topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2235.74 -1.54
DAX 6677.3 -1.64
IBEX 30 8784.3 -1.32
CAC 40 3380.5 -1.29
FTSE 100 5850.22 -0.77
AEX 320.82 -1.32
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16430.62 -1.34
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4322.6 -0.79
Hang seng 20783.86 -1.08
Straits Times 2960 -0.71
ISEQ 20 502.17 -0.31
You are here: Home News Community News Goldstone report is 'emotive issue': Britain...

Community News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


17/10/2009Goldstone report is 'emotive issue': Britain and France

The leaders of Britain and France wrote to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday acknowledging that a UN report on the Gaza war was "an emotive issue" and urging a moderate response from all sides.

London - The leaders of Britain and France wrote to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday acknowledging that a UN report on the Gaza war was "an emotive issue" and urging a moderate response from all sides.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy responded after the UN Human Rights Council adopted the Goldstone report, which accuses Israel and Hamas of war crimes in the devastating 22-day Gaza conflict launched last December.

Israel has sharply criticised to the move, saying it "impairs both the effort to protect human rights in accordance with international law and the effort to promote peace in the Middle East."

In their letter, extracts of which were released by Downing Street, Brown and Sarkozy said: "We recognise that the Goldstone report is an emotive issue for Israel and the Palestinians.

"We want international discussion of the Goldstone report to be managed in a way that supports an improvement of the situation on the ground, including the security of Israel and the Palestinians, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

"We recognise Israel's right to self defence and are convinced that peace is the best guarantee for Israel’s and Israelis' security."

Brown and Sarkozy also called on Netanyahu to give humanitarian convoys access to Gaza, proceed with an independent probe into the conflict and share the findings, halt settlement activity in the Occupied Territories and resume negotiations along the lines laid out by the US.

The Goldstone report found that both Israel and Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during the conflict.

It recommends the referral of its conclusions to the International Criminal Court prosecutor in The Hague if Israel and Hamas fail to conduct credible investigations within six months.

The report's author, Richard Goldstone, himself criticised the resolution, saying that unlike his report which it endorsed, the wording slammed only Israel and spared Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist rulers of the Gaza Strip.

AFP/Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Jobs in France

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

Immigration and Legal Problems

Blocked Sewer Line outside property boundary - who pays ?

Sporting Events in France

Counter Strike!

Community Noticeboard France | Expat Events

migration to belgium!

Americans in France

Expatriate Events in Paris

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Management culture in France

Management culture in France

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes information on business hierarchy, negotiations, and etiquette.

American associations and clubs in Paris

American associations and clubs in Paris

A listing of organizations in the Paris area that cater primarily to Americans living in France. Updated April 2011.

British associations and clubs in Paris

British associations and clubs in Paris

Our handy guide to the British community in Paris, from cricket clubs to Scottish country dancing lessons to where to find a jar of Marmite.

Anglophone services in France

Anglophone services in France

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in France, from how to open a bank account to Islamic banking and investments.