Fact Check: Israel has been criticized by a UN fact finding mission for degrading Palestinians and targetting civilians

Fact Check: Israel has been criticized by a UN fact-finding mission for degrading Palestinians and targeting civilians

What We Know

The claim that Israel has been criticized by a UN fact-finding mission for degrading Palestinians and targeting civilians is substantiated by the findings of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, commonly referred to as the Goldstone Report. This report was established in April 2009 following the Gaza War, with the mandate to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by Israel against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip (source-2).

The Goldstone Report concluded that both the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian militants committed war crimes during the conflict. Specifically, it accused Israel of conducting a "deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate and terrorize a civilian population" (source-2). This report has been a significant point of reference in discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has received widespread support among various UN member states, although it has also faced criticism for alleged biases and methodological flaws (source-2).

Analysis

The evidence presented in the Goldstone Report is critical in evaluating the claim. The report's findings are based on testimonies, interviews, and documentation of events during the Gaza War, which lasted from December 2008 to January 2009. The mission concluded that Israeli military operations resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure, which aligns with the claim of targeting civilians (source-2).

However, the report has been met with substantial criticism. Critics argue that it was biased against Israel and did not adequately address the actions of Hamas, which included launching rockets from populated areas and using civilians as shields (source-2). Furthermore, Richard Goldstone, the head of the mission, later stated that Israeli investigations indicated it was not government policy to deliberately target civilians, which has led to debates about the report's conclusions (source-2).

Despite these criticisms, the core assertion of the report—that Israel's military actions resulted in significant civilian harm—remains a central point of contention in international discussions about the conflict. The ongoing situation in Gaza, including recent escalations and civilian casualties, continues to draw condemnation from various UN bodies and human rights organizations (source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that Israel has been criticized by a UN fact-finding mission for degrading Palestinians and targeting civilians is True. The Goldstone Report provides substantial evidence of these criticisms, despite facing scrutiny and counterclaims regarding its impartiality. The ongoing discourse surrounding Israel's military actions and their impact on Palestinian civilians continues to be a significant aspect of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sources

1. Israel – Wikipedia
2. United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict
3. Israel insists it is doing all it can to protect civilians in Gaza and ...
4. Israel country profile - BBC News
5. UN experts condemn outrageous disregard for Palestinian civilians ...
6. Live updates: Israel-Iran attacks, missile strikes on Tel Aviv ... - CNN
7. Israeli actions in Palestinian territories constitute war ... - UN News
8. The Times of Israel | News from Israel, the Middle East and the …