Legislation that attempts to shield Israel from war crimes prosecution by negating the UN Goldstone Report is now being proposed in the US House of Representatives.
Talk about the tail wagging the dog. The smell of AIPAC reeks in H.Res.867.
H.Res.867 already has the support of numerous fawning Congressmen and women who are seeking to reinforce Israel’s “culture of impunity,” as Goldstone put it, which was last demonstrated in the aftermath of the Gaza massacres of late 2008.
The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation sent out this alert yesterday:
Last Friday, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced H.Res.867.
(It) calls on the Obama Administration to “oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration” of the Report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, known as the Goldstone Report. Currently, 43 Representatives already have signed on to the resolution as co-sponsors.
If passed, this dangerous resolution would instruct the Obama Administration to continue its attempts to shield Israel from accountability for the war crimes it committed, as documented by the Goldstone Report, before, during, and after its assault on the Gaza Strip in December 2008-January 2009. The resolution also undermines the Obama Administration’s rhetorical support for the universality of human rights and its stated commitment to holding human rights violators accountable. In addition, it contains numerous inaccuracies about and misleading characterizations of the Goldstone Report. A vote on this resolution may take place as soon as next week.
Another alert came from If Americans Knew which appealed to Americans to take action and call their representatives.
EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT
Call Congress Now
TELL CONGRESS TO VOTE “NO” ON H.R. 867!
TELL CONGRESS TO RESPECT US AND INTERNATIONAL LAW!
Members of Congress are considering a bipartisan resolution that officially rejects the findings of the United Nations-commissioned Goldstone Report on Israel’s military offensive against Gaza. The resolution also calls on President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to urge U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice to veto the report in the UN Security Council. It ignores the conclusions of the Goldstone Report and simply parrots Israeli government denial.
Congress is expected to vote on the bill – H.R. 867 – by this weekend.
Judge Richard Goldstone has challenged the U.S. to substantiate its claim that his report is “flawed.” President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have made no response. The carefully researched and documented report deserves a response, not a veto. The people of Gaza, who were brutally attacked, deserve a hearing. What message are we sending to the rest of the world when we grant Israel complete impunity?
It is not in the U.S. interest to disregard war crimes. It is not in the U.S. interest to rewrite international law. It is not possible to grant Israel impunity while demanding other nations respect human rights.
Please call U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and demand the U.S. supports the Goldstone Report in the UN Security Council. Tell Secretary Clinton that a veto of the Goldstone Report would further tarnish America’s image in the world. Contact Secretary Clinton at 202.647.5291.
Contact your representatives or call the Capitol switchboard at the numbers below.
U.S. House of Representatives 202.225.3121 or www.house.gov
U.S. Senate 202.224.3121 or www.senate.gov
Several organizations endorsed the action including, Al-Awda, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Blauvelt Dominican Sisters Social Justice Committee, International Solidarity Movement – Chicago (ISM), International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG), U of C SJP, UIC SJP, Depaul SJP, WESPAC, United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)
