BICOM

The United Nations’ Palmer Report into the incidents on board the Mavi Marmara ship in 2010 is due to be published today. However, the New York Times obtained a copy of the report, and published excerpts of it yesterday. On 31 May 2010, nine Turkish citizens were killed as they attempted to forcibly resist an IDF boarding of the ship, which was heading without authorisation to Gaza as part of a flotilla intended to break the Israeli blockade of the Hamas-ruled Strip. Following the events, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the UN would conduct an investigation of the incident. The report, which will be released later today, contains both an acceptance of the legality of Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, and some criticism of the Israel Defence Forces’ actions. The UN’s assessment on the blockade echoes an earlier Israeli inquiry, the Turkel Commission, and states the maritime closure of Gaza is consistent with international law and that Israeli forces have the right to stop vessels bound for Gaza in international waters.

The Palmer Report was also critical of the ‘reckless’ attempt by the flotilla organisers to breach the blockade, and noted that Israeli forces faced ‘organised and violent resistance from a group of passengers’ as they attempted to board the ship, and was therefore entitled to use force for their own protection. The report also raises questions regarding the ‘true nature and objectives of the flotilla organisers,’ in particularly the Turkish IHH group, an Islamist organisation to which many of those who attacked IDF troops on the ship belonged.

 

However, the report describes Israeli troops’ response on board the boat as ‘excessive’ and is critical of Israel’s treatment of passengers on the ship after it had been boarded. Treatment of the passengers, the report maintains, included ‘physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation.” It recommends that Israel pay compensation to the families of those killed aboard the ship, and issue an ‘appropriate statement of regret’ regarding the incidents.

The publication of the report was repeatedly delayed, reportedly to allow Israel and Turkey to continue reconciliation talks. During the course of the negotiations Israel agreed to express regret for the loss of life and to contribute to a compensation fund for the families. Turkey, however, rejected this formula, and is demanding a full apology from Israel. Israeli officials quoted this morning by Ynetnews, said that Israel had no intention of issuing an apology.

Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday that the issuing of the report would mark Israel’s final chance to apologise and failure to do so would have consequences. Davutoglu is heading back to Turkey from Paris today, and upon his arrival will convene a press conference in which he will outline Turkey’s response to the report. There is concern in Jerusalem that Turkey will downgrade the level of diplomatic representation and consider other ‘sanctions,’ which might include restricting trade relations.