Israel Matzav: Good news: Goldstone recommended General Assembly act against Israel if Security Council won't

Good news: Goldstone recommended General Assembly act against Israel if Security Council won't

The Goldstone Report includes a little-noticed recommendation that urges 'collective action' by the United Nations General Assembly to sanction Israel in the likely event that the Security Council is unable to act.

The provision was used by the General Assembly members to apply tough economic sanctions against South Africa in 1982 and AJIRI is concerned that it could now be used against Israel.

The Goldstone Commission recommended that the General Assembly may remain apprised of the implementation of its findings and recommendations "until it is satisfied that appropriate action is taken at the domestic and international level to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators."

The General Assembly may consider whether additional action within its powers is required in the interests of justice, including under Resolution 377 (V) "Uniting for Peace."

According to the "Uniting for Peace" resolution, if the Security Council fails to take action due to a lack of unanimity among its permanent members - apparently a reference to a veto by one or more of the five permanent members - "the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately with a view to making appropriate recommendations to members for collective measures, including, in the case of breach of the peace or an act of aggression, the use of armed force when necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security."

Schifter said the resolution was first drafted and used to sanction UN countries to wage war against North Korea in 1950 and to impose economic sanctions against the apartheid South African regime in 1982. It was originally spearheaded by the US after the Soviet Union vetoed Security Council resolutions ordering the UN to take measures against North Korea.

Schifter told The Jerusalem Post his suspicions regarding the intent of this recommendation in the Goldstone Report were triggered by the fact that many equate the apartheid regime in South Africa with Israel.

I'm not sure how real a concern this is. Most of the countries that would be likely to volunteer in the General Assembly are likely countries with which Israel has no trade or relations anyway. The only fear is if the multilateralist Obama decides to go along with it. And my guess is that it won't come up before the General Assembly until after the midterm elections in the US, by which time Obama will be in a far weaker position than he is right now.

Maybe.

Israel Matzav: Good news: Goldstone recommended General Assembly act against Israel if Security Council won't