The Turkel Committee: Who was responsible for the violence?

Just Journalism
10 August '10

Following the incident on the Mavi Marmara, where nine Turkish activists were killed during violence clashes with the Israel Defence Force, Israel commissioned several inquiries to investigate what had happened. Following an internal military inquiry, which found that the IDF soldiers acted in a professional manner but were remiss in not anticipating a confrontation, the Turkel Committee is now investigating whether both the military operation to prevent the Mavi Marmara and five other ships from breaking the Gaza blockade, and the Gaza blockade itself, are legal under international law.

Headed by a retired judge from the Israeli Supreme Court, Jacob Turkel, and monitored by two international delegates, the Committee yesterday took evidence from Benyamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister’s appearance was covered in all five of the broadsheets, with notable differences in emphasis in all the outlets. In particular, there were varying accounts given of the violence that occurred on the ship, and who was responsible for instigating it.



How was the violence described?

Israel has always maintained that its soldiers only resorted to lethal fire after being assaulted by armed activists who had planned a violent confrontation. Video footage was released that supports its claim that its soldiers were attacked as soon as they descended onto the Mavi Marmara, and shows passengers stating that they wished to become ‘martyrs.’

(Read full report)

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