02 September, 2011

UN Report on the Mavi Marmara Out Tomorrow

BuJ posted about this when it happened (and no post since then has gotten as many comments as that post), and now, more than a year later, the UN is releasing its official report on the incident. The whole report can be found here at the New York Times, and a summary story here from the same source.

Among the findings:

  • "Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is both legal and appropriate" and "in keeping with international law and that its forces have the right to stop Gaza-bound ships in international waters"

  • "The way Israeli forces boarded the vessels ... was excessive and unreasonable."

  • "When Israeli commandos boarded the main ship, they faced “organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers” and were therefore required to use force for their own protection"

  • Recommends that "Israel make 'an appropriate statement of regret' and pay compensation"


(All quotes from NYT article, not UN report).

As I noted, there were a lot of very strong opinions about the legality of the interception and blockade at that time. Just curious if this info changes anyone's mind.

1 comment:

manavatty said...

Legality or otherwise can be debated endlesssly. When force is used in self-defence, whether it was "excessive" or not is a matter of anyone's opinion.

The only useful thing that can be asked of someone giving his opinion--on any matter--is:

What would you have done in that situation?

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