Judge Richard Goldstone. Too late to apologize?
Photo: AFP
Knesset Member Danny Danon
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Judge Richard Goldstone is expected to stand trial for libel following his retraction of his Operation Cast Lead report,
in which he accused Israel
of war crimes.
American Pessimism
UN envoy Rice says US wants report to 'disappear,' but adds: 'I’m not sure it can be amended'
Knesset Member Danny Danon (Likud), currently in the United States, has enlisted the help of a number of Jewish-American attorneys who agreed to file a lawsuit against the South African judge at no charge.
A petition will be filed with a New York District Court next week, in which the plaintiffs will demand a formal apology and a symbolic financial compensation for the State of Israel. A second lawsuit may be filed in an Israeli court if Goldstone arrives in Israel.
Minimize the damage
The decision to file the lawsuit is a direct response to the judge's op-ed in the Washington Post in which he claimed his report caused significant damage to the State of Israel in the United Nations and internationally.
Despite his retraction, Goldstone announced he does not intend to try and nix the report.
"The Goldstone Report is the 2010 version of a blood libel. The twisted image Goldstone painted of the State of Israel caused damage, is still causing damage and will continue to damage Israel and its citizens for years to come. A public apology published in every country might lessen the harm already done," Danon explained.
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