25-11-2024 12:35 PM Jerusalem Timing

Erdogan: Turkel Committee Probe “Had No Value or Credibility”

Erdogan: Turkel Committee Probe “Had No Value or Credibility”

The report said Israeli occupation soldiers were “attacked by activists” upon landing on the 600-passenger Mavi Marmara in flotilla raid in May 31.

Turkish Prime Minister dismissed the report of Turkel Committee inquiry into the events of the May 31 Israeli raid on flotilla heading to break the blockade of the besieged Gaza.

Erdogan told reporters in Ankara Sunday that the probe “had no value or credibility”, adding that he was "appalled and dismayed" at its results.

The report said Israeli occupation soldiers were “attacked by activists” upon landing on the 600-passenger Mavi Marmara and used “lethal force because their lives were in danger”.

MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad) was also critical of the committee, saying its members had refrained from summoning her to testify purposefully. 
"The committee did not summon the only witness who saw what happened on board for fear that the harmony of the report would be damaged," Zoabi said Sunday.

MK Zoabi accused the Turkel committee of trying to whitewash the martyrdom of the nine Turkish activists who were killed during the raid, and said the committee had been used as "an open stage for propaganda" as it allowed military and state officials to speak uninterrupted and without objection.

For his part, Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called the committee's conclusions "a desperate attempt at justifying the occupation and improving Israel's image by hiding crimes".
"Steps must be taken in order to try the accomplices of this crime in international court," he added.

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his content with the results, alleging that the occupation soldiers were “defending” themselves.

However, a Jewish agency report said that the raid unleashed a surge of anti-Semitism throughout the world.