Jerusalem, Nov 6 (IANS) Tel Aviv Friday deplored a UN resolution backing the Goldstone report that investigated human rights violations during the brief war between Israeli forces and Islamic militants in the Gaza Strip early this year.
The UN resolution suggests if either of the two sides fail to launch a credible investigation, then the matter should be submitted to the Security Council, Xinhua reported.

Israel has denied any violation of international humanitarian laws.

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) had appointed a former South African judge Richard Goldstone to investigate any possible human rights violations during the 22-day war in December and January in the Gaza Strip.

After a debate, majority of the 192-member UN General Assembly voted in favour of an unbinding resolution that calls upon both Israel and the Palestinians to conduct “independent and credible” investigations into alleged war crimes.

In response, Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement: “Israel rejects the UN resolution which is completely detached from the ground realities it faces.”

The ministry also said it has the right for self-defence and would continue to act to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks.

Israel said it launched the offensive in response to eight years of continuous rocket fire from Gaza. At least 1,400 people were killed in the fighting.

While defying international pressure for an inquiry based on the Goldstone report, Israel said it has been conducting its own investigation into a number of civilian deaths and other incidents during the Gaza war, including some listed in the report.