The Goldstone Report
It got obscured in the news cycle last week, but Judge Richard Goldstone's report on Israel's war on Gaza constitutes a critical milestone. I'd been somewhat skeptical regarding Goldstone, given his performance at the ICTY, but within certain parameters he does, deservedly, have a reputation as a straight shooter. And on Gaza he came through. Probably to the amazement and clearly to the great consternation of the Israeli government. It's a pity that the U.S. State Department was so quick to rule out, or appear to rule out, the accountability that Judge Goldstone calls for, but U.S. wishes may not ultimately prevail. As George Bisharat argues, it's a question of the validity of international law generally — as such other important states than the U.S. could take the lead, making things happen — even to the point where U.S. legal culpability for Israeli crimes may (it seems conceivable to me) be broached.
Posted by George Kenney on September 20, 2009 2:25 PM 
« Whose Economist? | Main | Futility, Defined »
Comments
Uri Avnery has a rock-solid piece today about Obama (once again) getting rolled by Netanyahu:
http://www.counterpunch.org/avnery09232009.html
Any chance of getting Avnery on the pod?
[Good suggestion — I'll look into it. Kathleen Christison, btw, has a new book out, with her husband Bill, Palestine In Pieces, which Kathy and I should be talking in a few weeks. g.]
Posted by: EJK | September 23, 2009 12:18 PM
I read Avnery's article and noted his long list of interested groups that any president would need support from if a serious effort of peace was made. While deference must always be made to appear generous, the one not mentioned and probably the one Obama is currently most concerned about is the U.S. military, and their need and desire for a mission. As far as Israel is concerned, when all the oil in the region is gone they may find themselves without the backstop they have so conveniently relied on, and appearing at an international tribunal that will resurrect and redistribute what they believe they have successfully taken. Memories are long in that region — on both sides.
Posted by: Mike H | September 26, 2009 9:46 PM