International Justice Experts Call for War Crimes Inquiry of Israel

[Nikos]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-16-voa20.cfm

A group of prominent international war crimes experts is calling for an inquiry into the behavior of Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups during the Jewish state's recent offensive in Gaza.

The group signing the open letter to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the U.N. Security Council includes Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Richard Goldstone, a former chief prosecutor in Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
The letter urges the establishment of a U.N. commission to look into allegations that international humanitarian law was violated, by both sides, during the 23-day offensive. It calls for a prompt, impartial investigation that would set the record straight and make public any violation of international laws.

Interesting development. Do you think Israel committed War crimes in the Gaza offensive?

[IrishHitman]

White Phosphorus was filmed on the streets of Gaza, it seems to me that there were indeed war crimes committed.

[Nikos]

White Phosphorus was filmed on the streets of Gaza, it seems to me that there were indeed war crimes committed.

Really? Do you have a link?

[Grof]

Really? Do you have a link?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMR5D9HfsJE

[IrishHitman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMR5D9HfsJE

Beat me to it.

[Nikos]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMR5D9HfsJE

That's a shame.

[Martin N]

The un cant even stop israel because america is there , so what makes you think a criminal court or justice court can ?

Love it to happen though, the occupation/oppression is enough to go on for war crimes, never mind a blitz of that there country that can also be named a prison.

[Zephyrus]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-16-voa20.cfm

Interesting development. Do you think Israel committed War crimes in the Gaza offensive?

Hah, I'd like to see them try. Israel has nothing to worry about from this. Which is also a shame, because they performed extremely aggressive actions against the palestinian people instead of targetting hamas directly.

[roy34543]

Interesting development. Do you think Israel committed War crimes in the Gaza offensive?

If there are any theyre mostly isolated events rather then a concentrated steam of intentional war crimes, And frankly every country on earth that tries and denounce Israel can expect to look like hypocrites as nearly every country commits atrocities, and very few have such a difficult situation as Israel.

But anyway isnt this like the zillionth time theyre doing this? Its not really new.

Also the UN would already "love" to do an investigation, Its just that its a waste of money and they can expect any UN workers seriously questioning hamas to die.

[That Damn Robot!]

And frankly every country on earth that tries and denounce Israel can expect to look like hypocrites as nearly every country commits atrocities, and very few have such a difficult situation as Israel.

Just because other nations have behaved in a similar way in the past, it doesn't mean that they're wrong to denounce Israel for it.

If it can be proven that Israel used white Phosphorus amongst civilians, which it seems quite obvious that they did, then those responsible should face the consequences. Just as those in similar situations from any nation should.

Whether it will actually happen is another matter entirely, though.

[Erik]

And frankly every country on earth that tries and denounce Israel can expect to look like hypocrites as nearly every country commits atrocities

They aren't hypocrites if they allow the UN to investigate their own war crimes and punish the guilty.

[guinnessman]

Interesting development. Do you think Israel committed War crimes in the Gaza offensive?

Doesn't really matter. The UN will not be able to summon up the political or military capability to bring any alleged Israeli perpetrators of war crimes to justice. Law without force is meaningless.

I think the post also refers to war crimes committed by armed Palestinian groups as well. Again it's meaningless, nobody who isn't after them already is all of a sudden going to go out on a manhunt against them because some experts in international justice (whatever the hell that is) have complained to the UN.

[roy34543]

Umm. White phosphorous is totally legal by international law, Thats not a war crime , If you want call it immoral but its not a war crime.

[Aziel]

The UN can't stop Israel even without the US.

[roy34543]

The UN cant stop Somalia or North Korea, countries that are almost univerally hated. They dont even dare question saudi arabia for their policies.

[lordoftheT]

I thing it's illegal if used in areas with alot of civilians.

[roy34543]

If it can be proven that Israel used white Phosphorus, which it seems quite obvious that they did, then those responsible should face the consequences. Just as those in similar situations from any nation should

Except white phosphorous is not illegal to use by international law...So no nation would be punished for it.

thing it's illegal if used in areas with alot of civilians

Yes, but thats subject to definition, Who says what a lot of civilians counts as ? 1 , 2? A dozen? not that many people were injured by the white phosphorous.

[IrishHitman]

Yes, but thats subject to definition, Who says what a lot of civilians counts as ? 1 , 2? A dozen? not that many people were injured by the white phosphorous.

Gaza city's population density means that it is very unlikely that firing the stuff will result in a situation where it wouldn't be considering "a lot of civilians"........

Besides, it was an urban area in the video clearly.

[That Damn Robot!]

It is my understanding that it is illegal to use white Phosphorus as a weapon or in civilian areas.

[That Damn Robot!]

It is my understanding that it is illegal to use white Phosphorus as a weapon or in civilian areas.

And there you have it.