Richard Goldstone was not allowed to attend his grandson's bar mitzvah

Updated 14:51 15/04/2010

News Top 10

Jews living in Johannesburg refuse to allow the judge to bar mitzvah ceremony of his grandson, after he published a severe report against the IDF. "Goldstone people believe that Israel is in danger there and does not want to receive an honor in the synagogue"

Jewish Judge Richard Goldstone, who is responsible for writing the report, which was accused of serious war crimes in Gaza IDF, was not allowed to attend his grandson's bar mitzvah. South African Zionist Federation prevented him from taking part in the event scheduled to take place in Johannesburg.

Goldstone. "Israel is in danger there"

Photo: Reuters

The decision, adopted with approval of the family itself, Goldstone will go to synagogue in Johannesburg when having a bar mitzvah. Local officials said that the decision is not of the synagogue and there was great anger towards the Judge Goldstone.

Besides the application to prevent the Goldstone's participation in the ceremony, there were calls for the existence of a demonstration outside the Knesset against him. "Goldstone people believe that Israel is in danger there and does not want to receive an honor in the synagogue," said a representative of the Jewish community.

As mentioned, the report written by the judge about "Operation Cast Lead unprecedented criticized the conduct of Israel and Hamas during the operation, arguing that both sides committed war crimes.

About two months ago Received UN General Assembly by a large majority a resolution of the Arab League, which called for Israel and the Palestinians to investigate comprehensively the Goldstone report's findings. 98 countries supported the resolution, 31 abstained and 7 opposed.

Decision to call UN Secretary-General to report within five months on the progress of internal investigations in Israel and the Palestinian Authority regarding the events of Cast Lead, following the Goldstone report.