Israel allows UN to probe flotilla raid

Israel allows UN to probe flotilla raid 
PTI
JERUSALEM/UNITED NATIONS, AUG 2
Succumbing to an international investigation for its army’s action for the first time, Israel today agreed for a UN probe into the bloody May 31 raid by its commandos on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a development described by UN chief Ban Ki-moon as “unprecedented.”
Israeli naval commandos, airdropped on a Turkish aid ship deck to enforce their country’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, killing nine pro-Palestinian activists, sparking worldwide condemnation for its action, including from India.
The decision to accept the UN’s proposal to establish an international panel of inquiry into the deadly raid, the first such instance when Israel would be agreeing to an external investigation into its army’s actions, was taken by the the ‘Forum of Seven’ senior ministers led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
 It is also the first time Israel will be represented on a UN committee dealing with its activities. Israel had balked at the UN request, but has faced international pressure to allow for an external probe into the matter.
 The forum of Seven decided to give UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a positive response, in principle, to allow him to move forward with establishing the panel of inquiry. Negotiations will simultaneously continue regarding who will comprise the committee and over its mandate.
Secretary-General Ban has announced a four-member panel to investigate the raid of the Gaza bound flotilla by Israeli forces that led to the death of nine Turks.
“Today I am very pleased to announce the launch of the panel. This is an unprecedented development,” he added.
 The panel will be led by former New Zealand premier, Geoffrey Palmer, who will be joined by outgoing president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe as Vice-Chair. The panel will also have two additional members, one each from Israel and Turkey.
 It will begin its work on August 10 and submit the first progress report by mid September.