Goldstone co-authors hold the line on report

The three co-authors of the Goldstone Report have written a devastating defence of their investigations, rounding on Richard Goldstone and reaffirming, unreservedly, their findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Their statement includes a complete rejection of Israel's claims to be conducting serious inquiries into cases arising from the report. 

While noting the pressure and personal abuse they have endured in writing and upholding the report, the three co-authors also insist that the main charge of pre-planning the attacks on Gaza has never been addressed by Israel.  Citing a further UN committee finding on the progress of the report, they note:

"In addition, with regard to the issue of the policies guiding Operation Cast Lead, the committee states that there is "no indication that Israel has opened investigations into the actions of those who designed, planned, ordered and oversaw Operation Cast Lead". In other words, one of the most serious allegations about the conduct of Israel's military operations remains completely unaddressed." 

This statement will come as a catastrophic blow to Israel and its lobby's efforts to have the report fully retracted at the UN.  It also leaves Goldstone himself badly exposed. 

Perhaps the Goldstone document should now become the Jilani, Chinkin and Travers report.

John