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UN debates divisive Gaza report UN debates divisive Gaza report
(about 2 hours later)
The United Nations general assembly is deciding whether to endorse a controversial report alleging war crimes by Israel and Hamas.The United Nations general assembly is deciding whether to endorse a controversial report alleging war crimes by Israel and Hamas.
The report, compiled by Judge Richard Goldstone, urged both Israel and the Palestinians to set up investigations.The report, compiled by Judge Richard Goldstone, urged both Israel and the Palestinians to set up investigations.
The UN debate comes a day after the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to condemn the report.The UN debate comes a day after the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to condemn the report.
The US lawmakers approved a non-binding resolution calling the report "irredeemably biased".The US lawmakers approved a non-binding resolution calling the report "irredeemably biased".
A General Assembly draft resolution, introduced by Arab states and the Non-Aligned Movement, calls for independent investigations of alleged war crimes to be set up within three months and for possible Security Council action if Israel and the Palestinians fail to do so.A General Assembly draft resolution, introduced by Arab states and the Non-Aligned Movement, calls for independent investigations of alleged war crimes to be set up within three months and for possible Security Council action if Israel and the Palestinians fail to do so.
General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding - unlike Security Council resolutions.General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding - unlike Security Council resolutions.
The report accuses Israel of using "disproportionate force" in Gaza UN seeks close Gaza scrutiny Key extracts from UN statement Full UN report on Gaza war
The Goldstone report accuses both Israel and Hamas militants of committing war crimes.The Goldstone report accuses both Israel and Hamas militants of committing war crimes.
Addressing the General Assembly, Egypt's ambassador Maged Abdelaziz said all parties "must seriously and collectively confront the realities highlighted in the Goldstone report and act accordingly and responsibly in accordance with all obligations under the [Human Rights] Charter and international law, including international humanitarian and human rights laws". The report accuses Israel of using "disproportionate force" in Gaza class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8258147.stm">UN seeks close Gaza scrutiny class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8257446.stm">Key extracts from UN statement class="" href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/UNFFMGC_Report.pdf">Full UN report on Gaza war
The Palestinian UN observer Riyad Mansour said the draft resolution was "balanced and very responsible". Addressing the General Assembly, Egypt's ambassador Maged Abdelaziz said all parties "must seriously and collectively confront the realities highlighted in the Goldstone report and act accordingly".
The Palestinian UN observer Riyad Mansour said: "We are determined to follow up this report and its recommendations in all relevant international forums, including the Security Council and the International Criminal Court, until the realisation of justice."
Israel, which refused to co-operate with Judge Goldstone's probe, has rejected his findings, but has been under pressure to set up an independent investigation into the allegations.Israel, which refused to co-operate with Judge Goldstone's probe, has rejected his findings, but has been under pressure to set up an independent investigation into the allegations.
Its UN Ambassador Gabriela Shalev criticised the meeting. "Rather than confronting terrorism, the General Assembly chose again to detach itself from reality," she said.
"Rather than discuss to how better stop terrorist groups who deliberately target civilians, this body launches yet another campaign against the victims of terrorism - the people of Israel."
The draft text endorses a UN Human Rights Council resolution, which last month was backed by 25 member states; six voted against it.The draft text endorses a UN Human Rights Council resolution, which last month was backed by 25 member states; six voted against it.
Both Israel and the US said endorsing the report would set back Middle East peace efforts.Both Israel and the US said endorsing the report would set back Middle East peace efforts.
'White flags''White flags'
Palestinians and human rights groups say more than 1,400 Gazans were killed in the 22-day conflict that ended in January, but Israel puts the figure at 1,166. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were killed.Palestinians and human rights groups say more than 1,400 Gazans were killed in the 22-day conflict that ended in January, but Israel puts the figure at 1,166. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were killed.
The UN debate also comes as an Israeli human rights organisation criticised investigations being carried out by the Israeli military.The UN debate also comes as an Israeli human rights organisation criticised investigations being carried out by the Israeli military.
B'tselem said 13 of 23 military police investigations under way were based on information it and two other rights organisations had gathered.B'tselem said 13 of 23 military police investigations under way were based on information it and two other rights organisations had gathered.
Three of the cases concerned civilians allegedly killed while holding white flags, and four were cases where Gazans were said to have been used as human shields.Three of the cases concerned civilians allegedly killed while holding white flags, and four were cases where Gazans were said to have been used as human shields.
B'tselem said the investigations were not sufficient because they "only relate to isolated incidents in which a suspicion exists that soldiers breached military orders".B'tselem said the investigations were not sufficient because they "only relate to isolated incidents in which a suspicion exists that soldiers breached military orders".
"To date, not one investigation has been opened regarding Israel's policy during the operation, on matters such as the selection of targets, the open-fire orders given to soldiers, the legality of the weapons used, the balance between injury to civilians and military advantage, and so forth," it said."To date, not one investigation has been opened regarding Israel's policy during the operation, on matters such as the selection of targets, the open-fire orders given to soldiers, the legality of the weapons used, the balance between injury to civilians and military advantage, and so forth," it said.