tweakabelle
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Joined: 10/16/2007
From: Sydney Australia
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DomKen
This from the op-ed says all that needs to be said
quote:
The final report by the U.N. committee of independent experts — chaired by
former New York judge Mary McGowan Davis — that followed up on the
recommendations of the Goldstone Report has found that “Israel has dedicated
significant resources to investigate over 400 allegations of operational
misconduct in Gaza” while “the de facto authorities (i.e., Hamas) have not
conducted any investigations into the launching of rocket and mortar attacks
against Israel.”
Perhaps you haven't read in full the McGowan Davis Report that Goldstone relies upon. The only specific incident that Goldstone addressed in his op-ed is the al-Samouni case. Here's what the McGowan Davis Report has to say about that case:
"The Committee does not have sufficient information to establish the current status of the on-going criminal investigations into the killings of Ateya and Ahmad Samouni, the attack on the Wa’el al-Samouni house and the shooting of Iyad Samouni. This is of considerable concern: reportedly 24 civilians were killed and 19 were injured in the related incidents on 4 and 5 January 2009. Furthermore, the events may relate both to the actions and decisions of soldiers on the ground and of senior officers located in a war room, as well as to broader issues implicating the rules of engagement and the use of drones. There are also reports indicating that the MAG’s decision to investigate was opposed by the then Head of the IDF Southern Command. Media reports further inform that a senior officer, who was questioned “under caution" and had his promotion put on hold, told investigators that he was not warned that civilians were at the location. However, some of those civilians had been ordered there by IDF soldiers from that same officer’s’ unit and air force officers reportedly informed him of the possible presence of civilians. Despite allegedly being made aware of this information, the officer apparently approved air strikes that killed 21 people and injured 19 gathered in the al-Samouni house. Media sources also report that the incident has been described as a legitimate interpretation of drone photographs portrayed on a screen and that the special command investigation, initiated ten months after the incidents, did not conclude that there had been anything out of the ordinary in the strike. As of 24 October 2010, according to media reports, no decision had been made as to whether or not the officer would stand trial. The same officer who assertedly called in the strike reportedly insisted that ambulances not enter the sector under his control, fearing attempts to kidnap soldiers." (my emphasis)
You can see and hear what the al-Samouni family have to say on the incident here.
I am unable to see any exoneration of anyone or anything in the above quote. Am I missing something?
Or McGowan Davis' conclusion in relation to the design of Cast Lead:
"The Committee reiterates the conclusion of its previous report that there is no indication that Israel has opened investigations into the actions of those who designed, planned, ordered and oversaw Operation Cast Lead."
In the light of this comment it is hard to see how Israel's "intentionality" has been satisfactorily examined, as Goldstone's op-ed asserts. It appears that no examination has occurred nor is any planned. There are many other inconsistencies.
How significant is it that none of the other members of the panel share Goldstone's relaxed view of these matters?
Sorry there's a lot more that needs to be said on this matter.
An advance copy of the McGowan Davis Report is available here.
Edited to add the al-Samouni family link.
< Message edited by tweakabelle -- 4/16/2011 7:52:45 AM >
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