Thursday Sep 17, 2009
Posted by Edwin Bennatan
Counterpoint to:
Justice in Gaza
For the equal application of international justice, the perpetrators of serious violations [in Gaza] must be held to account."
Richard Goldstone
The New York Times
September 17, 2009
Dear Dr. Goldstone,
You have just published one of the most damning condemnations of Israel in the country's modern history. Apart from accusing Israel of war crimes, severe human rights violations, and possibly crimes against humanity, you have shown contempt for Israel's widely respected judicial system (respected even by Israel's Arab neighbors) as well as for the level of freedom and civil liberties enjoyed by its citizens.
Please be aware, Dr. Goldstone, that few in Israel will argue, least of all I, that there is much to criticize in Israel. Israel has never claimed to be a perfect society (which society is?), and in fact, nowhere is there more criticism of Israel than within Israel itself. Self-criticism has been defined here as a national pastime.
The commission of inquiry that you led was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, an organization described in The London Times as "an international body utterly lacking in credibility or balance" and whose actions were unsupported by the European Union, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. So we thought we knew what to expect from your investigation.
It was therefore quite interesting to read in The New York Times your explanation of the proceedings that led you to produce and publish such a report.
Monday Nov 10, 2008
Posted by Edwin Bennatan
In April 2003, a 22 year-old British photography student, Tom Hurndall, a member of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement (ISM), was shot in Gaza by a soldier of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and subsequently died. Simon Block has made a two-hour feature television film about Hurndall, whom he describes as a peace activist. It tells a sad story.
But it is also tells a controversial story, because it exposes the hostile political activism of foreign nationals who come to Israel.
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About this blog
Point / Counterpoint
A response to selected commentary about Israel in the world press, from an up-close observer of the Middle East for more than fifty years.
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Recent Comments
Robert Kenner, New York, USA: Tom Friedman has written some great op-eds, but this is not one of them. His succumbing to political correctness is sad, but not surprising. If he had written that Israel has made several serious attempt to reach a peace agreement and it is the Palestinians who have rejected these efforts, then he would indeed have lost quite a bit of his readership. Friedman is not a Charles Krauthammer, and he wouldn't survive a New York minute in the NYT if he was.
norwegian: #4: You have to understand that for the folks here at JPost, there is no greater sin than being a "arab-lover".. It doesnt matter what he says, it doesnt matter what his arguments are. He is a lefty arab lover, and so should be ignored, just like the presiudent of the United States. Its called a echo-chamber, I do believe.
Joseph London: I was born the same month and year as the State of Israel, so I've lived through her history.Israel seems to win every war to destroy her and Israel also seems to be expected to make every concession to terrorists like Arafat. Throughout history the victor has tended to call the tune, aside from Israel. I would suggest that Egypt take responsibility for Gaza and Jordan take resposibility for the West Bank. Let Arab states rule Arabs. Israel and Jordan can share Jerusalem.
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Comments (58)