at a cost he has yet to realize, if ever. I would loathe to be in his shoes, in this most grave of personal limitations – self-adoration, and the worship of man-made gods.
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Yaron Goldstein
5:11 pm
May 04, 2011
Robert, I see the issue bothers you a lot. However you seem to have solid views of reality and look only at the information that matches your theory. Those claims/statements made or not have others to contradict them. You are free to look for them. Reality is far more complex that those theories.
The issue you mentioned it the demographic problem and how the Israeli democracy can deal with it. It is an important angle of the whole picture.
There are many claims and theories about this. Far diverse than those you displayed in your last comment.
I, nor anybody I Israel wish to govern the Palestinian people. It is the last thing we ever needed. However Israelis, just like all Arab countries, do not want to pay the price of solving the refuges problem. And so that problem persists. What is called the peace process is actually, to me and many others, a strangle who will pay the price. All the rest are tactics.Arab countries could have long time ago solve that problem by giving refuges citizenship. But they kept the problem alive. Israel took over the west bank, from Jordan in 67. Those are Jordanians there, why does Jordan neglect it’s own people?!
Now, all those dictators, did everything they can to “blame it on the Jews”, and you my friend, are buying their propaganda. While they slaughter their own, they market Israel as apartheid state.
Now, when you quote politicians, remember that they speak on the media for a goal. Usually for the next elections. So what Mr Olmert or Barak said in Haaretz served some political goal. Too bad you bring this as facts or evidence. A bit naive I would say.
If you care so much about Israel, come down here and learn a few things about reality in the middle east. Believe me, when you see it with your own eyes, you get a better perspective.
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Albert Reingewirtz
6:06 pm
May 04, 2011
Arab states tried to destroy Israel in wars as a result they created two groups of refugees. The Jewish refugees from all Arab lands were absorbed at great cost into Israel’s society. The economy went into a tail spin called the Tsena. No other country in all of History absorbed so many refugees in a short time by so few ever. Then there were the Arab refugees created by The Arab High Command telling the Arabs to leave to make it easier to destroy Israel. In fact Israel told them the opposite. The Arab who stayed are full citizens and have rights no Arab in any Arab country can dream of having. This includes voting, membership in the Knesseth and a judge in the Supreme court of Israel, the foreign service etc… The Arab refugees less numerous than the Jewish refugees to his day are supported by US taxes. They have their own UN: UNWRA that pays for food, lodging and “education” in r3efugee camps. No other refugee ever was supported passed about 10 years except the Arab refugees who are now supported to the 3rd and 4th generation because Arab states refuse to absorb them as a weapon against Israel. Haaretz that almost no Israeli reads is the preferred source of information of US media for some reason that makes no sense whatsoever. Barak is the remain of a failed political party. In next elections he probably will be as important as important as last week’s clogged toilet. Yet US Jews loves him just like they loved Roosevelt that closed the doors to part of my family and they went up in smoke during the Shoa.
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b.kline
11:16 pm
May 04, 2011
Robert, I sympathise that you have, at your own admission, “psychological problems.” Also “scatological” problems. well, I can understand the phsychological ones, not sure which of the other correlates with your issues, whether you have a pre-occupation with excrement or exercising your wordless jazz voice as your instrument to put across your “important materials” with empathy for Goldstone and his ilk!
Dear Robert we as Jews and our only “bolt-hole,” namely Israel, is under dire threat from just about every country and despot in the world! Do you honestly consider that we can play games with ideals of fantasy from apologists for our very survival, and, if put up against a wall, will you still offer a rachmunus to your exterminator or ask our one true Gd for help?
For those distorting our principles, don’t crumple up the rights afforded to us, iron out all reasoning for a smooth transition in our defence.
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anonymous
6:00 am
May 06, 2011
“Scatological” issues which robbie has relates to the B.S. he is DEEPLY MIRED IN and DESPERATELY serving up for serious consideration.
to Robbie: TAKE a long bath, you Stink.
