UN Picks Judge to Probe Israeli 'War Crimes'

Jewish South African will investigate allegations of abuses
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 3, 2009 5:39 AM CDT
UN Picks Judge to Probe Israeli 'War Crimes'
Palestinians are seen on the rubble of building, following an Israeli army operation in Gaza, in the town of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009.    (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)

The UN has named a Jewish judge from South Africa to lead a high-level mission to investigate alleged war crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip, reports the AP. Richard Goldstone, the UN's former chief prosecutor for war crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, will head the probe ordered by the Human Rights Council in January.

According to the mandate, the investigation will focus only on Palestinian victims of the three-week war between Israel and Hamas earlier this year. Israel has refused cooperation with previous council probes, calling them biased. (More United Nations stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X