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Turkel Commission in action
Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO
Mossad Chief Dagan. 'Material on its way'
Photo: Gil Yohanan

After rebuke, Mossad to hand material to Turkel

In rare move, commission probing Navy raid on Gaza-bound flotilla sends letter to secret service director, says 'despite our continued requests, the material hasn't been sent to us. We will consider taking disciplinary measures'

The Turkel Commission is baring its teeth. In a rare statement issued by the commission of inquiry probing the Israel Navy's flotilla raid, the panel of legalists wrote that it is considering taking measures against the Mossad chief after continued requests that the intelligence agency hand over material on the affair have gone unanswered.

 

Less than an hour after receiving the request, the Prime Minister's Office responded that the material will indeed be transferred to the commission by Tuesday morning at the latest.

 

Attorney Hosea Gottlieb contacted Mossad Chief Major-General (res.) Meir Dagan on Monday. A letter sent to Dagan's office reads, "Despite continued requests both in writing and over the telephone, the material has not been produced. The commission will be forced to consider the measures it believes should be taken as a result."

 

Dagan is slated to testify before the Turkel Commission on Tuesday behind closed doors.

 

According to the law on public committees, the Mossad is obligated to hand over the requested material to the commission. The commission, on the other hand, has no practicable means to take action against Mossad, which has responded in the meantime that the "material is on its way." However, the commission can forward the issue to the attorney general.

 

On Sunday, the commission contacted the Turkish embassy in Israel with a request to summon the Marmara crew to testify before the commission in order to hear his version of the events that transpired on the ship. It remains unclear whether the crew will come to Israel to testify.

 

National Security Council Chief Uzi Arad testified before the commission on Monday. Two weeks ago, COGAT Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot issued his testimony. Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Avihai Mandelblit and Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland, who led the IDF probe into the flotilla raid, testified before the commission last month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi have all testified before the commission as well.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.13.10, 19:02
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