Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it is “appalled and disappointed” by a U.N. commission report that says Israel committed war crimes during its Gaza offensive.

The 600-page report by the United Nations commission, which was headed by South African Judge Richard Goldstone, concluded that “Israel committed actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity,” during Operation Cast Lead in late December and January.

The report, which was released Tuesday, also found that the Palestinians committed war crimes by firing rockets into civilian areas in southern Israel.

Israel did not cooperate with the fact-finding mission, the ministry said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, because “its mandate was clearly one-sided.”

“Both the mandate of the Mission and the resolution establishing it prejudged the outcome of any investigation, gave legitimacy to the Hamas terrorist organization and disregarded the deliberate Hamas strategy of using Palestinian civilians as cover for launching terrorist attacks,” the statement said.

“Notwithstanding its reservations, Israel will read the report carefully – as it does with all reports prepared by international and national organizations. Israel is committed to acting fully in accordance with international law and to examining any allegations of wrongdoing by its own forces.”

Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT