Netanyahu: No war crimes trials for Israelis

// added October 12, 2009 // 19 comments //
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Ihatethemall
JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed never to allow Israeli leaders or soldiers to stand trial on war crimes charges over their actions during last winter's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, furiously denouncing a U.N. report in a keynote address to parliament.

Netanyahu's fiery rhetoric — and his decision to open the high-profile speech with remarks on the report — reflected the deep distress felt among Israeli leaders after a U.N. commission accused Israel of intentionally harming civilians when it launched a massive attack in Gaza to stop years of rocket fire.

"This distorted report, written by this distorted committee, undermines Israel's right to defend itself. This report encourages terrorism and threatens peace," Netanyahu said in his address at the opening of parliament's winter session. "Israel will not take risks for peace if it can't defend itself."

The U.N. report, compiled by a team led by former war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone, accused both Israel and Hamas of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. It specifically accused Israel of using disproportionate force, deliberately targeting civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure, and using people as human shields. It accused Hamas of deliberately targeting civilians and trying to spread terror through its rocket attacks.

Israeli officials across the board have condemned the report, saying their country had little choice but to take harsh action against militants who were terrorizing southern Israel. They also blame Hamas for civilian casualties, saying the Islamic militant group took cover in residential areas during the fighting. However, Goldstone's strong credentials as a respected South African jurist, his Jewish faith and past support for Israeli causes have made it hard for Israel to dismiss the claims.

Netanyahu angrily noted the report's portrayal of Israeli leaders as war criminals. "The truth is exactly the opposite. Israel's leaders and its army are those who defended the citizens of Israel from war criminals," he said, before vowing to defend the country's wartime leaders.

"We will not allow Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak, who sent our sons to war, to arrive at the international court in the Hague," he said.

While Netanyahu has repeatedly lashed out at the U.N. report, Monday's comments appeared to be a direct response to a new Palestinian push for a vote on the report in the U.N.'s Human Rights Council. If the vote takes place, the matter could be referred to higher U.N. bodies that could theoretically push for war-crimes prosecution.
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19 comments // Netanyahu: No war crimes trials for Israelis

  • datamined
  • datamined
  • LadybugLady
  • samthesixth
  • freecrack
    • 0
      freecrack  
    • think about what your positions are when the palastinian is telling you its not one sided.
      war crimes tribunals for all who commit them not just the guys you dont like

    • 4 months ago
  • palestinePeace
    • 0
      palestinePeace  
    • I am palestinian escaped gaza and I have many to complain about.

      yes in palestine we believe the land of israel belongs to us. but we civilians are abused from our own "leaders." yes i know many friends and family injured and killed from israel army, but i hate palestine fighters who run into my village to use me as protection. they KNOW some of my friend and families will be killed.

      we believe in some of your cause, but now out of gaza i see peace in some lands and we deserve that. israel and palestinians please put down your weapon and fight with words.

      i believe palestinians can have our home, but we need to fight against them with west methods of words and laws so they support more.

      enough violence! palestine peace!

    • 4 months ago
  • larrysnotes
  • fun_size
    • 0
      fun_size  
    • Cmon we all know there were serious war crimes committed in Gaza. There should be an in depth UN investigation and the immediate removal of the blockade around Gaza. Israels "solution" to the Palestinian question is a slow paced mass relocation and extermination plan.

    • 4 months ago
  • cztheday
    • 0
      cztheday  
    • Sorry, but Israel knew exactly what it was getting when it elected Netanyahu...it must accept the consequences in terms of global rejection of his inflammatory bluster. We just lived through 8 years of the same kind of pain (and that idiot from Wyoming is the "gift that keeps on giving"...). I feel badly for those Israelis who would have preferred a different path. If the Israelis feel they were provoked and that this report is either inaccurate or exaggerrated (or both), then by all means challenge it...but this is not the way to do so.

    • 4 months ago
  • Tyr
  • Ihatethemall
  • animalia_libero
  • freecrack
    • 0
      freecrack  
    • but i never said that argument makes it right just understandable. i dont support robbing banks but when a desperate man cant feed his kids i understand it.

      the purpose of duel investigations isnt the 8 yr old tit for tat logic. its a matter of the full story being told not just one side.

      its like watching shawshank redemption without knowing andy was innocent. we would be like fuck that guy ur in jail for a reason. understanding the full story allows us to see his excape is rightious. it changes the whole story.
      does israel do some wicked shit yeah but in the scope of the full story the question is what else can they do.
      what needs to be adressed above all else are the terms upon wich these battles are waged.
      fix that civilian trench warfare and war crimes are a non issue

    • 4 months ago
  • NumLock
  • freecrack
  • fun_size
  • Ihatethemall
    • 0
      Ihatethemall  
    • is israel guilty of war crimes by the standards of the geneva convention? most likely yes.
      but is hamas not also guilty of this and to a greater degree?
      These are your words.

      Personally I have no trouble with the whole damn lot of them being taken off to a trial for crimes against humanity. Those that are guilty should be found guilty.
      I would never use the arguemant that you seem to use to justify israels war crimes.
      They did it too............................is not an excuse. It didn't work when we were 8, why should it work when we are adults?

    • 4 months ago
  • freecrack
    • 0
      freecrack  
    • a common arguement for the palastinians is they resort to terror because they have no other choice.
      they know its destructive but the lack of support from the world leaves them with only that option to achive thier autonomy.

      why does this not also apply to israel? to say that after being attacked by terrorists for years while the un does nothing leaves them with no other option than operation cast lead.is israel not supposed to fight for thie rights as well?is thier enemy not enbedded within the civilian populas thus forcing thier hand ?
      does israel need to use white phosporous ? no probably not
      does hamas need to use suicide bombers? no probably not

    • 4 months ago
  • freecrack
    • 0
      freecrack  
    • i recognize your respect for your contractors and i commend you

      israel is not even close to rogue state it is recognized and in part created by the un. the very orginization you derive credibility from in this article thus making israel by your standards, legitimite not rogue.

      i feel holocaust use is fiery rhetoric but more importantly its not about support for one group over another its about seeking the truth not evidence to support an idealogy.
      is israel guilty of war crimes by the standards of the geneva convention? most likely yes.
      but is hamas not also guilty of this and to a greater degree?
      if a bully beats up a kid every day and the blame is steadily placed with the kid and not the bully the story, and as a result, the reactions are not accurate or representative of anything to prevent it again.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ihatethemall
    • 0
      Ihatethemall  
    • "We will not allow Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak, who sent our sons to war, to arrive at the international court in the Hague," he said.
      Can you imagine what would have happened to Germany if they had said that about its war criminals.

      Round them up and send them to prison

    • 4 months ago
  • maasanova
    • 0
      maasanova  
    • Why defend a rogue state that uses white phosporous causing an actual holocaust? You don't see us defending America for using white phosporous causing a holocaust in Iraq do you?

      What should we call this mental condition which plagues otherwise well meaning people to defend Israel?

    • 4 months ago
  • freecrack

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