The United Nations General Assembly has begun debating the Goldstone Report in New York.

Arab delegates presented a resolution calling on UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon to act on Goldstone’s recommendations, which included referring Israel and Hamas to the International Court of Justice in the Hague if no action had been taken within six months.

More than 40 people are due to speak during the debate, which is expected to run until Thursday.

The UN General Assembly is likely to defer judgement on the report to the UN Security Council

Egypt’s UN ambassador Magued Abdel Aziz was the first to speak, arguing for Israel to launch its own investigation into Operation Cast Lead.

He will be followed by ambassadors from Senegal, Syria and a Swedish delegate, who will be speaking on behalf of the European Union.

After the EU delegate is heard, a speech will be made by Israel’s UN ambassador Gabriella Shalev.