Responding to mixed messages from the Prime Minister’s Office, Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday evening released a statement that there will not be a probe of IDF officers or soldiers in response to the Goldstone Report.

The PM’s Office released a statement that the prime minister has instructed a team to evaluate the Goldstone Report and advise him as how to respond. Barak stated that his decision is final and he will not expose the IDF to any probe. The prime minister’s team consists of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, IDF Judge Advocate General Major-General Avichai Mandelblitt, a legal expert from the Foreign Ministry and Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser.

After formulating an opinion, the team will submit its recommendation to the prime minister, defense minister and Justice Minister Prof. Yaakov Ne’eman.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)