Turkey Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has appeared to make remarks in response to Netanyahu’s statement in front of the Turkel Commission on Aug 9. Following claims that Turkey had repeatedly ignored warnings and appeals “at the highest level” to halt the flotilla, Davutoglu said that “Turkey has no responsibility in the attack on the flotilla,” and that Israel has a responsibility to apologize and compensate the nine Turkish families that suffered a loss due to the raid.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak came before the panel today saying that Israel had exhausted all other options before carrying out the raid. The full story from Haaretz can be found here.
***
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces accusations in the aftermath of the May 31 commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, part of a flotilla trying to bring humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Nine civilians aboard the Mavi Marmara were killed, others were injured, and several Israeli soldiers also were injured in the violent clash aboard the ship.
The flotilla incident is being investigated by an Israeli panel called the Turkel Commission, which is headed by former Supreme Court Justice Jacob Turkel. The commission was given the power to subpoena witnesses and receive sworn testimony, and hire outside experts in relevant fields. The panel cannot, however, subpoena IDF soldiers.
Netanyahu was the first witness to speak before the Israeli panel. He said that the Israeli commandos acted in accordance with international law and that the naval blockade of Gaza was a necessity. He also commended the troops in saying that the raid was an act of “rare courage” on their part in response to a real threat.
The flotilla was organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), and was comprised of six ships — totaling 718 passengers from 37 countries — all said to be carrying humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and construction materials. The flotilla aroused suspicion by refusing screening of their cargo by the Israeli government prior to delivery in Gaza.
At approximately 4:30 a.m. on May 31, an IDF special forces troop raided the MV Mavi Marmara, a passenger ship recently purchased by the IHH. During the raid, the soldiers killed nine activists, all associated with IHH. Several different firsthand accounts report Israeli troops opening fire before the passengers could react, while others report that passengers attacked IDF soldiers using metal objects.
All accounts agree that the soldiers began with paintballs, then escalated to rubber bullets, and finally to live ammunition.
Netanyahu was in the United States meeting with President Obama when the flotilla raid took place. When approached on the topic, Netanyahu immediately stated that Defense Minister Ehud Barak was in charge of the operation. According to the Jerusalem Post, Barak and Netanyahu did not speak of taking action in earlier meetings but instead discussed the media’s reaction to a hypothetical operation.
“Netanyahu’s testimony to the Turkel commission proves, once again, that there is no leadership,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s rival Kadima Party. “At the moment of truth, he put the blame on others and made the IDF into a punching-bag.”
In his testimony, Netanyahu added that two flotillas after May 31 were intercepted without problems. The PM’s entire statement to the panel can be found here.
