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THE GOLDSTONE INQUIRY: THE UN BLOOD LIBEL
The Jewish Factor:
Goldstone's Identity Crisis
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Richard Goldstone's Jewishness was undoubtedly a significant factor in his selection as Head of the UN Mission. Condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza by a Jew, it was believed, would avoid the criticisms the UN expects in light of its long history of anti-Israel bias.
When asked about the relevance of his Jewishness, Goldstone feigned ignorance. He said "he was shocked to be invited to head this mission," as if his Jewishness might only have worked in favor of Israel. He pretended to be unaware of the notorious activities of Jewish professor Richard Falk, appointed to the lead anti-Israel post of UN "Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights on Palestinian territories occupied since 1967."
"Q: Justice Goldstone, correct me if I am wrong but you are from Jewish background?
Justice Goldstone: Yes.
Q: What does it mean for you personally from your background to now be heading a UN investigation of a conflict related to Israel, a Jewish State? How do you feel about that, is it something you would have ever expected?
Justice Goldstone: Well it certainly came to me as quite a shock as a Jew to be invited by the President to head this mission. It is obviously an additional dimension. I've taken a deep interest in Israel in what happens in Israel and I have been associated with organizations that have worked in Israel. But having said that, I believe I can approach the daunting task that I have accepted to in an evenhanded and impartial manner and give it the same attention I have to situations in my own country where, perhaps, similar considerations may have been taken into account."
Near verbatim transcript of press conference by the President of the Human Rights Council, Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi (Nigeria) and Justice Richard J. Goldstone on the announcement of the Human Rights Council fact-finding mission on the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Geneva, 3 April 2009
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