Report: IDF reps were banned from pre-raid discussions
Army Radio says Defense Ministry prevented army officials from participating in National Security Council meeting held three weeks prior to deadly commando takeover of Gaza-bound ship. Barak aide: Meeting just one of many
Additional details regarding the Israeli government's mishandling of the flotilla affair are being revealed. Army Radio reported Wednesday that the Defense Ministry refused to allow IDF representatives to take part in a meeting held by the National Security Council in preparation for last week's deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound ship, which left nine people dead.
According to the report, the said meeting was held three weeks before the naval raid and focused on its possible outcomes. The discussion was held without the participation of representatives of IDF Intelligence, the Navy or the army's Spokesperson's Unit.
In response, the National Security Council sent Defense Minister Ehud Barak a scathing letter saying its authority had been undermined.
The Defense Ministry confirmed that IDF officials were not present at the meeting. Barak's media advisor said the meeting was just one of many, adding that army officials were absent due to "procedural" reasons.
On Tuesday Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Ya'alon admitted the raid was a failure, saying that "in a place where citations should have been given, someone failed to prepare a standard operating procedure."
Ya'alon served as acting prime minister at the time of the operation due to the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on an official visit to Canada.
A senior IDF official said in response to the remarks that "since Ya'alon was the acting prime minister at the time of the incident, he is responsible.
"If there wasn't a standard operating procedure, why didn't he make sure there was one? Why didn't he hold a consultation several hours after the flotilla incident and send the ministers to give interviews to the press? He was the acting prime minister and it was his responsibility.
The official added, "Ya'alon could have ensured what the army had and what it didn't have before the operation, and his remarks are an attempt to shirk responsibility ahead of the commission of inquiry.
