U.N. rights envoy sees Israeli war crimes in Gaza

[morteduzionism]

Story

Even if Israel is found guilty of something (not just the issues surrounding this claim) does anyone believe that they would EVER been punished by other nations?

I mean stuff like Cuba and N. Korea...i.e. sanctions, embargos, attempted regime change, etc...

[motiv-8]

No, because the argument will always remain that Israel's security and safety is more important.

[2-D Ron]

No, because the argument will always remain that Israel's security and safety is more important.

Yeah, N.Korea likes to provoke but not generally a threat, even to South Korea, I think they know what will happen if they attack Japan or North Korea.

[CDMan477]

If through the U.N. then no of course. The U.S. will veto it. It would be interesting to see if any individual countries in Europe step up to the plate however.

[Vince Noir]

If through the U.N. then no of course. The U.S. will veto it. It would be interesting to see if any individual countries in Europe step up to the plate however.

Quite right. The UN are powerless as of yet, see how well they they stopped America invading Iraq?

Sadly, economic sanctions are the best that one can hope for. But then again, who knows what might happen in the future.

[Erik]

It would be interesting to see if any individual countries in Europe step up to the plate however.

I don't think so.

Maybe some European countries would like to do something against Israel, but none wants to get America against them.

As long as America is an economic superpower, Israel can get away with anything.
But if the American economy collapses and Europe no longer is dependent on exports to America, then I think Israel will get a very rough ride.

Besides though, sanctions would be idiotic, it hurts the palestinians just as much as it hurts the Israelis.They might find the attention endearing, But other then that they would eventually have their economic condition worsen from it too. And it certainyl can get worse. Its my honest opinion that this needs to be solved by Israelis and palestinians, Foreign interference has mostly proven to make things worse.

It's my honest opinion that Israel isn't working towards peace at all, and that's the problem.
Israel seems perfectly contempt with the present situation, where they can do anything they like to the Palestinians and rely on billions of aid and unlimited sympathy from America.

I think sanctions against Israel will be the only way to FORCE Israel to make some concessions and work towards a lasting peace.
It might get a little tougher for the Palestinians on the short term, but in the long term it would be much better for them if the war and occupation ended.

[Admiral Piett]

I don't think so.

Maybe some European countries would like to do something against Israel, but none wants to get America against them.

As long as America is an economic superpower, Israel can get away with anything.
But if the American economy collapses and Europe no longer is dependent on exports to America, then I think Israel will get a very rough ride.

You know, if the case about Israel's crimes against humanity begins to heat up, American public opinion will change. The violence in January has actually hurt its image in America already.

The moment Palestine stops becoming synonomis with terrorism (Hamas), the more Americans will be willing to support it. Secretary of State Clinton has already appropriated around $900 million in aid for Gaza.

[CDMan477]

I don't think so.

Maybe some European countries would like to do something against Israel, but none wants to get America against them.

As long as America is an economic superpower, Israel can get away with anything.
But if the American economy collapses and Europe no longer is dependent on exports to America, then I think Israel will get a very rough ride.

Quite a few countries in Europe were willing to shrug off America in terms of Iraq and to a lesser extent Afghanistan. Why now in an entirely less critical issue would they be unwilling to put their money where their mouth is, literally.

[Erik]

Quite a few countries in Europe were willing to shrug off America in terms of Iraq and to a lesser extent Afghanistan.

It's one thing to not be part of the C.o.t.W. and quite another to "shrug off America".
France and Germany disagreed on the timing of the Iraq invasion (they supported the invasion, they just wanted to wait 2 more weeks for the final WMD report), but they made loads of efforts to not get America against them.

And AFAIK every European country supports the war against Afghanistan.

[CDMan477]

It's one thing to not be part of the C.o.t.W. and quite another to "shrug off America".
France and Germany disagreed on the timing of the Iraq invasion (they supported the invasion, they just wanted to wait 2 more weeks for the final WMD report), but they made loads of efforts to not get America against them.

And in the end, it really didn't mater. Whether county a,b, and c had boots on the ground or not, relations between countries continued as usual. Trade, dialogue and whatnot. The U.S. didn't try to shut anyone out. Why would it, it would have nothing to gain other than looking like an even bigger bully than it already appeared. If a group or even singular European country attempted any kind of retaliatory action against Israel, we'll see nothing but a half-hearted protest from some American Embassy.

And AFAIK every European country supports the war against Afghanistan.

I was more referring to the general population which if polling is accurate isn't as sold on Afghanistan as their respective governments.

[Каие]

No Israel is above the law.

[ShADoW]

Big brother will protect Israel.

[Hookah Smoking Caterpiller]

Israel > international law

[Martin N]

There isnt even any point to this at all, its happened before, and it will happen now, we will just veto it.

End of story, nevermind how bad it is, nothing can be done about it, the un is a bunch of huge stinking sack of fail when it comes to international conflicts.

[Copperknickers II]

I hardly call killing a few Palestinian civilians a war crime. Ok, it is not a good thing, but the Palestinians have killed enough Israelis.

[ShADoW]

A few? The latter killed +10x more than the Palestinians have.

[Copperknickers II]

People die in wars, get over it. The geneva convention is ridiculous, there can be no rules in war. Treat your prisoners well, and generally be sporting, is all that can be asked. International sanctions over Israel killing a few people? Look at Burma, North Korea, China, Africa... there are a lot worse things in the world that need a lot more attention, and punishing Israel for defending itself is not going to help anyone.

[Dr. Croccer]

People die in wars, get over it. The geneva convention is ridiculous, there can be no rules in war. Treat your prisoners well, and generally be sporting, is all that can be asked. International sanctions over Israel killing a few people? Look at Burma, North Korea, China, Africa... there are a lot worse things in the world that need a lot more attention, and punishing Israel for defending itself is not going to help anyone.

Defending itself? Okay... Walling in one Palestinian province, blockading it, and giving large reprissals for every form of aggression or ''innappropriate'' action; and attempting to wall the other one, after realising that flooding it with devout settlers isn't accepted by anyone? No. China and Korea aren't sweeties but they didn't attempt anything like this in recent times.

[fieldmarshal]

No. China and Korea aren't sweeties but they didn't attempt anything like this in recent times.

Yes after all, with the absolute freedom journalists get in these said countries, we would know immediately if they attempted anything like this. Those two American journalists that were arrested in Korea..i mean not journalists..imperial spies..

[Каие]

International sanctions over Israel killing a few people?

I must say that is the first time I've ever seen 42 years worth of occupation, harassment, human rights abuses, theft, rape, invasion, arbitrary incarceration of children and murder put so succinctly.