UN report concludes that blockade of Gaza is legal but criticizes raid on Flotilla

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2-9-2011
The nine people killed by Israel.'Forensic evidence showing that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range..'

The New York Times on Thursday obtained the so-called Palmer-report, called after a panel of the UN Secretary General, about the Israeli attack on the Free Gaza Flotilla and specifically its flagship the Mavi Marmara on 31 May 2010. During tis attack nine people were killed.

The content of the report is somewhat shocking, because it said that Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is both legal and appropriate. At the other hand however,  it found that the way Israeli forces boarded the vessels trying to break that blockade 15 months ago was excessive and unreasonable.
The report, expected to be released Friday, also found that when Israeli commandos boarded the main ship, they faced “organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers” and were therefore required to use force for their own protection. But the report called the force “excessive and unreasonable,” saying that the loss of life was 'unacceptable' and that the Israeli military’s later treatment of passengers was 'abusive'.

“Forensic evidence showing that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range has not been adequately accounted for in the material presented by Israel,” it says.  The report also criticizes Israel’s subsequent treatment of the passengers, saying it “included physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and the denial of timely consular assistance.”
Th report was completed months ago, but its publication was delayed two times by Israel with Turkey's consent, in order to give more time for attempts to reconcile the two countries. Israel recently asked for another postponement of six months, but that was refused by Turkey, that said that Israel apparently could not make up its mind about te apologies and the payment of compensation to the victims as Turkey repeatedly had demanded.

The real surprise of the report is of course the conclusion that Israel's naval blockade was legal and the action against the Flotilla justified, although not the way in which it was executed. The Palmer panel does not provide any legal basis for these contentions. An earlier report, by a commision of legal experts which was  commissioned by the Human Rights Council of the UN and published in September 2010, concluded that both the blockade and Israel's assault  were illegal.  

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	Reactie van Paul Lamp	datum: 2011-09-02 22:34:06
Van belang is ook om dit gehele artikel van de bron: Abu Pesoptimist te lezen. Turkije gaat ermee terecht naar het Internationaal Gerechtshof, daar het rapport van de VN de blokkade van Gaza niet illegaal vindt.