Goldstone and Gaza
Kayid Al-Kuffar
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.