The Pitiful State of Israel, Goldstone Reports to the UN
On Tuesday some Israelis, and Palestinians must have taken a moment of pause as the legacy of conflict between these people visited two more milestones: the 36th anniversary of Yom Kippur War, and accusations of war crimes on both sides. The Gaza affair, with all the Hamas and Israeli atrocities, has somehow brought the conflict in the mid-East full circle in as far as world opinion is concerned. Stoic resistance on both sides, may not, or at least should no longer be an option for either side now, not after allegations of war crimes on both sides via “the Goldstone Report.” Neither side is blameless in this nasty and inhumane affair, but Israel has a rather unique legacy to uphold, and a position and future that demands accountability now. As for Hamas, their accounting can await further judgment.
Editor’s Note: Some of the images below are not suitable for young children, or anyone for that matter. However, in order to grasp the inhumanity exacted on the people in Gaza, we felt it necessary to reveal the real victims of the power struggle in and around Israel. Casualties on both sides are depicted obviously. When will the world demand an end to this?
The Yom Kippur War was the most costly in Israel’s history, and save a series of fortuitious events, could have meant the end of the Israeli state. The aftermath however led to the Camp David Accords and a lasting peace between Israel and Egypt. On Tuesday another milestone, and I think a crucial one for both sides took place. A report to the United Nations by noted war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone. Goldstone, former chief prosecutor of both the Rwanda and Yugoslavia war crimes tribunals, submitted the report after his fact finding mission to the area.
The findings, which are now of course the source of great dissension on both sides now, seem conclusive in both logic and objectivity now. Goldstone nailed down the situation between Hamas and the Israeli government as a situation where; “A culture of impunity in the region has existed for too long.” This is certainly true by anyone’s assessment after all that has happened.
Goldstone’s findings, and his subsequent suggestions to both combatants will loom large in the weeks and months to come. Regardless of allegations on both sides, some facts cannot be obscured obviously. Unwarranted atrocities by Hamas on the civilian population of Israel, countered by the wanton killing of civilians (most notably children and women) by Israeli forces, are just acts that cannot be condoned. Whether the Israelis like it or not, Goldstone’s admonition for Israel and Hamas to investigate their respective instances of possible war crimes bears a heave weight. Goldstone also had this to say:
“The lack of accountability for war crimes and possible war crimes against humanity has reached a crisis point; the ongoing lack of justice is undermining any hope for a successful peace process and reinforcing an environment that fosters violence.”
Crimes Against Ourselves
Regardless of what rhetoric the principals in this situation come up with, no matter how “justified”, or more appropriately “rationalized” these crimes are labeled, they happened. The world was wired in. Innocent people died at the hands of the combatants just as they did in Rwanda and Yugoslavia. Someone is going to pay a price, all be it probably not the price the innocents paid. It is pretty obvious that Hamas is knee deep in potential war crimes charges, but Israel has so far escaped relatively unscathed in all this somehow.
Except for a rather polarized International public opinion, until now Israel’s Machiavellian attempts at subterfuge and misdirection have been successful. Goldstone made no bones about redirecting the United Nations’ attention back to core issues however:
“There is strong evidence to suggest that numerous serious violations of internal law, both humanitarian and human rights law, were committed by Israel during the military operations in Gaza.”
Make no mistake about all this, most people are not on some “witch hunt” to demonize Jews, but accountability has to be had. Certainly no one really expects Hamas to go full out to investigate or acquiesce in any way, but Israel is another story. Why? Because they are a sovereign government and part of the world community for one thing. Sovereignty, this is all Israelis ever wanted really wasn’t it? Well, it comes with a price tag too. Goldstone’s report and the allegations it makes, only validate those already suggested by organizations already on top of the affair such as; B’Tselem, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and medico internal.
What remains to be seen is the response obviously. This writer cannot envision the government of Israel continuing its “holier art than thou” attitude given this escalation of world concern over their actions. Of course nothing could surprise us at this late date. The course set by that administration seems rather like a run away freight train as always.
However, as Goldstone also suggests, further “stone walling” on either factions part should culminate with a war crimes tribunal at the Hague. Ironic how a nation of people who were nearly wiped from the face of the planet by the most heinous acts of genocide committed, could be on the threshold of a trial like that at Nuremberg. If that sounds in any way blasphemous, let the chips fall where they may. The apparent facts still remain. I feel for the real people of Israel, and more particularly for those left who still remember WW2′s criminality. I wonder if those poor people would have understood rationale? This is pitiful.
Reasonable People Led By Unreasonable Leaders
In searching for some photos that depict better than I ever could, the face of atrocity registered by victims (mostly killed), I ran across a comment by a Jewish lady in the U.S., who really summed up what “should” be considered the right response by objective and humane Jewish people. I quote this comment below. I also want to say one more thing. These admonishments of mine toward the Jewish state, and its government, do not in any way superceded the need for Hamas and its leaders to rethink their position. Just because Israel needs to be held to the standard by which they uphold in so many other situations, in no way means a reckoning is not coming for those who committed war crimes against innocent Jewish civilians. Israel’s position, character and history dictate their preeminent scrutiny in this whole affair. Hamas is likely equally or even more guilty than they when all is said and done. This comment bears witness to people sometimes being led by unreasonable leader. For Israel and the Palestinians, perhaps the admonishment here should be; “Get new leadership.”
“As a Jew, an American and a mother, I felt compelled to witness, firsthand, what my people and my taxdollars had done during this invasion. Visiting Gaza filled me with unbearable sadness. Unlike the primitive weapons of Hamas, the Israelis had so many sophisticated ways to murder, maim and destroy-unmanned drones, F-16s dropping “smart bombs” that miss, Apache helicopters launching missiles, tanks firing from the ground, ships shelling Gaza from the sea. So many horrific weapons stamped with Made in the USA. While Hamas’ attacks on Israeli villages are deplorable, Israel’s disproportionate response is unconscionable, with 1,330 Palestinians dead vs. 13 Israelis.”
About the Author
Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.
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John, You are correct, take me to your leader. LOL
Always,
Phil (I think therefore I am) 
