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Turkey Tries IDF Commanders in Absentia
Symbolic trial in Istanbul.
by Stephen Lendman
On May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos lawlessly interdicted Freedom Flotilla vessels in international waters. They were bringing humanitarian aid to besieged Gazans.
They attacked and murdered nine Turkish nationals aboard the Mavi Marmara mother ship. Dozens of others were wounded. Everyone on board was arrested, imprisoned in Israel for days, harshly treated, and summarily deported.
What happened was a well planned premeditated attack. Unarmed, nonviolent humanitarian activists were targeted. Cold-blooded murder followed.
In September 2010, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) issued damning findings. They described "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."Israel's interdiction was lawless "since there was no legal basis for the Israeli forces to conduct an assault and interception in international waters."
In doing so, Israel was "obligated" to respect international law and its own "international human rights obligations."
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