
 
 Prime Minister  Binyamin Netanyahu issued a last-gasp warning on Thursday to the 47 countries of  the United Nations Human Rights Council, currently convening in Geneva. The  Council is expected to vote on Friday whether to endorse and pass the Goldstone  report on to the U.N. General Assembly. 
It is expected that the Council  will vote to accept the Goldstone findings, which conclude that both Israel and  Hamas committed war crimes during Operation Cast Lead earlier this year. Israel  launched the offensive after Gaza terrorists rained down thousands of rockets on  Israeli towns and cities, killing over 20 people and making havoc of routine  life in Israel’s western Negev.
“A vote will [soo be held in Geneva in  the so-called UN Human Rights Council,” Netanyahu said, adding that “this  council has made, in recent years, more resolutions against Israel than any of  the 180 countries around the world.”
He said that if the  committee decides to promote the Goldstone report, it would cause grave harm in  three areas: It would grant legitimacy to the Hamas terrorist practice of  attacking civilian targets while hiding behind other civilians. It would deal a  blow to the UN status, reducing it to making “absurd” decisions. It would  gravely harm the peace process, discouraging Israel from taking risks for peace  for fear that it will not receive international backing. “I hope a majority [of  the Counci will come to their senses,” Netanyahu said, but added, “We have no  confidence in it; there is usually an automatic majority there against us.”  
“If a majority is found to negate this report, it will avoid  this severe blow,” Netanyahu said, “but if not, the responsibility will be on  those countries who didn't pull themselves together in time.”
Israel's  U.N. ambassador in Geneva, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, has admitted it is likely that  the report will in fact be passed on to the U.N. General Assembly. But he said  he is still seeking justice and a moral victory in having the countries of the  West support Israel’s position.