The Middle East

UN Endorses Goldstone Report on Gaza

By Meredith Lee-Clark

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

GENEVA, Switzerland – The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted on October 16 to officially endorse a report investigating the fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas fighters in Gaza during the winter of 2008. Twenty-five countries voted for the endorsement, while six voted against it.

 

The United States was one of the countries who voted against the endorsement, arguing that adopting the report would set back progress on peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Britain and France did not vote, each said it had requested more time to work out a compromise resolution.

 

There were sharply differing views of the endorsement in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had originally called for a delay of the vote, but changed his position after public outcry in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, praised the endorsement and said that the Palestinian Authority’s goal was to implement justice for those accountable for crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

 

As Mansour is appointed by President Abbas and the Fatah party, however, it remains unclear how influential Mansour’s sentiments will be. Hamas, the ruling party in Gaza, was also criticized in the Goldstone Report for attacking Israeli civilians. Hamas released a statement saying that it supported the UN endorsement, but did not specifically address any charges against the party.

 

Israeli officials have expressed varying sentiments on the UN endorsement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would make sure the report was vetoed at the UN General Assembly.

 

“It’s going to the UN,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said about the report to his Likud Party. “We’ll make sure it gets vetoed.”

 

Other Israeli officials were more conciliatory. The Justice Ministry and Foreign Ministry have expressed support in establishing an investigation into the Goldstone Report’s allegations of war crimes, saying an official inquiry would help Israel combat the report. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that he would not rule out an internal inquiry, but wanted to ensure that such an investigation would not tarnish either Israel’s existing investigative bodies or the prosecutors in the Israeli Defense Forces.

 

For more information, please see:

 

Ha’aretz – Cabinet Likely to Discuss Probing Goldstone Gaza Report Findings – 19 October 2009

 

Palestinian News Network – Council of Ministers Welcomes UNHRC Adoption of Goldstone, Pushes for Follow-Up, End to Settlements – 19 October 2009

 

BBC News – UN Backs Gaza “War Crimes” Report – 16 October 2009

 

New York Times – UN Council Endorses Gaza Report – 16 October 2009

 

Human Rights Watch – UN Security Council: Demand Justice for Gaza Victims – 12 October 2009

Rebels Claim Saudi Fire Hit Yemen Town

By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’NA, Yemen – Shi’ite rebels in Northern Yemen have accused Saudi forces of firing into a border town on October 19 in support of the Yemeni government’s offensive against them. The al-Huthi rebels, who claim they are fighting political, economic and religious marginalization, have often accused Sunni-power Saudi Arabia of fighting on the side of Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Rebels issued a statement saying “the Saudi forces near the Hasama border region hit the Hasama market with heavy machinegun fire while the market was full of people.” They further stated “this reveals the increasing Saudi interference in Yemen’s internal affairs.”

A security official denied that Saudi forces have fired on Hasama and said Saudi Arabia had no role in the war. Saudi concerns stem from the fear that the conflict in Yemen’s northern province and separatist’s movement in the south will enable al Qaeda to establish a stronger foothold in the Arabian Peninsula state. Yemeni and Saudi al Qaeda militants said earlier this year that they had joined forces. Al Qaeda-linked militants have stepped up attacks on government and foreign targets in Yemen since 2007

In an interview with Saudi-owned MBC television, Yemeni president Saleh said Saudi Arabia backed Yemeni unity but did not interfere. Saleh continued vowing to crush the rebels, who he said last week would be defeated within days and accused al Qaeda, a Sunni group, of backing the Huthis.

The fighting has and continues to displace thousands of civilians in the area. A Yemeni based UN refugee officer, Andrew Knight, said about 65,000 displaced people are in the northwestern province of Hajjah and in estimated 55,000 are still living in Sa’da, mostly in abandoned buildings, in the mountains, and on roadsides in the war zone.

For more information please see:

PressTV – Saudi Fire ‘Hits” Market in North Yemen – 19 October 2009

Reuters – Yemen Rebels Say Saudi Troops Fired on Border Town – 19 October 2009

Khaleej Times – Yemen Rebels Say Saudi Troops Fired on Border Town – 19 October 2009

IDF Operations in Gaza and West Bank

On June 27, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out two operations in Gaza, one in Gaza City and the other in the southern city of Khan Younis.  The IDF states that the purpose of the incursions was to disrupt the terrorist infrastructure inside Gaza by finding and seizing militants and their weapons.  The incursions consisted of air strikes, as well a ground assault led by tanks.  The IDF claims that it “hit” 15 militants, while the media reports that 11 militants were killed, along with 2 civilians.  In addition, 40 people were injured, some in critical condition, and several dozens were arrested.  IDF reported that two soldiers were injured in these operations.

Then, early June 28, IDF went into the West Bank city of Nablus.  Witnesses stated that around 80 jeeps filled with Israeli soldiers entered the city.  Israeli troops interrupted radio and television programs and warned Palestinians to remain at home.  Again, IDF justified the incursion by stating that Nablus is a “hotbed” for terrorism and that the goal was to disrupt terror activity.  Israeli troops arrested two men suspected of being Fatah fighters and confiscated weapons.  Five IDF soldiers were wounded in a bombing in Nablus.  Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed branch of Fatah claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Both Fatah and Hamas leadership condemned Israel’s actions.  Hamas accused Israel and Fatah of conspiring to pressure Hamas in Gaza.  While Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the emergency Palestinian government, viewed the aggression as Israeli attempts to undermine the Palestinian government’s attempts to end the chaos.  Abbas condemned both of these military operations; calling the IDF’s actions as “criminal”.  He added that Fatah is against violence of any kind and criticized the launching of Qassam rockets.  Recently, Abbas vocalized his desire to disband all militias in both Gaza and the West Bank, even those affiliated with Fatah.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera:  “Israeli troops raid Nablus” 28 June 2007.

