I wish to raise two or three matters. An amendment to Senator Norris's original motion has been tabled in my name and that of Deputy Timmins which seeks to deal with the matter without featuring the various allegations made by both sides in order that the motion cannot be used to cast stones but to ensure any violation of international humanitarian law is fully investigated. The motion seeks to detail the matters in question but in so doing so it should not exclude other issues. I suggest a particular amendment which would ensure a balance was achieved.
As indicated on line 11 of the motion, each side is making allegations against the other. The motion urges that "the independent international investigation also investigate the indiscriminate rocket attacks on civilians perpetrated by Hamas and others" but I suggest inserting the words "the alleged use of civilians as human shields", a matter of some controversy, but, if excluded, would mean the motion was unbalanced as regards the allegations made by each side.
The motion also mentions "the alleged storage of munitions in civilian locations", which may or may not be correct but should form part of the motion. Part of the allegation, however, is that munitions were not only stored in civilian locations but also in mosques. Therefore, the words "and mosques" should be included. Will Deputy Woods confirm whether the reference to civilian locations includes the possibility that hospitals were also used?
The other matter which seems to be excluded is the firing of rockets adjacent to UN facilities such as schools and hospitals, as well as on civilians. All these matters are the subject of cross-allegations and it is important we do not leave out some, as each side could raise other issues which should be investigated. For the sake of balance, it is important the matters I have raised are included.