Israel preparing response to Goldstone report

JERUSALEM — Israel has prepared a response to the Goldstone report, which accused it of committing war crimes during the Gaza war.

The response, expected to be handed over to the United Nations later this week, reportedly will include photographic evidence that contradicts Richard Goldstone’s war crimes charges against Israel.

The United Nations-commissioned Goldstone report, issued in September 2009, gave Israel six months to investigate its alleged crimes before turning the matter over to international courts.

Some of the findings that reportedly refute the Goldstone report include evidence that the one Gaza flour mill was not deliberately attacked by Israel, but that it was hit by Hamas, The New York Times reported on January 23.

In addition, a sewage plant that was said to be deliberately targeted by Israel was hit mistakenly during an exchange of fire with Hamas.

Israel’s response was put together by the National Security Council, the Justice Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and the Israel Defence Forces prosecutor. Hamas also is reportedly working on a response.

Meanwhile, Israel has told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that it will pay $10.5 million in compensation for damage caused to UN buildings and equipment during Operation Cast Lead.

JTA