Goldstone on my Mind

Lesson learned from reflections of Judge Goldstone's April 1,2011 NYT op-ed.

Never underestimate the power of shunning, shaming, and routine, ordinary hate to manipulate people.
IMO there was a problem from start, appointing Goldstone to head the investigation into war crimes and policies in the '08-'09 state sponsored terror attack on the corralled Gazans. Action endorsed by USA, including delivery of more military hardware, and overwhelmingly validated by USA Congress.

Goldstone is an avowed zionist. He boasts impressive credentials from S.Africa,where he was adept at adapting, both pre and post apartheid. He was appointed to look into 'alleged' Jewish and Arab war crimes during Israeli operation tagged Cast Lead. IMO this is a suspicious conflict of interest. No matter how impeccable his credentials are/were, there must be another reputable judge in the world who is not an active, participating Zionist...right?

Media opinions on Goldstone's mea culpa, if I only knew then what I know now, ranged from nothing new to complete exoneration of Israel. Even further, fresh blame was flung at Hamas for not bothering to investigate itself at all.

Yes it is that inane. Goldstone had no access to Israeli soldiers or policy planners, the Israeli government declined to cooperate with the UN commission, because of security reasons...I'm guessing here, Israel's rationale is available in US media.

When I read the op-ed it stung me that Goldstone didn't even bother to spell the
Samouni family name correctly. I thought, how would he like it if his name was spelled as Geldstone, or worse?
Was he so browbeaten & egocentric, worried about being de-friended, banned from the club, that he turned his back on the law and the occupied prisoners of Gaza?

See how those with power & position are flawed with the proverbial 'feet of clay'? He looked at brazen racism, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and sought to ease the impact; for his chosen side.


The first clue was when he did not recuse himself. If I were a gambler, I'd wager that Judge Goldstone believed that he could serve justice and Zionism simultaneously, no problemo.

The Report was received with praise,as fair, even-handed, impartial by US msm.
Of course Israel didn't like it all, they 'only' dropped white phosphorous to improve their vision, there was a well worn buzz phrase for every accusation.

The body count told the story.
The name of the planned assault, cast lead, named after a Hannakuh tune about a toy, a cast lead dreidle imo, speaks volumes about the zionist mindset. Equating war with child's play, toys, consequences seemingly unimportant, spilled blood ok as long as it isn't their's.

I know, I know, my prejudices are showing. These prejudices are from life; I try to be aware. I view politics through a Palestinian lens because that's where I fell through the rabbit hole of discovery.

Is the Goldstone Report good for Palestinians? I vote yes, it adds to the weight of continuing crimes. Floundering for excuses it reveals itself as grasping, and above all else Israel is deceptive. No friend of US. and definitely no peace seeker.
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Irish Ways & Irish Law, Sinead O'Connor