Barak: Israel won’t assist war crimes probe

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JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel will not cooperate with a United Nations team that has begun looking into possible war crimes committed during Israel’s military operation in Gaza, Ehud Barak said.

During a visit to New York Monday,  Israel’s defense minister told U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Israel did not approve of the mandate to investigate war crimes given to the team.

The team, headed by South African judge Richard Goldstone, entered Gaza Monday via Egypt.

Israel has said it does not believe the investigation, which is looking into possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas, will be objective.

Goldstone reportedly said the team will remain in the area for a week and file a report with the U.N. Security Council in August.

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