Deputy FM Ayalon replies to motion for the agenda regarding the Goldstone Report

All civilian casualties in Gaza during the fighting were caused because Hamas violated all the international norms and treaties and used civilians as human shields.

 
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon replied to a motion for the agenda raised at the Knesset plenum regarding Israel's reply to the Goldstone report, and stated that "Israel is standing on a wide front together with Western countries who have been struck by terror, and who understand what it means to fight terror. They all realize today that the Goldstone Report does not only deal with Israel but also with the question of whether a democratic nation has the right to defend itself, or if terror has the right to exploit international treaties and injure civilians."
In addition, Deputy FM Ayalon stated that "It is not Israel that must investigate itself, but rather the investigation should focus on the Hamas-inspired terrorism which preceded Operation Cast Lead, which continues to this day to target not only Israel but also minorities in the Gaza Strip such as Christians and Fatah members."
He added that "All civilian casualties in Gaza during the fighting were caused because Hamas violated all the international norms and treaties and used civilians as human shields. I am certain that the Goldstone Report will raise dust on the annals of history, if it is not thrown into the dustbin of history."