A sad, but extremely accurate, assessment by Letty Cottin Pogrebin of the impact of the Goldstone Commission report. Instead of discussing the allegations raised in the report (many of them previously made by international human rights organizations), the discussion devolved into personal attacks on Justice Goldstone and claims of anti-Israel bias by anyone who had the temerity to call

Human rights organizations in Israel reissued their call to the Government of Israel to establish, without delay, an independent and impartial investigation mechanism to thoroughly examine the allegations raised regarding violations of international law during Operation Cast Lead. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet, heads of the organizations on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, called on Israel to take advantage of the short time still remaining before the UN deliberated on the Goldstone report's implementation.

The organizations specify in their letter why the military's internal examination, which includes operational debriefings and approximately 30 Military Police investigations, does not satisfy Israel's obligations to investigate. These examinations do not conform to the demands set by the Goldstone fact-finding mission, that Israel and Hamas each investigate suspected violations of international law during Cast Lead. Therefore, they will not be accepted as an appropriate response to the Goldstone report. Furthermore, the organizations warn that Israel's refusal to hold an independent investigation will expose military officers and members of the previous government to investigation and legal proceedings likely to take place outside Israel.

In light of the above, the organizations called on the Prime Minister to establish, without further delay, an impartial investigative body which will conduct an independent and effective investigation of incidents in which allegations have been raised that Israel violated the provisions of international law during Operation Cast Lead. In order that the investigation will be seen as credible, the organizations believe that a foreign expert on international humanitarian law should be a part of this process. The investigation
should examine Israel's conduct during Operation Cast Lead, including an examination of accountability on the political and command level. Likewise, the investigative body should be charged with preparing the
legal groundwork for future military conduct.

This morning the Israeli media reported that the PM is considering appointing a legal team to review the military's investigations and debriefings. The organizations clarify that only an independent and transparent investigation will satisfy Israel's international obligations.

The extent of damage to the civilian population during the operation was unprecedented. The allegations raised regarding the military's conduct are serious and grave. The Israeli public has the right to an explanation of the actions taken in its name in the Gaza Strip. This is an essential issue at the heart of Israeli society.

On October 26th, a delegation from RHR-NA met with Galit Baram of the Israeli Embassy to discuss our concerns about regarding allegations of war crimes during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza raised in the Goldstone Commission Report as well as by other independent investigators. We presented her with our letter to President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu requesting the State of Israel establish an independent and impartial investigatory body to look into these allegations. Read Rabbi Ellen Lippmann's Op-Ed in the New York Jewish Week about the visit and sign the letter.

Rabbis for Human Rights-North America have written to President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, urging them to initiate an independent investigation into possible abuses during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. We will be delivering this letter to the Israeli Embassy in Washington on Monday, October 26, and will be gathering signatures and reporting on our delegation, to the J-Street Conference later that day. Read the letter, click here to sign the letter, make a donation to support publication of the letter, and read ahead for a press release from RHR-NA.

Rabbi Brant Rosen, an RHR-NA Board member, wrote this entry about the Gaza Crisis in his blog on January 20, 2009. 

Rabbi Lenny Gordon went on a Masorti trip to Israel in January, 2009.  This is a link to his blog.

Alanna Sklover, a student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, has written this prayer for those suffering in Gaza.

Two months ago as part of a human rights trip to Israel, I led a group of Americans on a visit to Sderot.  As our bus entered the area within the range of rockets, I explained what participants should do in case of an attack - "find the nearest bomb shelter, follow others, if you don't find a shelter, lie down and cover your head with your hands,  you have 20 seconds to respond."  

Here is an update on what RHR has been doing since the initial statement we sent you the day after the war began, as well as an additional piece that Rabbi Arik Ascherman wrote a week ago.

We invite you to join this moderated public discussion, a forum in which supporters of RHR-NA can respectfully discuss the Gaza Crisis.
Sign up to get a one-a-day email with all the comments posted to the Gaza Crisis discussion.

Rabbis for Human Rights Executive Director Rabbi Arik Ascherman wrote this essay at the beginning of the current crisis.

The High Court today (January 9, 2009) demanded that the State supply answers by Tuesday (January 13) as to what measures they are taking and what further measures can be taken to allow the timely evacuation of the injured and a proper supply of fuel and electricity to Gaza. RHR is signed on "Gisha's" appeal on fuel/electricity. RHR Executive Director Rabbi Arik Ascherman does not know whether there will be another High Court discussion on Tuesday.

The following article was written by Carol Towarnicky and published in the Philadelphia Daily News on January 7, 2009.  Carol was a participant on the RHR-NA Nurturing Justice:  Human Rights Solidarity Mission to Israel and the West Bank this past November.

This is a copy of letter of support sent by RHR-NA's Board to Rabbi Arik Ascherman, RHR Executive Director, and Rabbi Anita Steiner, Chairperson. 

On Wednesday, January 7, Rabbis for human rights was one of nine human rights organizations petitioning Israel's Supreme Court for Israel to stop the collapse of the water and sewage system, according to the Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, the authors of the petition. 

RHR Board member Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman wrote the following prayer from his home in Jerusalem.

If there has ever been a time for prayer, this is that time.
If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza is that place.

Lord who is the creator of all children, hear our prayer this accursed day. God whom we call Blessed, turn your face to these, the children of Gaza, that they may know your blessings, and your shelter, that they may know light and warmth, where there is now only blackness and smoke, and a cold which cuts and clenches the skin.

Rabbis for Human Rights issued a statement on the 8th night of Hanukkah after the beginning of Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip. The statement is titled, Stop killing civilians now. Read RHR's statement.