Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The UN Human Rights Council, meeting in a special session 15 and 16 October, has approved the report into possible war crimes during the December 2008-January 2009 incursion by Israel into the Gaza Strip. The council will forward the report to the UN General Assembly for consideration. At the end of the session countries voted, 25-6, to approve the report, and 11 countries abstained.

Israel argued that the report was one-sided and ignored the attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians which precipitated the war. The US voted against approval, saying that it would hamper Mideast peace efforts.

The report was prepared by Richard Goldstone, a South African jurist nominated by the UN to look into possible violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. It concludes by recommending that both belligerents, Israel and the rulers of the Gaza Strip, Hamas, conduct impartial investigations into the conflict within six months. Otherwise, they will be referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Links to other sites: Al-Jazeera, BBC, CNN, Jerusalem Post

Background:“Human Rights Council to reopen debate on Gaza war report” 15 October 2009, GenevaLunch

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