Rage at Abbas in aftermath of report
Photo: AP
PA wants urgent UN debate on Gaza
Palestinian diplomats urge Security Council to debate Goldstone report in light of Jerusalem riots
Palestinian diplomats in Geneva are pushing for an urgent meeting of the UN Human Rights Council to debate a report by jurist Richard Goldstone on alleged war crimes in Gaza earlier this year.
Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi says the move is prompted by violence this week in Jerusalem that he blamed on Israel and also wants discussed.
His comment appears to reflect a change in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision not to pursue war crimes charges against Israel over the Gaza fighting. Last week, he agreed to delay a debate on the UN report until March over concerns it could harm the Middle East peace process.
The Goldstone report alleges both the IDF and Hamas committed war crimes during their Dec. 27-Jan. 18 conflict.
On Thursday the UN Security Council rejected Libya's appeal to hold a special debate on the Goldstone report. However the issue is expected to come up on Wednesday as part of a general Middle East debate held regularly by the council.
