Often anti-Zionist and Israeli apologists when arguing about the Israel/Palestine conflict, behave like toddlers on a playground needing parental supervision. There are those who vehemently defend the actions of Israel regardless of the atrocities it commits. According to their logic Israel is protecting its “right to exist” (**rolls eyes**). This is while anti-Zionists also condone criminal actions of Hamas and see nothing wrong with it violating international law. Regardless of what the prevailing opinion is among Israeli apologists, it is the main aggressor in the Gaza conflict. The Goldstone Report in terms of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict confirms this truth.
The respected Justice Richard Goldstone in 2009 lead this UN mission on the Gaza conflict with a clear mandate “to investigate all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law that might have been committed at any time in the context of the military operations that were conducted in Gaza during the period from 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009, whether before, during or after”.
The belligerent Israel ordinarily refused to cooperate with the UN and shunned Justice Goldstone. Predictably, after the release of the Goldstone Report, Israel and its band of sympathisers claimed the report was biased, manipulative and unfair.
Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, then released a statement saying the Goldstone report is “a mockery on history”, that it had failed to “distinguish between the aggressor and a state exercising its right for self-defence”. We have heard this tired line many times before.
Peres accused Hamas of having fired more than 12 000 rockets and mortar shells at towns and villages “with one clear aim — to kill innocent civilians”. He, however, conveniently omits to mention the number of deaths actually caused.
Peres went on to accuse the report of “legitimising terrorist activity”. This is despite the fact that the report found both Israel and Hamas guilty of war crimes. It appears that Israel believes itself to be above international law.
Israel in this instance, as in all others, had the unconditional backing of the US. Thirty-two US senators signed a letter to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging that the US block “any punitive measures against Israel at the UN”.
Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said: “The mandate was unbalanced, one-sided and unacceptable. Goldstone did seek to expand his purview to look at Hamas and others and while we note that, the weight of the report is something like 85% oriented towards very specific and harsh condemnation and conclusions related to Israel and very sort of lightly treats without great specificity Hamas terrorism and its own atrocities.”
It is unclear which mandate Rice was referring to, as the UN mandate to the Goldstone mission was not targeted at Israel, but at investigating acts committed by both sides of the conflict.
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay correctly defended the report by saying: “These vehement arguments tried to shift the focus away from the soundness of the methodology and findings of the mission to plunge the debate into the quick sands of the highly partisan politics of the Middle East conflict.”
In SA, there is the disturbing tendency by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, largely represented by David Saks in public discourse, to want to defend Israel’s excesses despite overwhelming evidence supporting all allegations levelled against it. Anyone who appears to be critical of Israel’s actions is attacked, vilified and called all sorts of ridiculous names. It got even more ridiculous when it was reported that Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein had banned Justice Goldstone from attending his grandson’s bar mitzvah in response to the findings of the Goldstone Report. Goldstein even refused to have an audience with Justice Goldstone and representatives of the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF).
Allister Sparks, a respected veteran journalist, had recently called on the Chief Rabbi to apologise to Justice Goldstone after an investigation by the Israeli Defence Force confirmed the veracity of “three of the most serious findings of the Goldstone Report”. Goldstein at the time of the release of the report had lambasted the respected judge and accused him of “doing great damage to the state of Israel”.
As expected David Saks, led the onslaught against Sparks with the usual nauseating denialism of Israel’s criminality in the Gaza conflict and defended its war crimes. He accused Sparks of wanting to depict Justice Goldstone “as a courageous and decent man, who braved the wrath of his community to do what was right”. Indeed, Goldstone rose above petty theatricals of organisations such as the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and SAZF as well as above their blind solidarity with the state of Israel, to discharge his UN duties with commendable impartiality.
Saks, despite available evidence, denies that Israel committed war crimes. This is like Iran’s Ahmadinejad denying the Holocaust despite available evidence. He says: “Their eventual findings went way beyond identifying a few egregious cases in which Israel’s actions violated the laws of war, instead concocting a lurid picture of a brutal rampage by an all-powerful military juggernaut against helpless and innocent civilians.”
Human Rights Watch released a report that documented Israel’s “extensive use of white phosphorus munitions” during their three week murderous campaign in Gaza. Populated areas were targeted and civilian structures, including schools and hospitals were damaged during such indiscriminate attacks.
Mikhael Mankin from Breaking the Silence also said: “The testimonies (of 30 Israeli soldiers) prove that the immoral way the war was carried out was due to the systems in place and not the individual soldier.” It is uncertain how Saks arrived at the conclusion that Israel “strived to minimise civilian casualties”, when it is abundantly clear that civilians were targets.
Amnesty International was one of the many credible organisations that endorsed the Goldstone report. “The UN Human Rights Council should endorse the report and its recommendations and request the UN Secretary-General to refer it to the UN Security Council … The UNSC and other UN bodies must now take the steps necessary to ensure that the victims receive the justice and reparation that is their due and that perpetrators don’t get away with murder,” said Donatella Rovera, who headed Amnesty International’s investigation into the conflict.
