(JPOST).Ahead of Wednesday's UN Security Council debate set to be used by Palestinian diplomats and representatives of Arab states to press for action on the Goldstone Report, Defense Minister Ehud Barak held a series of phone conversations with world statesmen and diplomats in a bid to convince them not to adopt the findings of the report, which accuses Israel of committing war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza last winter.
Among others, Barak spoke with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, British Foreign Minister David Miliband, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
The Defense Ministry said Wednesday that in the previous night's conversations, Barak said, "The Goldstone Report is false, twisted, biased and supports terror."
"Adopting the report will likely give encouragement to terror organizations across the world," he reportedly added. "Democratic nations must understand that adopting the report will severely impair their ability to fight terror."
Israel's ambassador to the UN in New York, Gabriela Shalev, is expected to address the council during its monthly debate on the Middle East.
Among others, Barak spoke with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, British Foreign Minister David Miliband, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
The Defense Ministry said Wednesday that in the previous night's conversations, Barak said, "The Goldstone Report is false, twisted, biased and supports terror."
"Adopting the report will likely give encouragement to terror organizations across the world," he reportedly added. "Democratic nations must understand that adopting the report will severely impair their ability to fight terror."
Israel's ambassador to the UN in New York, Gabriela Shalev, is expected to address the council during its monthly debate on the Middle East.