Goldstone and Gaza
VIVA PALESTINE
By Jimmy Carter
November 06, 2009 "New York Times" -- Published: November 5, 2009 -- Judge
Richard Goldstone and the United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza
conflict have issued a report about Gaza that is strongly critical of both
Israel and Hamas for their violations of human rights. On Wednesday, a
special meeting of the U.N. General Assembly began a debate on whether to
refer the report to the Security Council.
In January 2009 rudimentary rockets had been launched from Gaza toward
nearby Jewish communities, and Israel had wreaked havoc with bombs,
missiles, and ground invading forces. Judge Goldstone�s claim is that they
are both guilty of �crimes against humanity.� Predictably, both the accused
parties have denounced the report as biased and inaccurate.
It is good to remember that Judge Goldstone, from South Africa, is one of
the world�s most widely respected jurists, with an impeccable record of
wisdom, honesty and integrity. He is a devout Jew and has long been known as
a fervent defender of Israel�s right to peace and security.
In April 2008 I personally visited Sderot and Ashkelon, Israeli communities
near enough to have been hit by rockets fired from within Gaza. While there,
I condemned these indiscriminate attacks on civilians as acts of terrorism,
and I consider their condemnation by Judge Goldstone to be justified.
A year later, after the Israeli attack on Gaza, I was able to examine the
damage done to the small and heavily populated area, surrounded by an
impenetrable wall, with its gates tightly controlled. Knowing of the ability
of Israeli forces, often using U.S. weapons, to strike targets with pinpoint
accuracy, it was difficult to understand or explain the destruction of
hospitals, schools, prisons, United Nations facilities, small factories and
repair shops, agricultural processing plants and almost 40,000 homes.
The Goldstone committee examined closely the cause of deaths of the 1,387
Palestinians who perished, and the degree of damage to the various areas.
The conclusion was that the civilian areas were targeted and the devastation
was deliberate. Again, the criticism of Israel in the Goldstone report is
justified.
He has called on the United States, Israel and others who dispute the
accuracy of the report to conduct an independent investigation of their own.
Hamas leaders have announced that their investigation is under way, but
Israel has rejected Judge Goldstone�s request.
Putting this dispute aside, it is important to examine present circumstances
and the need to prevent further suffering. The rocket fire from Gaza is now
being severely restrained, perhaps because of the certainty of Israeli
retaliation, but the punishment of the 1.5 million Palestinian inhabitants
of Gaza continues. Now and for the past 10 months, Israel has not permitted
cement, lumber, panes of glass, or other building materials to pass their
entry points into Gaza. Several hundred thousand homeless people suffered
through last winter in a few tents, under plastic sheets, or huddled in
caves dug into the debris of their former homes. The weather was warmer when
I was there several months later, but the description of suffering through
the winter cold was heartbreaking.
Another winter is now approaching, and neither the Israelis nor the
international community has taken steps to alleviate the Gazans� plight.
United Nations agencies and leaders in the European community have offered
to provide an avenue of channeling funds and building materials directly to
the people in need, completely bypassing the Hamas political leaders. These
officials, both in Gaza and in Damascus, have assured me that they would
accept this arrangement.
There would be no chance for the misuse of such assistance for weapons,
military fortifications, or other non-humanitarian purposes.
I was informed recently by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia that he has pledged
$1 billion, and other Arab leaders have added an additional $300 million for
this purpose. There is little doubt that other nations would also be
generous.
Without ascribing blame to either of the disputing parties, it is imperative
that the United States and the international community take steps to assure
that the rebuilding of Gaza be commenced, and without delay. The cries of
homeless and freezing people demand relief.
Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and is a
member of the Elders.
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