Netanyahu defends raid on Gaza flotilla

ISRAEL’S prime minister defended the deadly commando raid on an international flotilla protesting the Gaza blockade before an internal inquiry commission yesterday, suggesting that Turkey had sought theviolent confrontation on the high seas.

Benjamin Netanyahu told the commission that Ankara had rejected Israel’s prior appeals to halt the flotilla and refused to intervene despite the prospect of violence between Israeli troops and the Turkish Islamic charity that organised the mission.

“As we got closer to the date it became clear our diplomatic efforts would not stop it,” Netanyahu said. “Apparently, the government of Turkey did not see potential friction between Turkish activists and Israel as something that goes against its interests.”