Israel’s admission of guilt in 2009 flotilla tragedy long overdue

When a group of volunteers and activists decided to sail onboard the Mavi Marmara flotilla towards Gaza, it was for a humanitarian cause that made the initiative worth all the while. Yet what would be remembered most about the event is not the cause behind the mission as much as the aggressive Israeli attack that came as a reaction. Two years after the disastrous event on the flotilla, Israel’s first alternative in dealing with the Palestinians remains to be that of aggression — in tone, action and intent.

An Israeli government watchdog on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of making a poor decision which led to the deadly Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010. Netanyahu had failed to heed multiple warnings that any military interception of the vessel would end in confrontation and violence. In addition, the report pointed to the high incoordination between various government entities which the prime minister was also held responsible for.

But is this report enough? Does it really justify the unnecessary killing of nine pro-Palestinian activists? What was the crime they had committed to be punished as such? Is it a crime when a group of people decide on delivering goods and medicines to the Palestinians suffering under the Israeli blockade?

A senior Turkish foreign ministry official has certainly reacted appropriately to the report’s findings. The official said that the stance of the report is not enough to restore diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey.

In fact, Turkey is not interested in the content of the report. Instead, what has become evident is the fact that the killing of Turkish nationals could have been prevented.

In another attempt to downplay the gravity of the matter, the Israeli government had offered in May a total of Dh45 million as compensation to the families of the Turkish activists who had been killed by the Israeli commandos on the flotilla.

Israel has to come to terms to what needs to be done and the first step is to admit of the injustice and aggression carried out against unarmed civilians.