Posted on 08/09/2010 10:33:06 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Turkey of repeatedly ignoring Israeli advice that could have prevented the deaths of nine pro-Palestinian activists on board an aid ship trying to reach Gaza in May.
Testifying before a domestic inquiry into the incident, the Israeli prime minister claimed that the Turkish government should have heeded his demands to prevent the vessel from attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu said that his office had contacted Turkish ministers two weeks before the fatal confrontation on board the MV Mavi Marmara took place with alternative proposals, all of which were rejected.
"Despite our continuous diplomatic efforts, ultimately the Turkish government did not prevent the attempt by the Marmara to break the naval blockade," he said.
Mr Netanyahu was speaking as the first witness to give evidence before an Israeli state commission of inquiry established in the wake of the international furore that followed Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, led by the Mavi Marmara, on May 31.
Israeli naval commandos, who were lowered onto the ship's deck by helicopter, were given a violent reception by a group of activists brandishing clubs and knives.
In the ensuing melee, nine Turkish activists were shot and killed.
Mr Netanyahu stoutly defended the conduct of the operation before also laying blame for the incident on those in the international community who claimed there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
This "mendacious propaganda assault", he said, had given elements hostile to Israel the pretext to breach the blockade.
Since the confrontation, Mr Netanyahu has agreed to ease some of the restrictions on Gaza, which remains under control of Hamas, an Islamist group that has fired thousands of rockets into Israel.
Mr Netanyahu has also agreed to cooperate with UN inquiry into the incident.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
So turkey is now on the menu.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Turkey of repeatedly ignoring Israeli advice... the Israeli prime minister claimed that the Turkish government should have heeded his demands to prevent the vessel from attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza... his office had contacted Turkish ministers two weeks before the fatal confrontation on board the MV Mavi Marmara took place with alternative proposals, all of which were rejected... nine Turkish activists were shot and killed. [Prime Minister] Netanyahu stoutly defended the conduct of the operation before also laying blame for the incident on those in the international community who claimed there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza... has agreed to ease some of the restrictions on Gaza, which remains under control of Hamas, an Islamist group that has fired thousands of rockets into Israel... has also agreed to cooperate with UN inquiry into the incident.
Roast Turkey if it comes to it..
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