Despite bias and scandals, Human Rights Watch “halo effect” continues: "Unlawful destruction" in Gaza

NGO Monitor
17 May '10

On May 13, 2010, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its seventh report on the Gaza war, “‘I Lost Everything.’” The 116-page report focuses on alleged IDF destruction of civilian property, using this to promote the Goldstone report and to renew boycott calls against Israel.

While some major media outlets such as the New York Times and news services ignored the report, reflecting HRW’s bias and loss of credibility, others repeated the allegations without independent verification. Headlines based on the report reflect this – for example, “Human Rights Watch say destruction in Gaza 'unlawful'‎” (BBC) and “IDF wantonly destroyed homes during Gaza war” (Ha’aretz). An article by Beirut-based Michael Jansen (“Israel unlawfully destroyed Gaza property, says report”), who tends to reflect the Palestinian narrative, was published in the Irish Times.

HRW’s press release on the report accuses Israel of “collective punishment” and “systematic destruction,” in Gaza, and recommends prosecuting Israeli officials for war crimes, in step with the Goldstone campaign. Of nearly 4,000 alleged incidents, the report cited only 12 “where the evidence indicates that there was no lawful justification for the destruction of civilian property.” The allegations made on these 12 incidents are legally unfounded.

(Read full report)

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