Judge Richard Goldstone's expressions of regret about the Goldstone Commission Report for the UN Human Rights Commission into Israel's incursion into Gaza in early 2009, Operation Cast Lead, has not received the hoped-for coverage in the world, especially compared with the original report.
Hebrew daily "Yediot Ahronot" today cites a source close Goldstone as saying that he originally approached the "The New York Times", one of the world's top newspapers, to publish his article, but that its Op-ed editor refused. Goldstone published his article in "The Washington Post" on Friday.
"The New York Times" said in response, "We do not comment on our editing and reporting procedures."
"The New York Times'" coverage of Israel has been considered highly critical in the past few months. This is especially prominent in frequent op-ed about the Middle East by commentator Thomas Friedman, whose criticism of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally has been unprecedented lately.
Since Goldstone published his article, the defense establishment has been discussing how to exploit it and improve Israel's international public image. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the defense establishment are considering using Goldstone's remarks as a reason to dismiss charges against Israeli officers and senior officials overseas. A top IDF legal source said that article reduced the legal risks facing IDF officers when they are abroad.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 4, 2011
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