osoab
6th April 2011, 08:08 PM
This is just too funny. Arguing over BS that is almost 2 years old for theatrics. Nothing about pulling back settlements.
U.S. committed to ending anti-Israel bias on UN council, envoy says (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-committed-to-ending-anti-israel-bias-on-un-council-envoy-says-1.354455)
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday defended America's membership on the controversial United Nations Human Rights Council as a necessary means of supporting Israel against detractors.
In prepared testimony, Susan Rice told a House panel that while the council has its flaws, a U.S. retreat would "embolden those nations that unfairly ostracize Israel and weaken the international community's ability to prevent human rights abuses."
She also said that the United States would continue to work to end the anti-Israel bias in the council, adding that it was better for the United States to stay engaged and resist this bias on the council "rather than turn our backs."
The Geneva-based Human Rights Council has come under scrutiny after Judge Richard Goldstone wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post backtracking on claims he had made in a report sponsored by the council, accusing Israel of targeting civilians during its war on the Gaza Strip two years ago.
Rice said on Wednesday that she wanted the controversial report to "disappear" but did not think it could be amended despite Goldstone's admission that some of his assessments may have been wrong.
Israel has urged the United Nations to cancel the 2009 report to the U.N. Human, however, Rice told a congressional hearing that she is "not sure it [the report] can be amended."
The U.S. ambassador continued, saying "what we want to see is for it to disappear and no longer be a subject of discussion and debate in the Human Rights Council or the General Assembly or beyond."
Rice said that the United States repudiated the Goldstone report as "deeply flawed" when it first emerged.
"We see no need ... for the Goldstone report to be considered and now that its principal author has said what he said, frankly, our view is reinforced that this should go away and that's what we'll work to do," she said.
Rice said the United States did not see any evidence that Israel intentionally targeted civilians or committed war crimes during the Gaza War two years ago.
Israel had shown an ability to investigate concerns about the conflict, "quite in contrast with Hamas," she said.
Asked by lawmakers about a possible Palestinian move for UN recognition of an independent Palestinian state, Rice said "you can pass a resolution but that does not a viable state create."
"A viable state can only be established through direct negotiations between the parties," she said.
Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/reconsidering-the-goldstone-report-on-israel-and-war-crimes/2011/04/01/AFg111JC_story.html)
The Goldstone Report (http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/UNFFMGC_Report.PDF)
The Recommendations for Izzy.
1769. To Israel
The Mission recommends that Israel immediately cease the border closures and
restrictions of passage through border crossings with the Gaza Strip and allow passage of
goods necessary and sufficient to meet the needs of the population, for the recovery and
reconstruction of housing and essential services and for the resumption of meaningful
economic activity in the Gaza Strip.
The Mission recommends that Israel cease the restrictions on access to the sea for fishing
purposes imposed on the Gaza Strip and allow such fishing activities within the 20
nautical miles as provided for in the Oslo accords. It further recommends that Israel
allow the resumption of agricultural activity within the Gaza Strip, including within areas
in the vicinity of the borders with Israel.
Israel should initiate a review of the rules of engagement, standard operating procedures,
open fire regulations and other guidance for military and security personnel. The Mission
recommends that Israel avail itself of the expertise of the ICRC, the United Nations
A/HRC/12/48
page 550
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant bodies, and Israeli
experts, civil society organizations with the relevant expertise and specialization, in order
to ensure compliance in this respect with international humanitarian law and international
human rights law. In particular such rules of engagement should ensure that the principles
of proportionality, distinction, precaution and non-discrimination are effectively
integrated in all such guidance and in any oral briefings provided to officers, soldiers and
security forces, so as to avoid the recurrence of Palestinian civilian deaths, destruction
and affronts on human dignity in violation of international law.
The Mission recommends that Israel allow freedom of movement for Palestinians within
the OPT - within the West Bank including East Jerusalem, between the Gaza Strip and
the West Bank and between the OPT and the outside world - in accordance with
international human rights standards and international commitments entered into by Israel
and the representatives of the Palestinian people. The Mission further recommends that
Israel forthwith lifts travel bans currently placed on Palestinians by reason of their human
rights or political activities.
The Mission recommends that Israel release Palestinians who are detained in Israeli
prisons in connection with the occupation. The release of children should be an utmost
priority. The Mission further recommends that Israel cease the discriminatory treatment
of Palestinian detainees. Family visits for prisoners from Gaza should resume.
Israel should forthwith cease interference with national political processes in the OPT,
and as a first step release all members of the Palestinian Legislative Council currently in
detention and allow all members of the PLC to move between Gaza and the West Bank
so that the Council may resume functioning
The Government of Israel should cease actions aimed at limiting the expression of
criticism by civil society and members of the public concerning Israels policies and
conduct during the military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Mission also recommends
that Israel set up an independent inquiry to assess whether the treatment by Israeli judicial
authorities of Palestinian and Jewish Israelis expressing dissent in connection with the
offensive was discriminatory, both in terms of charges and detention pending trial. The
results of the inquiry should be made public and, subject to the findings, appropriate
remedial action should be taken.
The Government of Israel should refrain from any action of reprisal against Palestinian
and Israeli individuals and organizations that have cooperated with the UN Fact Finding
Mission on the Gaza Conflict, in particular individuals who have appeared at the Public
Hearings held by the Mission in Gaza and Geneva and expressed criticism of actions by
the State of Israel.
The Mission recommends that Israel reiterates its commitment to respect the inviolability
of UN premises and personnel and that it undertakes all appropriate measures to ensure
that there is no repetition of violations in the future (ref Convention on Privileges and
Immunities of the UN). It further recommends that reparation to the United Nations be
provided fully and without further delay by the State of Israel, and that the General
Assembly consider this matter.
