Israel rejects U.N. Council probe

JERUSALEM, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the U.N. Human Rights Council's report on Israel's raid on a Gaza aid flotilla in May biased and politicized.

"The Human Rights Council blamed Israel prior to the investigation and it is no surprise that they condemn after," said Andy David, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, the daily Haaretz reported Thursday.

The council, in a 56-page report released Wednesday, concluded the Israeli-imposed blockade of Gaza is illegal because of the humanitarian crisis, and said Israeli troops who "demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence" and "an unacceptable level of brutality" in the May 31 flotilla raid.

The council said it conducted interviews with more than 100 witnesses in Geneva, London, Istanbul and Amman.

Nine Turkish activists were killed aboard the Mavi Marmara, one of the boats participating in the flotilla.

Israel said troops met with an unprecedented level of violence and were attacked by activists. Several soldiers were shot and some were thrown to lower decks before troops opened fire.

"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 report said.

The council said it had received no evidence to support Israel's claims that some of the soldiers participating in the raid were shot.

Israel refused to cooperate with the human rights council panel, preferring instead to work with the investigation initiated by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Members of the team include former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. They have yet to publish their findings.

The council concluded Israel had committed "several violations and offenses," and stated there "is clear evidence to support prosecutions" for willful killing and "causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health."

Israel also conducted two internal investigations led by international experts and a separate military inquiry.