UNITED NATIONS, Nov 6: The UN General Assembly on Thursday enjoined Israel and the Palestinians to probe war crimes allegedly committed in Gaza nearly a year ago, a move which the Jewish state said would hurt the quest for Middle East peace.

The 192-member assembly overwhelmingly approved an Arab-sponsored resolution that endorsed a UN report accusing both Israel and the Palestinians of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during the 22-day Gaza conflict that ended in January.

The move capped a two-day debate on the controversial, 575-page report by a panel led by respected former international prosecutor Richard Goldstone.

The vote was 114 in favor and 18 against, with 44 abstentions. A simple majority was needed for adoption.

Israel, which had strenuously opposed the non-binding resolution and the UN report that it endorsed, voted against it as did its staunchest ally, the US, along with Australia and a few European countries.

A majority of European Union countries, including Britain, France, Sweden and Spain, abstained after failing to secure amendments to the text, including one that would have dropped references to possible Security Council action if the report’s findings are not implemented. Russia also abstained.

Goldstone, a S. African Jew, had recommended that Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas that rules Gaza face possible prosecution before the ICC in The Hague if they fail to conduct credible, independent investigations within six months.—AFP
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