It appears that only blind Israel apologists and sympathisers choose to rather perpetuate their denialism of the reality of war crimes that the state of Israel is guilty of. These are the same people who attempt to justify the blockade of Gaza, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. Only heartless individuals would support such “collective punishment” on the people of Gaza, only because Hamas has an axe to grind with Israel.
It was pleasing to hear UK Prime Minister David Cameron condemn and accused Israel of turning Gaza into a “prison camp”. If Saks and the SAJBD are also concerned with the preservation of human lives, regardless of whether they are Jews or Arabs, they must join the chorus of voices against crimes committed by the state of Israel. By condemning Israel, it is by no means a tacit condonation of criminal acts perpetrated by Hamas.
It is uncertain whether Saks also infers to represent the views of the local Jewish community. I would like to believe that these views only represent the SAJBD and not the entire Jewish community. Members of the Jewish community need to distance themselves from utterances that seek to condone criminal excesses regardless of who the perpetrator is.
Response:
Well put and its about time someone said it as it is. Now watch the attacks begin….
While I agree with most of what you said, it is obvious to me that you have no real understanding of the history of jews. Given their persecution throughout history, culminating in the Holocaust, the Israelis have looked back through their history and, understandably, come to the conclusion that they themselves will be their only protectors and that they shall respond to violence with greater violence, so as to never again be the victim. Factor that into your understanding of the situation, it is not as black and white as you paint it to be.
I disagree with you that, “…Members of the Jewish community need to distance themselves…”
That’s like saying that black members of the community need to distance themselves from the criminal behaviour of the ANC.
Israeli aggression – what rubbish. If Hamas and Hezbollah continue to prick the Tiger, they should not cry ‘foul’ when the Tiger bites them.
Hamas continue to hurl rockets, import more arms and hurl abuse at Israel. Hezbollah has rearmed and is ready to strike at any moment whilst people like you look the other way. Iran has sworn to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and all you can say is that Israel behave like toddlers. Well if you continued to abuse your toddler, you should go to jail. The real aggressors are the terrorists but you fail to see that. You, Mr Diakanyo believe the typical terrorist attitude which is and always has been, – “We will hit you, and we will hit you, and we will hit you but if you dare to hit us back we will take our revenge”? Hamas continue to use every trick in the book to discredit Israel and they succeed because, people like you do not see the wood for the trees. The last Flotilla Run was a good example of how people, like you, believed that old men, old women and children suddenly got it into their heads to try to throw Israeli soldiers over board and beat them with iron bars? Disproportionate response? As I said above, a Tiger does not consider the size of its enemy, it hits with all it has and Hamas know that but clearly you don’t and Hamas win again. Freedom loses. Shame on .
As your CV states, you are “beyond the realm of his expertise” and master of none.
The Goldstone report has been so thoroughly discredited (as the most fleeing internet search will reveal) that anyone regarding it as authoritative is beyond taking seriously. Goldstone himself was forced to admit that it was merely a preliminary report and should not be relied upon until a full inquiry was held.
Uh, despite the Gaza blockade, more humanitarian supplies reach Gaza overland from Israel in a week than the Turkish fleet was carrying.
Sentlese you are really naive and hopelessly biased? I dont think you actually have a clue about the subject you are reporting about. Did u go online and read other “reports about the conflict. Your article is just a rehash of soundbites from sources u choose to reproduce. I have an idea for you why dont you try do a real job and write a story with a unique angle on the subject matter instead of this copy and past dribble. Also a true journalist reports without bias and emotion. You should really be embarressed by this rubbish.
I’ve just read through this entire piece and I’m left with just one question: What has this writer brought to the party besides a rehash of tired, rancid rhetoric served up with a large dollop of rancour?
Ok, so he waved his Palestinian flag on a reputable website, denegrated a learned colleague, and vented his bile towards his other personal bugbears: Israel, SABJD, etc.
This is simply tedious and non-newsworthy. It promotes absolutely nothing novel or constructive towards promoting some kind of practical resolution to a complex, age-old impasse.
It’s sole purpose is basically to polarise issues – through spreading cynicism hate, selective information, and distrust. Regurgitation.
It would be interesting to find out which other global causes Sentletse champions so vehemently.
Or did David just dis him at the water fountain?
Well, I read through this (it wasn’t as long as the others). I agree with the sentiment but I want to believe that the UN is the body that must see to it that the Goldstone report results in some sort of action or sanction. I don’t have high hopes there; only the world (UN or other credible world body) can end the Middle East conflict, and not the US or SAJBD / ZF / PA / Hamas. The potency of the UN will be tested here, and it will be found wanting I’m afraid; infact the UN might unravel as a result of this one issue.
Unfortunately Jewishness in this country and pretty much around the world is inseperable to the politics of Israel.
The fact of the matter is they are two very different things, a mirror effect ‘Islamic extremism’ has had on Islam as a whole.
Sadly, in this country, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies along with the Beth Din haven’t the courage or conviction to condemn Israel’s obvious violations of human rights in the Middle East. It is the world’s current longest running occupation, but this fact is ignored by nations such as the US for realist poltical reasons. They might mention Hamas etc as you have, but anything mentioned is hypocritical on their part.
