Senators to Clinton: Don't punish Israel over Goldstone report

Senators to Clinton Don

By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, JPOST CORRESPONDENT IN WASHINGTON
Thirty-two US senators signed a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging that the US block any punitive measures against Israel at the UN on account of the Goldstone Report, according to Tuesday's final tally. The letter, sponsored by Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), praised the US State Department for criticizing the "one-sided mandate" of the report on Israel's attack on Gaza this winter conducted by Judge Richard Goldstone, referring to "serious flaws" in the report and its investigation. The letter specifically emphasizes the failure to acknowledge Israel's right to defend itself by acting after being barraged for years with rockets from Gaza. The letter urges the US to make sure the report's consideration stays within the UN Human Rights Council, as the State Department has indicated it prefers, but also urges America's UN mission to prevent any actions against Israel in the UN Security Council, should it come to that.