State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss is expected to sharply criticize the prime
minister and defense minister on Wednesday, in a long-awaited report on the May
2010 Gaza flotilla incident and the National Security Council.
On May 31,
2010, the IDF seized control of six vessels en route to Gaza to break Israel’s
naval blockade of the Hamas-controlled strip. Around 600 flotilla protesters
sailed on the Mavi Marmara, specially purchased by the Hamas-linked Turkish
Islamic group IHH.
The IDF encountered severe violence from the Mavi
Marmara passengers, nine of whom were killed in the ensuing
clash.
Several IDF soldiers were also injured. The flotilla incident
severely damaged Israel’s relations with Turkey.
Lindenstrauss’s report
is expected to examine the way decisions were made at the most senior political
and defense levels regarding the flotilla.
The second part of the report
is expected to examine the National Security Council (NSC).
Established
by government decree in 1999, the NSC is intended to act as a headquarters for
the prime minister and his government regarding national security
issues.
In 2008, the Knesset passed the National Security Council Act,
which sets out the NSC’s roles, and states that the head of the NSC will serve
as a national security consultant and that the prime minister is responsible for
implementing the act.