Arab countries pushing for adoption of UN resolution on Goldstone report

Amid strong Israeli opposition, the UN General Assembly was to discuss on Wednesday whether to adopt a non-binding resolution sponsored by Arab countries that fully endorses the Goldstone report and calls for investigations by Israel and Hamas "that are independent, credible and in conformity with international standards." The text also asks UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to monitor the implementation of the draft resolution and report back to the General Assembly within three months with "a view to considering further action, if necessary, by the relevant UN organs and bodies, including by the Security Council."

Israel is opposing the resolution, and Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon accused the Palestinians of "manipulating international institutions in order to hurt and criticize Israel." Diplomats from the United States and several European countries have said privately that the draft resolution was one-sided, but the sponsors can count on broad support among non-aligned, African and Islamic countries, which make up the majority of the UN membership.

The Arab resolution essentially backs key recommendations made in the Goldstone report which recommends that both sides face prosecution before the International Criminal Court in The Hague if they fail to conduct credible investigations within six months. The report was endorsed last month by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.

Meanwhile, Britain and France presented a separate draft resolution to the United Nations. It also calls on Israel and Hamas to initiate independent probes into the war crimes allegations, but does not envisage sending the Goldstone  report to the Security Council or to refer the issue to the International Criminal Court at The Hague.