Israel won’t assist war crimes probe, says Barak

2 June 2009, 2:30 pm

JERUSALEM¬† – Israel will not cooperate with a United Nations team that has begun looking into possible war crimes committed during Israel’s military operation in Gaza, according to Defence Minister Ehud Barak.¬†During a visit to New York on Monday, Barak told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Israel did not approve of the mandate to investigate war crimes given to the team.

The team, headed by South African judge Richard Goldstone, entered Gaza on Monday via Egypt.¬†Israel has said it does not believe the investigation, which is looking into possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas, will be objective.¬†Goldstone reportedly said the team will remain in the area for a week and file a report with the UN Security Council in August.

JTA