Judge Richard Goldstone just published an Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post, and some are claiming that he's retracted his report on war crimes in the Israeli offensive in Gaza of 2008-2009. The article was pretty surprising to me, but the more I read into it, the more meaningless it read. He's done no favors to the investigation, but instead damaged all of his credibility. Granted, mostly to those who ignored the report in the first place. For those who heeded the report and believed the investigation and discussion should be continued, this is just a headache. I pity the guy, he's been torn to pieces by the very country he pledged allegiance to, I think to such an extent that any reaction to his apology might seem better. But if he was trying to hand Israel total vindication on a platter, which is what Israel is taking it to mean, then he's not made of the stuff I thought he was.

(The Washington Post) Richard Goldstone-Reconsidering the Goldstone Report

Here are some sources that are delving into the issue...

(Mondoweiss) Adam Horowitz-Goldstone Op-Ed Praises Israeli Investigation of Gaza War Crimes, But UN Committee Paints a Different Picture

(Electronic Intifada)Ilan Pappe-Goldstone's Shameful U-Turn

(Middle East Monitor) Member of UN Fact Finding mission on Gaza Conflict insists report stands unchanged

(Al Jazeera English) Noura Erekat-Goldstone: An Act of Negligence

(Democracy Now!)Judge Goldstone Retracts Part of His Report on Israeli Assault on Gaza, Leave Rest Intact: Interview with Lizzy Ratner and Adam Horowitz

(A Just Peace for Palestine) Ben White-Goldstone: Retractions Vs. Facts

(Hybrid States) Yaniv Reich-What the Goldstone Op-Ed Doesn't Say