Kuwait drops flotilla suit against Israel

Legal opinion warns Kuwaiti Justice Ministry that Israel may win case involving MPs arrested on board Marmara

Itamar Eichner|Published: 09.01.11 , 12:31

The Palmer Report examining events surrounding 2010's Gaza-bound flotilla has yet to be published but is already placing Israel at an advantage point.

Kuwait has recently withdrew a plan to file a lawsuit against Israel with the International Court of Justice over the arrest of Kuwaiti parliament members on board the Mavi Marmara last year, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.

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The original lawsuit was filed in Kuwaiti by parliament member Dr. Waleed AlـTabtabaie who was among the passengers on board the Marmara. He sued the Israeli government for assault and humiliation by IDF troops who raided the ship.

AlـTabtabaie demanded that the lawsuit be referred to the ICJ. The Kuwaiti Justice Ministry initially considered granting his motion, but eventually decided against it.

According to Kuwaiti press reports, a legal opinion warned the justice ministry that Israel stands to win such a suit as the Mavi Marmara broke international law by entering Israel's territorial waters without authorization.

Kuwait feared that losing the trial would result in her paying billions of dollars in compensation to Israel and therefore decided to scrap the lawsuit.