Many Jews regard Justice Richard Goldstone's decision to chair the UN mission as an act of intellectual courage.

I f your readers think I am exaggerating , let them consider this extract from a statement issued by the Israeli Centre for Human Rights (B'Tselem) and reported in the Jerusalem Post: "It is absurd to talk about Goldstone, a lifelong Zionist and Jew and supporter of Israel, as someone with a bias against Israel. We can continue to shoot the messenger and bury our heads in the sand or we can initiate a genuine process of truth-telling and taking responsibility."