UK Commander's Expert Testimony Stirs UN Controversy by Contradicting Goldstone Report

Colonel Richard Kemp

Published by

- at October 16, 2009 in Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

GENEVA, October 16, 2009 - The former commander of British forces in Afghanistan upset the Arab sponsors of today's U.N. special session when his expert testimony contradicted the thesis of the Goldstone Report. "Mr. President, based on my knowledge and experience, I can say this: During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli Defence Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare," said. Col. Richard Kemp. Seee full text below.

UN Watch Oral Statement
UN Human Rights Council, 12th Special Session
Geneva, 16 October 2009

Delivered by Col. Richard Kemp

Thank you, Mr. President.

I am the former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan. I served with NATO and the United Nations; commanded troops in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Macedonia; and participated in the Gulf War. I spent considerable time in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, and worked on international terrorism for the UK Government's Joint Intelligence Committee.

Mr. President, based on my knowledge and experience, I can say this: During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli Defence Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.

Read the rest of the testimony Or watch it in the video below:

See also our other item about Col. Kemp's opinion during the Gaza Operation "Cast Lead".