It appears Jerusalem will not cooperate with the U.N. investigative committee probing Israel’s role in Operation Protective Edge, in light of Professor William Schabas’ comments against Israel and its PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

A week after the cease-fire that ended Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, the committee set up by the U.N. Human Rights Council to probe the conflict met for the first time to determine the nature of the investigation.

Professor William Schabas – Photo: AP

It is still unknown whether the committee, headed by Professor William Schabas, will go to Israel. It appears Israel does not plan to cooperate with the investigation in light of Schabas’ comments against Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu addressed the matter on Tuesday during a ceremony for the newest class of Israeli naval officers.

“You are all soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, soldiers in the world’s most moral army, and we will stand up to every attempt by hypocritical organizations to criticize you. If the U.N. wants to form investigative committees, they should form a committee to investigate the war crimes by Hamas, not IDF soldiers who acted exemplarily,” Netanyahu said.

And cabinet secretary Maj. Gen. (res) Avichai Mandelblit, speaking Tuesday at an event titled “Goldstone Report 2,” said: “A strong Supreme Court is our ultimate defense against malicious and absurd committees.” The event was hosted by Israel Bar Association’s Tel Aviv District and included numerous current and former military members.

Meanwhile, opposition MKs on Tuesday criticized the decision to have the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee review the IDF’s handling of Operation Protective Edge. Labor MK Nahman Shai said that the operation should be looked into by a judge, as was done after the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

View original Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=19851