Human Rights Council wants independent probe on flotilla

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution calling for an independent fact-finding mission into Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla. Member countries continued to attack Israel Wednesday during the second day of an emergency council meeting. Meeting in Geneva, the council approved a resolution that condemns Israel for its commandeering of the ships. The resolution also calls on Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza, according to reports.

The resolution is similar to one passed by the council following the one-month Gaza war in the winter of 2008-09 that led to the establishment of the Goldstone commission. On Tuesday, Israeli Ambassador Leshno Yaar told the council that the Israeli soldiers acted in self-defense, resorting to live fire after they were attacked by protesters on the Turkish ship Marmara. "The attack on the Israeli soldiers was beyond all doubt premeditated," he said.

Israel was justified under international law in acting against the flotilla, Yaar said, adding that the blockade in international waters was necessary and legal. Nine activists died in the rioting aboard the Marmara.


(2010-06-02 / Jewish Telegraphic Agency)