Richard Goldstone, a South African Jewish judge, was appointed by President of the UN Human Rights Council Martin Uhomoibhi on Friday to play the leading role in a probe into alleged Israeli war crimes during the three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip. Goldstone said he was 'shocked, as a Jew' to be invited to head the mission. Israel has previously rejected human rights investigations on the grounds that the Human Rights Council is biased.

The decision has raised fears of Palestinian refusal to cooperate on the issue. Reacting to the UN decision, Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha protested the move and expressed concern about the impartiality of a mission led by a Jewish judge. "As the head of the investigation committee is a Jew, it is clear that he will not support the Palestinian nation and its cause. He will undoubtedly work in the interest of the Zionist enemy," Taha told Arabic media on Saturday.