Devoid factual basis. Lador
Photo: George Ginsberg
State: Petitions over raid of Gaza flotilla biased
Human rights groups file High Court petition claiming Israeli army's raid violated international law. State prosecutor argues to the contrary, says petition is 'baseless and mendacious'
State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and several senior officials at the State Prosecutor's Office filed a State's rebuttal concerning a High Court petition filed by human rights group against the military's takeover of the Gaza aid flotilla, Monday.
Tuesday's rebuttal was meant to counter claims that the Israel Defense Forces violated International Law by raiding the Marmara.
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The State asked the High Court to dismiss the petition, claiming it was biased, devoid of factual basis and slanderous against the State.
"One wonders where to begin when refuting such a biased, baseless and mendacious display of facts," said the State's motion.
Legally speaking, the rebuttal also claimed that the petition was blatantly oblivious to International Law, which allows imposing maritime blockades and seizing vessels which attempt to breach it.
Lador claimed that all of Israel's actions in regards to the sail complied with international law in full.
The Gaza flotilla, said the state prosecutor, "was 'marketed' as humanitarian aid, but its motives were different. The organizers rejected Israel's offer to transport any aid supplies to Gaza through Israel.
"Moreover, the activists' violent 'welcome' placed IDF soldiers in clear danger, forcing them to defend themselves."
Lador also met a petition demanding the immediate release of flotilla detainees, one demanding they be allowed to meet with lawyers, and a third asking Israel release the names of the nine individuals killed in the raid.
The identity of the fatalities, he said, was still being ascertained. As for the demands to allow the detainees to meet with lawyers, Lador said it was unclear which legal source was used to cite the demand.
