UN rights council heading for vote on Gaza war crimes report

UN rights council heading for vote on Gaza report

GENEVA — The U.N. Human Rights Council is heading for a showdown vote on a report accusing Israeli forces and Palestinian militants of war crimes during their conflict in Gaza last winter.

Diplomats in Geneva say there appears little willingness on either side to seek compromise on the Goldstone report.

The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The Palestinian Authority and its allies in the 47-nation council want the report endorsed and forwarded to the more powerful U.N. Security Council.

The move could ultimately lead to international proceedings against suspected war criminals for abuses of international law during the Dec. 27-Jan. 18 in which almost 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.