Gulf News:  “Israel raids downtown Nablus” 28 June 2007.

Gulf News:  “Israeli raids stoke war fears” 28 June 2007.

IDF:  “Nablus:  an officer and soldier severely injured” 28 June 2007.

Washington Post:  “At least 14 Palestinians killed as Israeli military enters Gaza” 28 June 2007.

Al Jazeera:  “Israel launches deadly Gaza raids” 27 June 2007.

IDF:  “A summary of today’s events in the Gaza Strip” 27 June 2007.

International Herald Tribune:  “Israeli raids into Gaza leave 13 dead” 27 June 2007.

New York Times:  “Israelis kills 11 militants inside Gaza; 2 civilians die” 27 June 2007.

Turkey Urges Israel to End Humanitarian Tragedy in Gaza

By Brandon Kaufman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey– On Friday, Turkey urged Israel to end the “humanitarian tragedy” taking place in Gaza, saying ties between the two allies cannot recover if Palestinians continue to suffer and peace talks continue to stall in the Middle East.

Turkey’s Foreign Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, told reporters that “Ending the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza; reviving peace efforts both on the Palestinian and Syrian track; and most importantly reinstating a prevailing spirit of peace in the region… this is what he want.”  He further added that “when there is a return to the track of peace, these relations of trust with Israel will be established on the same level as before.”

Davutoglu said that Israel’s war in Gaza at the turn of the year “killed the peace perspective” in the Middle East.  He further commented that the ongoing turmoil in the Palestinian territories is at the heart of the bilateral complications between Turkey and Israel.

In his comments to reporters, Davutoglu made it clear that Ankara was still bitter that the war in Gaza disrupted indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria; talks which Turkey had mediated “with so much effort.”

Davutoglu also flatly rejected assertions that the government in Ankara is becoming anti-Israeli.  “The humanitarian situation in Gaza should be improved in the shortest possible time.  How can wanting this amount to being anti-Israeli?  This is a humanitarian attitude,” he said.  Davutoglu further added that “although no single rocket has been fired on Gaza from Israel over the past eight months, children in Gaza have no schools to go to, and people have no homes to take shelter in.”

Earlier in the week, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister said that “Relations between Turkey and Israel have always been strong.  We have full confidence that they will always remain strong.”  Israel’s Prime Minister echoed similar statements this week saying that he hopes Turkish policy will be towards “strengthening peace.”

The Palestinian struggle for statehood enjoys broad ranging support in Turkey and so many wonder whether Turkey’s stance is a political one or whether it is grounded in the humanitarian objectives they outlined above.

For more information, please see:

Daily Star Lebanon- Turkey Tells Israel to End Gaza “Humanitarian Tragedy”- 17 October 2009

Tehran Times- Turkey Tells Israel to End “Tragedy”- 17 October 2009

Saudi Gazette- End Gaza Tragedy Turkey Tells Israel– 16 October 2009

Report Suggests Hezbollah Being Supplied with Rockets from Syria

By Brandon Kaufman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel– Israel’s Channel 10 news agency reported that Syria has given Hezbollah more than a quarter of its rocket arsenal, including missiles capable of hitting anywhere in Israel.  Israel cites the Kuwaiti al Jaridanewspaper as the source of its report.

A senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) source said on Tuesday that Syria has made a strategic decision to make available to Hezbollah every type of military weaponry it has at its disposal.  The Israeli report surfaced after an explosion took place in a Hezbollah operative village in which five persons were killed.  Following the blast, President Shimon Peres said that Hezbollah was turning Lebanon into a “powder keg,” and the IDF released footage showing apparent arms transfer activity at the home.  The IDF photos show persons, possibly Hezbollah operatives, removing something resembling a four meter long missile from the depot, loading it onto a truck and moving it to what is believed to be a hiding place.

Citing this example as Syrian involvement with Hezbollah, the senior IDF source said that weapons are now being smuggled from Syria into Lebanon on a regular basis.  As the source explained, “Iran pays, Syria smuggles and Hezbollah receives.”

Israeli security officials believe that Hezbollah has an arsenal of more than 40,000 rockets, many of which are stored at 300 storage facilities spread throughout Shi’ite villages in southern Lebanon.  Israeli military sources have said that “Syria feels quite comfortable.  There is no international pressure on Damascus to break off its ties with Iran or the ‘axis of evil.’  It pays no price for its role in the smuggling.”  The perception in Israel is that Syria is showing a total disregard for the international community by engaging in an escalation of continued military aid to Hezbollah.

The Israeli report also noted that Iranian and Syrian military officers are not only training Hezbollah operatives to use the new missiles, but are also assisting them to set up early warning stations in the Lebanese mountains to alert them when Israeli air force jets enter Lebanese airspace.

Despite the Israeli report however, it is worthwhile to note that the UN Security Council renewed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFL) mandate in southern Lebanon a month ago and has not altered the agreement, suggesting that the Security Council considers the peacekeepers efforts there sufficient.

For more information, please see:

Jerusalem Post- Syrian Long Range Missiles in Lebanon– 15 October 2009

United Press International- Report Says Syria Gave Hezbollah Rockets– 15 October 2009

Ha’aretz- Iran Pays, Syria Smuggles, and Hezbollah Receives Weapons– 14 October 2009

Associated Press- Exploding Shell Caused Blast at Hezbollah Home– 13 October 2009