Israel: Goldstone's Return --- Economic Sanctions on Tel Aviv?

After weeks of attempts to denigrate it and remove it from circulation, the Goldstone Report on the conduct of Israel & Hamas in the Gaza War has fought back a bit.

Former US ambassador Richard Schifter has assessed that, although there is no threat that the United Nations Security Council will take Israel to the International Criminal Court, there may be economic sanctions because of a paragraph in the Goldstone Report.  This refers to a UN provision, "Uniting for Peace", stating that if the Security Council does not order action to be taken, members of the General Assembly may pursue voluntary, collective action:

Israel-Palestine Analysis: The Obama Administration Changes Approach

1768. To the General Assembly:

The Mission recommends that the General Assembly request the Security Council to report to it on measures taken with regard to ensuring accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in relation to the facts in this report and any other relevant facts in the context of the military operations in Gaza, including the implementation of the Mission’s recommendations. The General Assembly may remain appraised of the matter until it is satisfied that appropriate action is taken at the domestic or international level in order to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. The GA may consider whether additional action within its powers is required in the interests of justice, including under resolution 377 (V) Uniting for Peace.

Resolution 377, "Uniting for Peace", declares:

Resolves that if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of intermitional peace and security in any case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression, the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately with a view to making appropriate recommendations to Members for collective measures, including in the case of a breach of the peace or aqt of aggression the use of armed force when necessary, to maintain or restare international peace and security. If not in session at the.time, the General Assembly may meet in emergency special session within twenty-four hours of the request therefor. Such emer- gency special session shall be called if requested by the Security Council on the yote of any seven members, or by a majority of the Members of the United Nations;

The resolution was first drafted to allow UN countries to wage war against North Korea in 1950 after a Soviet veto in the Security Council. It was also used to impose economic sanctions against the apartheid South African regime in 1982.

Comments

[Catherine]

Who knows? Maybe this could get some traction, especially if the Obama admin's change in approach (http://enduringamerica.com/2010/01/09/israel-palestine-analysis-the-obama-administration-changes-approach/) is perceived as ineffective after the initial flurry of positive overtures.

In the UK there is already a move to allow labelling produce from the West Bank as produced by Israeli settlers or by Palestinians.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6952943.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

[Dave]

What conduct of Hamas?

[Pic]

It's amazing that Israel, Iran & Hamas all claim great democratic values. Yet their conducts are fairly similar: Israel's upon the Palestinians and Hamas & Khameneinejad upon their own citizens. The rights & the great principles of justice they claim are limited for Israel to their citizens and for Gaza & Iran to their respective regimes' supporters. iI these countries, it all seems to be about power and (dis)possession.