A UN-mandated inquiry into a deadly Israeli raid on a Turkish-led aid flotilla to Gaza in 2010 said Israel’s action was “excessive”. The report, which has not yet been officially released amid a dispute between Israel and Turkey, said however that Israel’s blockade of Gaza is legal. Eight Turkish nationals and an American of Turkish descent died in the May 31, 2010 raid.
“Israel’s decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable,” said the inquiry, led by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer. It added, however, that the six-vessel flotilla “acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade” set up by Israel around the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory. The inquiry called for Israel to make “an appropriate statement of regret” for the raid and pay compensation to the families of the dead as well as to injured victims.