Military audit clears soldiers in Gaza flotilla raid

[bemildred]

Reporting from Jerusalem — As Israel faces the prospect of another aid-supply ship trying to break its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, a military audit released Monday into the deadly raid of a previous flotilla found mistakes but no negligence on the part of soldiers and commanders.

The military commission, created after Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists aboard the Mavi Marmara, concluded what most Israelis and international observers already suspected: Soldiers were ill-prepared to confront an angry mob and resorted to live fire to regain control of the situation.

In its report, the commission found "no failure, but mistakes" and did not recommend disciplinary action against any individuals.

"To my relief, the investigation found no negligence or failures on any significant matters," said retired Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, Israel's former National Security Council director who led the internal military probe into the May 31 raid.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-flotilla-report-20100713,0,6498447.story

[uppityperson]

1. Gee, what a surprise. Investigate yourself and you find, to your relief, no negligence or failures

[bemildred]

2. Well, a few dead people, but nothing significant. nt

[uppityperson]

3. well, they probably deserved it anyway.

:sarcasm: just in case

[Jefferson23]

4. I'm glad that's all settled. I guess Israel is ready for the next round.

from your OP:
The military commission's finding comes as another Gaza-bound ship is heading toward Israel. Sailing under a Moldovan flag, the ship left Greece on Saturday carrying 2,000 tons of food and medicine. The trip was organized by the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, headed by Seif Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan ruler.

Amid conflicting reports about whether the ship will attempt to dock in Gaza or agree to be diverted to Egypt, Israel's navy has been on high alert and has vowed to seize the ship if it attempts to break the blockade.





Court hints at more Turkel power

snip* Last week, the government agreed to expand the powers of the commission to include the right to subpoena witnesses, order them to bring documents or other evidence before the commission, have them testify under oath and the right to question witnesses abroad.

However, the commission’s added prerogatives do not include the right to question soldiers and security officers.

In its response, the state argued that there is also a military committee, headed by Maj.- Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland, which was appointed to conduct an investigation of the operational aspects of the seizure of the Mavi Marmara and six other boats headed for the Gaza Strip.

The Turkel Commission will be given the summaries of all the investigations conducted by the Eiland Committee. If it feels it needs more information, it is entitled to ask the Eiland Committee to investigate the soldiers and security officers to obtain the information it needs.




http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=181174