ICC declines to prosecute Israel for 2010 flotilla raid

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court has decided not to prosecute Israel for war crimes committed when Israeli Defense Forces raided a Turkish aid flotilla in 2010.

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda issued a statement Thursday explaining that while "there is a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court... were committed on one of the vessels, the Mavi Marmara... the potential case(s) likely arising from an investigation in this incident would not be of 'sufficient gravity' to justify further action by the ICC."

According to the Rome Statute, "the ICC shall prioritize war crimes committed on a large scale or pursuant to a plan or policy," a requirement Fatou said was not met with the case of the flotilla.

The case was referred to the ICC by the Comoros on May 14, 2013.

The 2010 incident occurred when Israeli Defense Forces intercepted the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla," comprised of six ships, 80 miles off the coast of Israel on May 31. Pro-Palestinian Turkish activists aboard claimed they were trying to deliver aid to Palestinians. Clashes broke out and nine Turkish citizens were killed. A United Nations panel in 2011 determined Israel's use of force that resulted in the loss of life was "excessive and unreasonable."