On Wednesday the United Nations Security Council will discuss the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Top of the agenda will be the critically important UN report by Justice Richard Goldstone on Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year.

The report presents evidence that both Israel and Palestinian armed groups committed serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the fighting, some of which should be prosecuted as war crimes. It calls on both sides to conduct impartial investigations and prosecute those found responsible. It challenges the international community to break with past practice and take bold steps towards peace.