U.S. committed to ending anti-Israel bias on UN council, envoy says (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-committed-to-ending-anti-israel-bias-on-un-council-envoy-says-1.354455)
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday defended America's membership on the controversial United Nations Human Rights Council as a necessary means of supporting Israel against detractors.
In prepared testimony, Susan Rice told a House panel that while the council has its flaws, a U.S. retreat would "embolden those nations that unfairly ostracize Israel and weaken the international community's ability to prevent human rights abuses."
She also said that the United States would continue to work to end the anti-Israel bias in the council, adding that it was better for the United States to stay engaged and resist this bias on the council "rather than turn our backs."
The Geneva-based Human Rights Council has come under scrutiny after Judge Richard Goldstone wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post backtracking on claims he had made in a report sponsored by the council, accusing Israel of targeting civilians during its war on the Gaza Strip two years ago.
Rice said on Wednesday that she wanted the controversial report to "disappear" but did not think it could be amended despite Goldstone's admission that some of his assessments may have been wrong.
Israel has urged the United Nations to cancel the 2009 report to the U.N. Human, however, Rice told a congressional hearing that she is "not sure it [the report] can be amended."
The U.S. ambassador continued, saying "what we want to see is for it to disappear and no longer be a subject of discussion and debate in the Human Rights Council or the General Assembly or beyond."
Rice said that the United States repudiated the Goldstone report as "deeply flawed" when it first emerged.
"We see no need ... for the Goldstone report to be considered and now that its principal author has said what he said, frankly, our view is reinforced that this should go away and that's what we'll work to do," she said.
Rice said the United States did not see any evidence that Israel intentionally targeted civilians or committed war crimes during the Gaza War two years ago.
Israel had shown an ability to investigate concerns about the conflict, "quite in contrast with Hamas," she said.
Asked by lawmakers about a possible Palestinian move for UN recognition of an independent Palestinian state, Rice said "you can pass a resolution but that does not a viable state create."
"A viable state can only be established through direct negotiations between the parties," she said.
Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/reconsidering-the-goldstone-report-on-israel-and-war-crimes/2011/04/01/AFg111JC_story.html)
The Goldstone Report (http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/UNFFMGC_Report.PDF)
The Recommendations for Izzy.
1769. To Israel
The Mission recommends that Israel immediately cease the border closures and
restrictions of passage through border crossings with the Gaza Strip and allow passage of
goods necessary and sufficient to meet the needs of the population, for the recovery and
reconstruction of housing and essential services and for the resumption of meaningful
economic activity in the Gaza Strip.
The Mission recommends that Israel cease the restrictions on access to the sea for fishing
purposes imposed on the Gaza Strip and allow such fishing activities within the 20
nautical miles as provided for in the Oslo accords. It further recommends that Israel
allow the resumption of agricultural activity within the Gaza Strip, including within areas
in the vicinity of the borders with Israel.
Israel should initiate a review of the rules of engagement, standard operating procedures,
open fire regulations and other guidance for military and security personnel. The Mission
recommends that Israel avail itself of the expertise of the ICRC, the United Nations
A/HRC/12/48
page 550
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant bodies, and Israeli
experts, civil society organizations with the relevant expertise and specialization, in order
to ensure compliance in this respect with international humanitarian law and international
human rights law. In particular such rules of engagement should ensure that the principles
of proportionality, distinction, precaution and non-discrimination are effectively
integrated in all such guidance and in any oral briefings provided to officers, soldiers and
security forces, so as to avoid the recurrence of Palestinian civilian deaths, destruction
and affronts on human dignity in violation of international law.
The Mission recommends that Israel allow freedom of movement for Palestinians within
the OPT - within the West Bank including East Jerusalem, between the Gaza Strip and
the West Bank and between the OPT and the outside world - in accordance with
international human rights standards and international commitments entered into by Israel
and the representatives of the Palestinian people. The Mission further recommends that
Israel forthwith lifts travel bans currently placed on Palestinians by reason of their human
rights or political activities.
The Mission recommends that Israel release Palestinians who are detained in Israeli
prisons in connection with the occupation. The release of children should be an utmost
priority. The Mission further recommends that Israel cease the discriminatory treatment
of Palestinian detainees. Family visits for prisoners from Gaza should resume.
Israel should forthwith cease interference with national political processes in the OPT,
and as a first step release all members of the Palestinian Legislative Council currently in
detention and allow all members of the PLC to move between Gaza and the West Bank
so that the Council may resume functioning
The Government of Israel should cease actions aimed at limiting the expression of
criticism by civil society and members of the public concerning Israels policies and
conduct during the military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Mission also recommends
that Israel set up an independent inquiry to assess whether the treatment by Israeli judicial
authorities of Palestinian and Jewish Israelis expressing dissent in connection with the
offensive was discriminatory, both in terms of charges and detention pending trial. The
results of the inquiry should be made public and, subject to the findings, appropriate
remedial action should be taken.
The Government of Israel should refrain from any action of reprisal against Palestinian
and Israeli individuals and organizations that have cooperated with the UN Fact Finding
Mission on the Gaza Conflict, in particular individuals who have appeared at the Public
Hearings held by the Mission in Gaza and Geneva and expressed criticism of actions by
the State of Israel.
The Mission recommends that Israel reiterates its commitment to respect the inviolability
of UN premises and personnel and that it undertakes all appropriate measures to ensure
that there is no repetition of violations in the future (ref Convention on Privileges and
Immunities of the UN). It further recommends that reparation to the United Nations be
provided fully and without further delay by the State of Israel, and that the General
Assembly consider this matter.