Independent UN Probe Committee slams Israel for lack of cooperation

Saturday May 23, 2009 03:48 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The independent investigation committee appointed by the United Nations to investigate Israeli violations during the offensive against the Gaza Strip, slammed Israel for the lack of cooperation, and said that this issue is obstructing their investigation.

Human Rights experts, South African judge and former International War Crimes Prosecutor, Richard Goldstone, who leading the UN Human Rights Council mission to investigate the incidents in Gaza, said that he feels depresses due to the lack of positive response from the Israeli government regarding cooperation with the investigation.

Goldstone added that he hopes to conduct a thorough investigation in the Gaza Strip and also in the West Bank .

He stated that he would hold public hearings in which witnesses can testify, and that those hearings would be held in Geneva if holding them in the region was not possible.

Generally, the investigation team should conclude its mission by the end of June, and would present its report to the United Nations on August 4.

But Goldstone said that Israel has not yet responded to his request to be allowed to enter the country and to cross into the Gaza Strip in order to conduct the investigation.

During a speech on Wednesday in Geneva, Goldstone said that he hopes that he and his four-member team would be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip after visiting the Israeli-Negev town of Sderot.

He added that his team would enter Gaza through Egypt if Israeli does not allowed them thorough the Eretz crossing.

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