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.”

The six-ship flotilla was trying to deliver aid to Gaza when it was intercepted by Israeli naval commandos. Encountering resistance on the Mavi Marmara, the troops opened fire, killing nine Turkish activists, one a dual American citizen.

The crackdown sparked international outcry and pressured Israel to loosen the blockade of Gaza.

The five-member Israeli commission, headed by a retired Supreme Court justice and joined by two foreign observers, including former UUP leader David Trimble, is examining the government’s decision-making leading up to the raid. It does not have the power to mete out punishment but it may be politically damaging for Netanyahu.

Israel’s defence minister and military chief of staff will also face the commission. The UN has announced its own inquiry.

Israel has released video footage showing the commandos being pummelled with wooden planks and metal rods as they landed on the ship. The activists said they acted in self-defence.

Netanyahu said he instructed the military to make every effort to avoid bodily harm to the protesters and contrasted these instructions with the activists, whom he quoted as saying that the “Jews need to go back to Auschwitz”.