Defense Minister Barak. Staying in Israel
Photo: Matti Elmaliach
Barak staying out of France because of flotilla
Defense Ministry reports that Barak will remain in Israel until team of experts investigating flotilla raid announced. Over weekend, sail participants declared intention to sue defense minister
Defense Minister Ehud Barak unexpectedly announced Sunday morning that he will not be traveling to Paris for the international military exhibition, Eurosatory.
The Defense Ministry reported that Minister Barak decided to remain in Israel until the team of experts investigating the raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla is announced.
Over the weekend, French activists who took part in the flotilla to the Gaza Strip announced that they intend to file a lawsuit against Barak both in France and in the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Three members of French parliament have joined the effort.
Barak was slated to leave Sunday morning for an official two-day visit to Paris, where he would inaugurate the Israeli booth at the international military exhibition and meet with defense and foreign ministers.
On Friday, political officials said that Barak had no intention of canceling his trip, and that the legal department of the Foreign Ministry along with others in the judicial system were taking action to provide him with adequate defense should the case indeed be filed. However, at the last minute, Barak did indeed decide to cancel.
Regarding his previous visit to Paris, Barak was harshly criticized by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss regarding his delegation's extravagant hotel expenses at the Paris Air Show in 2009.
