By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The UN Palmer Report was made public yesterday. The report was very critical of Turkey and of the Flotilla organizers, calling them totally irresponsible. It was also duly critical of Israel.
After reading all 105 pages, I can safely say that although I disagree with several of the points within the Palmer Report, the report was honest and even handed.
The report reads: "the flotilla acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade."
"Israel's decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable."
"This included physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and the denial of timely consular assistance."
And then the report advises that Israel should pay and express regret.
"An appropriate statement of regret should be made by Israel in respect of the incident in light of its consequences."
"Israel should offer payment for the benefit of the deceased and injured victims and their families, to be administered by the two governments through a joint trust fund of a sufficient amount to be decided by them."
Both the Israeli and Turkish representative were given a one page limit on which to respond.
Mr J. Ciechanover, the Israeli on the committee, disagreed with several findings. The Turkish representative, Mr S. O. Sanberk, was far more direct. He wrote : "I reject and dissociate myself from the relevant parts and paragraphs of the report, as reflected in paragraphs ii, iv, v, vii of the findings contained in the summary of the report and paragraphs ii, iv, v, vii, viii and ix of the recommendations contained in the same text."
The Palmer Report offers suggestions on how to progress from here. They recommend a committee to help move things along.
Interestingly Israel has already offered regrets ... Turkey wants a full blown apology.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Indeed. It can be said that the report's own admission regarding the violent nature of some of those passengers associated with the IHH is the very reason for Israel's military response -- even if it is labeled "excessive". But who can know whether one is being excessive during a spontaneous operation like this until after the fact? (Not even the US in Iraq or Afghanistan could.) Given that the report admits to some passengers being an organized group armed with metal pipes (and the video clearly shows them striking Israeli soldiers roping down the ship), it should not be surprising that this had to be responded to militarily. In any case, the overall report is much more damning and embarrassing to Turkey, which is why they go so angry by expelling the Israeli ambassador.
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