Experts mock Israeli inquiry into attack on flotilla

[Ed Barrow]

Israeli legal experts have poured scorn on a proposed inquiry to examine the military raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla last week that resulted in the deaths of nine people. After a marathon meeting of his inner cabinet on Monday that approved the inquiry's parameters, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was awaiting the agreement of the US President, Barack Obama, before making an official announcement.

Media reports said the panel would include several leading Israeli maritime law experts and two foreign observers, but would have no power to compel witnesses to appear, and its findings would have no legal effect. Nor would it be allowed to interrogate any of the soldiers or officers who took part in the commando raid.

A leading Israeli jurist, Amnon Rubinstein, who is among those approached to be a part of the inquiry, denounced the decision not to appoint a formal commission of inquiry.

''There is coffee without caffeine and there is an investigative committee without an investigation,'' Professor Rubinstein said yesterday.

''When you don't investigate, it's not an investigative committee. I think that only a legal investigative committee, according to the law with full powers, the exact opposite of what the Defence Minister wants, can help Israel.''


http://www.smh.com.au/world/experts-mock-israeli-inquiry-into-attack-on-flotilla-20100608-xtn6.html

[Ken Burch]

1. Well, is there any reason why anybody would TRUST such an investigation?

Or, for that matter, anything the Israeli government ever says again?

[BlackMagic]

2. I fail to see how a self inquiry would cary much weight with the world populace. eom