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Sidney
4:26 am
May 05, 2011
I keep reading the exchanging comments between reason and dereason, aka as Robert, who call himself a , since he to tell us the Truth about . We aren’t that blind to differentiate reality from fantasy, yet we are even less stupid than he wishes us to be. His back-up material to sustain his argument doesn’t convince anybody here. Robert, as he calls himself is nothing but a rude farce to which we aught to be aware, if anything. Whether he is for real or not doesn’t change anything about the facts, we Jews and Israelis, have grown up with. , Please do not tell us our Life History, we know it much better than you will ever try depicting it. A last note but non the least, , of course, it suites you well to mention this, with J Street and its likes, who are simply brainwashed by leftist mentalities, roaming free in the US campuses, overstuffed with debating. Once again, being amongst our detractors, is OK but do not push it! Robert or whoever you are, go teach the Arabs and all Muslims, who still wish to erase the STATE of Israel from the map. Don’t lecture us with you fantasies.
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jeff
6:36 am
May 06, 2011
ISIAIh 41 BRING forth your IDOLS did they PREACH to you see they can’t speak they can’t DO ANYTHING all they do is cause confusion. spalms 115 and spalms 135 thier IDOLS are FALSE cant speak can’t hear cant smell and those that make them shall become like them. Jeremiah 10 they nail their IDOL down like a scarecrow it can’t move can’…t speak can’t move must be carried these are nothing but the WORK of CON men.john 10 jesus christ sais his sheep hear his voice and another voice thy will not follow and if another person tries to preach to them they WILL FLEE from him. jeremiah 5 the priests bear rule on their own authority what will you do when your judged my word is not inside them. Now here is the kicker john 5 son of man voice goes back in time mathew 16 jesus christ claims to be the son of man.1 cor2 mind of CHRIST preached internally and john 16 sais the spirit of truth comes in the future. Ezekiel 13 lying prophets of ISRAEL my word is not inside them saying god sais god sais god sais wrote hoping mankind would CONFIRM their WORDS. all of this is EASILY verifiable.
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Loretta
10:02 pm
May 06, 2011
There is also a “Robert Corradino” that is leaving a whole slew of anti-Jewish, anti-Israeli, anti-Christian, anti-logic and anti-truth comments on the Wall Street Journal’s Discussion Group on the Mideast, (The Issue of a Nuclear Israel). I would invite all of you to join the discussion: http://online.wsj.com/community/groups/mideast-313/topics/issue-nuclear-israel?commentid=2441952?&mod=djemcomnewcommentintopicivecommentin#identifier
Thanks so much!
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Yaron Goldstein
3:32 pm
May 07, 2011
Those people are ofter hired by anti Israeli organizations funded by various anti Israeli sources. In the last year we learned about this in Israel following a research of a few Israeli journalists. They learned that those so called human rights organizations are funded by Arab governments, anti Israeli organizations ever the UK government.
Those all try to hide their true intentions by using those methods to influence public opinion.
This is nothing short of cheap propaganda. Sadly many web readers buy that junk as facts.
I do my best to talk back to those bastards!
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elzeide
10:40 pm
Jun 13, 2011
Dear poor Robert,
you easily said taht Israel is “… drunk on power.”
May I do a simple question: what are YOU drunk on?
What you say is 100% no sense.
Just delusional dreams
Sorry for you.
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Lucas Catherine en de Palestijnse Muur van Leugens - AmsterdamPost
12:13 pm
Jun 18, 2011
[...] Goldstone heeft inmiddels in de Washington Post op een nogal hypocriete manier toegegeven dat zijn rapport laster was: “Ik weet nu dat burgers niet met opzet en als onderdeel van beleid doelwit waren.” [...]
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Daoud Kuttab: War on Gaza -- Three Years Later - ScrollPost.com
8:20 pm
Dec 29, 2011
[...] him and his family the head of the UN commission South African judge Richard Goldstone, later wrote an opinion article changing some of the conclusions of the committee he headed. He never made any official change in [...]
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