Wednesday 23 June 2010

Israel pressures UN to block Freedom Flotilla investigation committee



[ 22/06/2010 - 07:25 PM ]

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) is trying to dissuade the United Nations from its plan to form an international committee to investigate the Israeli massacre committed in international waters against activists on board the Freedom Flotilla, which left dozens dead and injured.

Israeli war minister Ehud Barak appealed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to reverse plans to establish an independent international investigation commission.

He stated during his visit to the United States of America, "We must put plans for an independent investigation committee aside, so as to enable the Israeli commission to continue its work."

Barak alleged that relevant parties who granted permits to the international ships bound for the Gaza Strip "lacked responsibility".

He persisted in Israel’s challenge of international law by threatening that his government will obstruct the path of these ships again and prohibit passengers from reaching their destination.

On the other hand, the Israeli government launched a major diplomatic campaign primarily aimed at preventing vessels sent to break the siege imposed on Gaza from reaching the Gaza Strip, by exercising international pressure on countries from the ports of which ships may depart.

Hebrew media sources said that official Israeli authorities are putting their greatest efforts "to prevent more ships from heading to the Gaza Strip." The campaign included a threat that countries from the ports of which ships depart will take responsibility for their position.

The sources stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman and Barak, "are conducting a series of phone calls with leaders from around the world, particularly in the European continent, to assure their interlocutors that there is no reason for aid ships, since the Gaza Strip - according to their claims – is not suffering a humanitarian crisis!

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

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