Accessibility links

Breaking News

Israeli Flotilla Inquiry to Question PM Netanyahu


The Israeli commission investigating last month's deadly naval raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla plans to summon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to testify.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Jacob Turkel, who is leading the inquiry commission, said Monday Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi will also be called to appear before the panel.

The group is investigating the events leading up to the deaths of eight Turks and one Turkish-American on a ship trying to break the three-year-old Gaza blockade.

The investigation commission, which began work Monday, includes two other Israelis -- an international law expert and a former general.

Under international pressure, the Israeli government also included two foreign observers on the panel -- David Trimble, a Nobel peace laureate and Northern Ireland politician, and Canada's former chief military prosecutor, General Ken Watkin.

Trimble said all the panel members are determined to make the inquiry rigorous and hope it will contribute to peace.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG