The JCRC of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, along with The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, deplores today's U.N. Human Rights Council's endorsement of Richard Goldstone's report on Israel's actions defending itself against Hamas.
Jewish Community Relations Commission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines Contact: Mark S. Finkelstein, Director of Community Relations jcrc@dmjfed.orgThe following statement was issued by the Jewish Council of Public Affairs (JCPA), online at www.jewishpublicaffairs.org
JCPA: Goldstone Report Flawed; Demonstrates U.N. Bias against Israel
October 16, 2009NEW YORK - Friday's United Nation Human Rights Council's endorsement of the deeply flawed Goldstone Report is a set-back for peace efforts in the region as it calls into question Israel's right of self-defense, says a leading Jewish advocacy organization.
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and its Israel Advocacy Initiative (IAI), a joint project of UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America and JCPA, deplores today's U.N. Human Rights Council's endorsement of Richard Goldstone's report on Israel's actions defending itself against Hamas. JCPA notes this is the sixth time the Human Rights Council has singled out Israel in a special session in its three-year existence.
Andrea Weinstein, chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, released the following statement expressing dismay with today's vote in Geneva:
"We deplore the United Nation's Human Rights Council decision, which, in effect, condemns Israel for defending its citizens against a terrorist regime. For years, Hamas and other terrorist groups have sought to destroy Israel by firing thousands of rockets, inciting fear and killing innocent men, women and children. After numerous unsuccessful diplomatic attempts to end the attacks, Israel, as any nation under siege, had not just a right, but a duty to protect its citizens.
It is unfortunate that the Goldstone Report will only serve as a rallying call for those who are indifferent to Israel's legitimate security needs and to the search for a lasting peace in the region.
We express our appreciation to those nations, including our own, which stood up against this witch-hunt and opposed this resolution. As this report moves forward within the United Nations, we are hopeful those same nations and others will continue to fight back against an anti-Israel initiative that puts the fundamental principle of self-defense in jeopardy."
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Commentary on the Goldstone Report: "It looks like law, but it's just politics" by Warren Goldstein, October 14, 2009
