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UN body backs anti-Israel flotilla report

Human Rights Council agrees to endorse damning report on Israel's lethal raid on Turkish ship

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday agreed to back a report which found "clear evidence" for legal action against Israel over its attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

 

The resolution, which was tabled by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, was approved with 30 votes in favor, one against and 15 abstentions.

 

It "endorses the conclusions contained in the report" of an inquiry ordered by the council on the May 31 incident during which nine Turkish nationals were killed when Israeli soldiers stormed ships heading to Gaza.

 

The damming report, compiled by three UN-appointed human rights experts, said that Israeli forces violated international law and showed "incredible violence" when they raided the Turkish Mavi Marma ship.

 

The UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding mission also concluded in a 56-page document that Israel's naval blockade of the Palestinian territory was unlawful because of the humanitarian crisis there, and described the military raid on the flotilla as brutal and disproportionate.

 

According to the UN probe, there is "clear evidence to support prosecutions" against Israel for "willful killing" and torture.

 

Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to the report

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.29.10, 17:14
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