Judge Richard Goldstone and the United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict have issued a report about Gaza that is strongly critical of both Israel and Hamas for their violations of human rights. On Wednesday, a special meeting of the U.N. General Assembly began a debate on whether to refer the report to the Security Council.
In January 2009 rudimentary rockets had been launched from Gaza toward nearby Jewish communities, and Israel had wreaked havoc with bombs, missiles, and ground invading forces. Judge Goldstone’s claim is that they are both guilty of “crimes against humanity.” Predictably, both the accused parties have denounced the report as biased and inaccurate.
Tags: crimes against humanity, deaths and damage in Gaza, destruction of Gaza, Gaza, Goldstone report, Israeli attack, plight of Gazans, President Jimmy Carter, rockerts from Gaza
Peace and Justice Post 
November 8, 2009 at 12:36 am |
Thank you very much, President Jimmy Carter, for your caring and thoughtful words. Coming as they do from a Nobel Peace Laureate and a noble voice for peace, they do carry weight. I hope President Obama would read this article and take necessary action.
I have been wondering also since the arrival of fall here in New Jersey, and the nights have been getting colder by each passing day, how the destitute and ill-equipped people of Gaza will survive the bitter cold winter of Gaza. I shiver even in my sheltered home, and I wonder how will the Gazans survive in drafty, leaking tents that provide so little shelter? None of the houses bombed by Israel in Gaza has been rebuilt because of Israel’s embargo of building materials. I have not heard Obama talk about Israel’s embargo of even basic materials necessary for survival, and I now wonder whether your judicious words will fall on this new Nobel Peace Laureate’s deaf ears? From what I have observed, it seems to me that Obama’s ears are quite open to Netanyahu’s arrogant words, but they are shut to the cries of the Palestinians’ suffering children.
In an excellent article by a young journalist named Aditya Ganapathiraju, I came across a list of articles barred by Israel from entering Gaza: “Even today, the most basic commodities for life still continue to be barred by the Israeli government. Materials like wood for doors or cement for rebuilding in the aftermath of the destruction left by the last attack remained barred. No electrical appliances, like refrigerators or washing machines, and no parts for cars are allowed. Also restricted are “fabrics, threads, needles, candles, matches, mattresses, sheets, blankets, cutlery, crockery, cups, glasses, musical instruments, books, tea, coffee, sausages, semolina, chocolate, sesame seeds, nuts, milk products in large packages, most baking products, light bulbs, crayons, clothing and shoes. School supplies too, are blocked from entering. More than 100 trucks full of stationary are still awaiting clearance to enter Gaza. All of the 387 government-run and 33 private schools, which serve more than 250,000 students, lack essential supplies. Draconian restrictions on glass, wood, and other building materials, has kept the hundreds of schools damaged during the assault remaining in terrible condition. When an occupying army blocks tea, blankets, crayons, and school stationary from entering the “largest prison on Earth,” severely restricts essentials like fuel and medicine, makes travel in and out all but impossible, and exercises complete control over its borders, airspace, and seas, the pretense of “security” seems dubious at best, and suggests that turning Gazans into beggars and Gaza into a “depoliticized humanitarian catastrophe” is precisely the plan.”
I can not adequately express my sense of frustration, sadness, bewilderment and shock when I think of the profound silence and seeming indifference of the White House to the plight of the Gazans, and especially to the plight of Gaza’s children.
Thank you very much, President Jimmy Carter, for expressing your thoughts.
Yesh Prabhu, Plainsboro, NJ
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