Israeli Panel Rules Flotilla Raid Legal

[oberliner]

JERUSALEM — An Israeli commission that examined the deadly raid on a flotilla off Gaza last May concluded on Sunday that Israel had acted in accordance with international law when its military enforced its naval blockade by intercepting the ships in international waters.

The commission alluded to what it called “the regrettable consequences of the loss of human life and physical injuries,” — nine pro-Palestinian campaigners were killed and more than 50 were wounded during clashes on a Turkish vessel that was attempting to breach the blockade. But the commission found that Israeli soldiers had acted “professionally and in a measured manner in the face of extensive and unanticipated violence.”

The first part of the commission’s report, published on Sunday, dealt with the legality of the imposition of the naval blockade and its enforcement. It was to be presented to a United Nations panel formed to look into the raid and led by a former New Zealand prime minister, Geoffrey Palmer.

A second part, dealing with the mechanism in Israel for investigating complaints and claims regarding violations of the laws of armed conflict, will be published at a later date.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/middleeast/24mideast.html?src=twrhp

[Tesha]

1. "But of course." (NT)

[Lars77]

2. Great news for Somali pirates.

Murder in international waters is now legal.

The execution of an injured American citizen lying on deck with a shot to the head? No problem.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

3. Israel denies wrongdoing by Israel.

If a commission that wouldn't say this if it were not true says it, I'll take some note.

[Alamuti Lotus]

4. they investigated themselves and found no wrongdoing? shocking developments..

Perhaps the US Army should do the same in Iraq and Afghanistan -- oh wait, that's happening too.

What's interesting is that the zionist state thought a naval blockade was good enough reason to invade Egypt, Jordan, and Syria back in the day... but it is no causis belli for any conflict now; consistency in rhetoric is appreciated, but not expected.