UN Inquiry Finds Israel "Punished and Terrorized" Palestinian Civilians, Committed War Crimes During Gaza Assault

More than 1,400 Palestinians–about a third of them women and children–were killed in the assault. Thirteen Israelis died.

The 575-page report came at the end of a six-month inquiry and was based on dozens of interviews and investigations. The inquiry was led by Judge Richard Goldstone, the former chief prosecutor of the international courts for Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Goldstone said Israel deliberately attacked civilians and failed to take precautions to minimize loss of civilian life

Goldstone also said there was evidence that Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes by firing rockets into southern Israel.

Goldstone’s report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council later this month. The investigators recommended that the UN Security Council should call on Israel and the Palestinian authorities to launch their own investigations into the conflict within three months. If either side failed to do that, the council should refer the matter to the International Criminal Court prosecutor in The Hague within six months.

Israel which had refused to co-operate with the investigation, claimed Goldsone"s investigation was biased against Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with top government officials last night. A senior Israeli staffer told Ha’aretz “The goal is to avoid a slippery slope which would lead Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.”

Norman Finkelstein joins us now in the firehouse studio. He is the author of several books, including “The Holocaust Industry”, “Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict” and “Beyond Chutzpah.” His forthcoming book about Israel"s assault on Gaza is due out on Dec. 27th, the first anniversary of the attack.

Norman Finkelstein, author of several books, including “The Holocaust Industry”, “Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict” and “Beyond Chutzpah.” His forthcoming book about Israel’s assault on Gaza is due out on Dec. 27th, the first anniversary of the attack.