Israel rejects any investigations that would include its naval commandos

A source in the office of Israel’s Defence Minister has said that Ehud Barak is refusing to consider any investigation into the Freedom Flotilla attack which would require the commandos involved to be cross-examined.

Hebrew radio quoted the anonymous source saying, “Barak would agree to form an investigative committee to probe into the flotilla raid provided that it would not engage with his officers and soldiers of his army.” He would also, it is claimed, agree to include an observer on behalf of the international community on the committee if there is no other way to put this incident to rest.

Last week, the UN Security Council urged the Jewish state to set up an international fact-finding commission to probe into the facts surrounding the attack on the flotilla. However, Israel’s Defence Minister rejected the demand and called for an internal Israeli commission; this was in turn rejected by Turkey and a number of human rights and aid organizations.