UN Security Council
Photo: Reuters
UN calls for impartial probe of flotilla clashes
Security Council calls for 'reliable' investigation, release of passengers imprisoned by Israel
The UN Security Council is calling for an impartial investigation of Israel's raid on
ships taking part in a flotilla to the Gaza Strip and condemning the "acts" that resulted in the loss of at least nine lives.
The council called for a "proper, reliable, independent, and transparent" probe, and demanded the release of the flotilla's passengers arrested by Israel.
Meanwhile
Ynet reporters
Soldiers, officers bring passengers of Marmara ship under arrest at Ashdod port, first questioning each separately and then transferring them to Beersheba Prison, where they receive toiletries, meal, and beds
After an emergency meeting and marathon negotiations, the 15 council members agreed early Tuesday on a presidential statement that was weaker than that initially demanded by the Palestinians, Arabs and Turkey.
They had called for condemnation of the attack by Israeli forces "in the strongest terms" and "an independent international investigation."
During Monday's meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called Israel's actions "murder committed by a state without any justification."
"We saw an act of barbarism in live footage and Israel's hands are covered with blood," he added.
The deputy head of Israel's mission to the United Nations, Dan Carmon, told the Security Council that "although portrayed in the media as a humanitarian mission delivering aid to Gaza, this flotilla was (not) a humanitarian mission".
"What kind of Humanitarian activists demand to bypass the United Nations, the Red Cross, and other internationally recognized agencies? What kind of peace activists use knives, clubs and other weapons to attack soldiers who board a ship in accordance with international law?" he asked.
"The answer is clear: they are not peace activists; they are not messengers of good will. They cynically use a humanitarian platform to send a message of hate and to implement violence."
