Sherwin-Bryce Pease, New York

Judge Richard Goldstone says he does not share the view that his integrity and international standing has been affected by the criticism levelled against him following the release of the Goldstone Report into hostilities in Gaza 10 months ago. The report accuses both Israel's Defence Force and Hamas militants of war crimes, a view that has been rejected outright by the Israelis who continue to dismiss the findings as biased and unfair. 

The Human Rights Council recently voted to refer the Goldstone Report to the United Nations for further consideration, something that Israel has consistently been opposed to. As Israeli vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom puts it, Israel believes the report should stay in Geneva as they do not think it has to go to the Security Council. 

But Goldstone, who is the head of the fact-finding mission, has a different view. He thinks there is generally a complete absence of the parties, particularly getting to the substance of the report, attacks, personal attacks, other attacks on him and the overall mission. Goldstone has urged people to look at the message. He has also refused to comment on whether his reputation has been harmed by this current situation. 

Failing domestic inquiries, Goldstone believes the matter should go to the Security Council even though that should not necessarily be done immediately. He says if there is no preparedness on the part of Israel or the Palestinians to have domestic inquiries, the only body with the sanction would be the Security Council.