As a South African Jew, I don’t bother engaging others of the same faith since more often then not, as the excellent Zapiro cartoon illustrated, Jewish organs of authortiy in this country don’t have a shred of independence. The Goldstone Bar Mitzvah issue was disgusting on SAJBD’s part, and embarrassing.
Nothing will change as long as the state and religion are separated, but its too late for that.
Well put… For some strange reason Israel is under the impression it can get away with mass murder and anything else. And jewish people (the majority at least) always seem to defend them. You are absolutely correct in saying that jewish people should distance themselves from anybody that promotes the sort of Agenda that Israel has. Any race should do the same.
@sha
what planet do you live on to say that “it’s about time someone said it as it is”?
besides the fact that he isn’t “telling it as it is” (he is telling it merely as he sees it) … the sad reality is that SD isn’t actually saying anything that a million wannabe-journalists-but-just-opinionated-overgrown-angry-youths-on-computers haven’t said already.
…And that this potentially venerable marketplace of ideas and opinions is humouring this amateur.
@nissim
Kindly paint a different picture for us so that we judge u against the truth of your own saying.
Fact that I know is that:
Only the said conflict is the major issue that apparently needs world attention but the underlying cause of conflict is either a mystery or a secret.
So SD is stating the obvious. So what. Unlike those in the pro-Israel lobby above, me thinks that it is time Israel is recognised for what it is. Not a bastion of democracy and civilisation, but a state that would feel at home in the company of other rogue countries such as Iran, Sudan and North Korea. It should be ostracised like its soul-mates. However, I agree with Adam above. To be clear, the problem is Israel, not Jewishness.
Anybody who is foolish enough to take one side in this debate shows how little they truly understand the situation.
Adam
I agree with you absolutely. However in your last sentence were you not referring to the necessity of separation of state and religion or am I mistaken? In reality a sizable number of Jews do not subscribe to Zionism it is important to note that
“The Goldstone Report in terms of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict confirms this truth” wow and u actually believe that
Una – a sizable number of jews also believe in no G-d and according to your logic this would mean Judaism is not connected to G-d. PS In the SAME MANNER THAT JUDAISM CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM G-D nether can zionism be separated from Judaism. Judaism is a contract between one G-d one People and One land the exclusion of any part nullifies the one religion
@Joshua: i’d like to know when your faith in G-d became more important than a Palestinian mother’s agony at losing her son? It couldn’t have been while you were reading the Torah because nowhere does it elevate the geo-politics of the region or even relate them to our faith in G-d. In fact, for thousands of years, our critical difference was an independence of faith from the actions and outcomes of mortals. We didn’t believe prayer made us superior to others; it was a personal connection to divinity and a means to develop ourselves into better, more caring human beings. But i fear the fundamentalist rabi or logic to which you subscribe has perverted this and thus misleads this forum. Jews have an archeologically-proven and spiritual connection to the land, that is all. In all fairness to our Palestinian brothers, the land should be shared equitably – a notion that sadly offends the foreign policies of Washington and its merry Evangelicals. While we’re on history, the Muslims were such gracious landlords to us in Spain, we called that era the Golden Age. It would be nice to return the favour. Joshua and his ilk will be unable to agree, but they’re such a tiny minority of yahoos, we shouldn’t pay attention to them. They’ve lost the ability to think critically anyway.
@Grant Walisser: agreed, 100%. @SD, nice discourse but why an obscenely one-sided after such a good introduction?
In paragraph five of the article, it is mentioned that the number of deaths caused is conveniently omitted. Perhaps another thing is also conveniently omitted. Perhaps, just perhaps, God has set aside that land for the people of Israel. Remember, He promised it to them as an everlasting possession. God never breaks His promises. If God has made that promise, and if He has determined that it shall be so, then no power in the world can oppose His will and His plans, however it may seem to the contrary.
If it is thought that God is being unfair, or unjust, or whatever, it may be good to remember that He describes Himself as all knowing. He sees the motives of each heart. He knows the beginning from the end. He describes Himself as Alpha and Omega. He does not need our counsel or advice on any matter. He makes it clear that it is us who need to make and keep our peace with Him. Then there would be peace amongst us all and there would be no rockets and weapons of war.
The final outcome of events in the land of Israel will be made known to all in the fullness of time, whether we believe that God exists or not. God does not depend on our belief in Him. His plans will be finally accomplished whether or not we acknowledge Him.
Just a little food for thought.
binyamin – learn some history and torah before trying to use them to your advantage. It is a misconnection that jews thrived under muslim rule. Jews were being murdered by christians and muslims instituted discriminatory laws against Jews. Yes the discrimination was far better than the murder in Europe but is does not by any stretch of the imagination mean that we were well treated. (50% tax , no taller buildings etc…)
My bunch of Yahoos are only 12 million strong yes but we have survived 4000 years of history. “we are the smallest of nations but with a friend in the highest of places”
Palestinian children deserve the care that any child deserves that is why it is so disgusting the manner in which palestinian children are used as human shields by the likes of hamas.