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UN Begins Gaza War Crimes Probe

Israel alleges bias, but Jewish rapporteur draws wide praise

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2009 6:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – A UN team investigating possible war crimes by the Israeli army and Hamas has arrived in the Gaza Strip for a weeklong fact-finding mission. Israel is refusing to cooperate with what it calls a "masquerade," alleging that the UN Human Rights Council is unfairly biased. But the selection of Richard Goldstone, a South African Jew with experience in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as head of the inquiry has given the commission greater legitimacy, reports the BBC.

Goldstone's team is to meet NGOs, UN agencies, and victims of alleged war crimes. In addition to visiting Gaza, Goldstone wants to tour southern Israeli towns that suffered Hamas rocket fire, but Israel seems unwilling to allow the UN team access. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has already requested more than $11 million in compensation from Israel for damage to UN property in Gaza; a limited inquiry by the UN earlier accused Israel of targeting civilian shelters during the operation.

UN investigator Richard Goldstone arrives for a meeting to the Hamas Health Ministry, in Gaza City, Monday, June 1, 2009.
UN investigator Richard Goldstone arrives for a meeting to the Hamas Health Ministry, in Gaza City, Monday, June 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
A Palestinian girl passes by a house destroyed during Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza earlier this year, in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 1, 2009.
A Palestinian girl passes by a house destroyed during Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza earlier this year, in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Richard Goldstone, the former UN chief prosecutor for war crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, was named to head the investigation ordered by the Human Rights Council in January.
Richard Goldstone, the former UN chief prosecutor for war crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, was named to head the investigation ordered by the Human Rights Council in January.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)
Israeli officials have insisted the investigation, led by veteran war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone, would not be objective, citing alleged anti-Israel bias by the agency sponsoring the probe.
Israeli officials have insisted the investigation, led by veteran war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone, would not be objective, citing alleged anti-Israel bias by the agency sponsoring the probe.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
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