U.S.: International probe into Gaza flotilla raid is 'essential'

[Barack_America]

Source: Ha'aretz

Echoing countless calls on Israel to subject itself to an international investigation of the events that led up to the deaths of nine Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid ship last week, the U.S. on Tuesday demanded that some international body be involved in the probe of the events.

<snip>

"International participation in investigating these matters will be important to the credibility that everybody wants to see," said U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley on Tuesday. "We are discussing with Israel and others the prospective nature of international participation in the investigation. And we're sharing different ideas on how to best accomplish that."

"We want to see an impartial, credible, prompt, thorough investigation. We recognize that international participation, which lends itself to countries and entities being able to vouch for the results of the investigation - will be an essential element to putting this tragedy behind us," he went on to say.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Netanyahu demanded that he and his forum of seven senior ministers be allowed to testify before the investigation committee that will be established, comprised of Israeli jurists, and said that he and his top ministers would supply any future committee with all the required information.

In drafting the guidelines for the future investigation, Netanyahu insisted that Israel Defense Forces soldiers will not be personally interrogated, and asked that the investigation committee use instead the findings of internal military investigations already conducted. Netanyahu added that IDF Chief of Staff would testify.

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-international-probe-into-gaza-flotilla-raid-is-essential-1.294978

[Wizard777]

1. Finally a little Sanity creeps out of the State Department.

Now what if they say, No? Is this all carrot and no stick?

[Cass]

2. This is a change. Last I read they were looking for an Israeli-led investigation with the US

acting as overseer which was kind of ridiculous.

[peacebird]

3. Israel helpfully offers "the findings of internal military investigations already conducted" instead

of interviews with IDF soldiers or independent investigation.

:eyes:

[Scurrilous]

4. Feinstein Calls for Inquiry Into Israeli Raid on Aid Flotilla

<snip>

"In a significant departure from most of her colleagues, Sen. Dianne Feinstein called Tuesday for an “impartial inquiry” into the Israeli commando raid on a humanitarian flotilla carrying aid to the Gaza Strip that left nine activists dead, including one American.

The California Democrat, one of Israel’s most dependable supporters on Capitol Hill, also urged Israel to “reassess” its “forced isolation” of the Gaza Strip and allow more humanitarian assistance and other materials to reach its beleaguered Palestinian population.

“There should be an impartial inquiry to determine exactly what took place,” Feinstein said in a statement, referring to the May 31 raid, which has drawn widespread international condemnation."

<snip>

"The call by Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and commands respect as a moderate voice on foreign and national security affairs, stands in sharp contrast to those of most other lawmakers, who have sided with Israel in the incident. Most have affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and accused the activists aboard the flotilla of deliberately provoking a confrontation.

Feinstein’s call for an impartial inquiry into the incident and an easing of the Gaza blockade are far more in line with the approach favored by President Obama and his top foreign policy aides, who have made similar calls."

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000003678545

[Barack_America]

5. Wow.

That's significant.

+1