Richard Goldstone said he believes Russia, France and China will oppose having the report on Operation Cast Lead in Gaza debated in the UN Security Council.

In an interview to Aljazeera television, he said that while he is not an expert on the political power ties in the UN, he believes these three nations will refuse to move forward with the report.

He said the report could still be brought before the UN General Assembly, and added that if the UN refuses to discuss this report, it would be the end of UN involvement in international crises.

The South African Judge defended his report, which accuses both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes during the January offensive, and reiterated claims that it is an objective document.

Most of the report's accusations were directed at Israel.

Goldstone's comments come at a time when Israel is undergoing a diplomatic struggle aimed at minimizing damage caused by the report on the international front.

Alongside the PR campaign to be launched by Israeli representatives against the report, a security cabinet meeting on Wednesday raised the possibility of succumbing to international pressure and appointing an inquiry committee to probe the Gaza war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to formulate his position on the matter, while Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi have expressed their objection to such a probe.

However, the Justice Ministry, and the attorney general's office, are not ruling out the option.