Human Rights Council backs flotilla probe report

UNHRC votes in favor of endorsing the conclusions of the inquiry which concluded that Israel violated international law.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, AP
Mavi Marmara 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Mavi Marmara 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
The United Nations Human Rights Council voted on Wednesday in favor of endorsing the conclusions of the report released earlier this month concluding that Israeli forces violated international law when they raided a Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship killing nine activists earlier this year.
The resolution, tabled on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, was approved with 30 votes in favor, one against and 15 abstentions.
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The 56-page document lists a series of alleged crimes committed by Israeli forces during and after the raid, including willful killing and torture, and claims there is "clear evidence to support prosecutions."
"A series of violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, were committed by the Israeli forces during the interception of the flotilla and during the detention of passengers in Israel prior to deportation," the experts found.
Examining the circumstances of the raid, the panel concluded that a humanitarian crisis existed in Gaza on the day of the incident in Gaza and "for this reason alone the blockade is unlawful and cannot be sustained in law."
"The conduct of the Israeli military and other personnel toward the flotilla passengers was not only disproportionate to the occasion but demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence. It betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality," the report said.