The International Criminal Court of Justice in The Hague has instructed the prosecution to probe the Mavi Marmara commando operation launched by Israel in May 2010 to determine if there were war crimes committed. A number of Turkish nationals were killed in the operation. The court instructed prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to reopen the probe, explaining the court feel the prosecutor’s judgment previously was flawed. Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotevely questioned the court’s move, citing that it had already determined no war crimes were committed on the Mavi Marmara.

The Marvi Mamara was heading to Gaza to break the Israeli marine blockade on Gaza. When naval commandos boarded to stop the vessel they were attacked, and some members of the force were serious injuries because they were under orders not to use deadly force. The commandos did not expect to be attacked as the ship’s passengers labeled the vessel a “freedom flotilla”.

In November 2014 the court ruled there were grounds to believe there were war crimes, but it decided it was out of its jurisdiction. It now appears the court has had a change of heart.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening responded to the court’s decision:

“IDF soldiers acted in self-defense in stopping an attempt to break through the maritime closure that was carried out in accordance with international law as determined by a committee appointed by the UN Secretary General, a commission headed by a Supreme Court judge and international observers. At a time when Assad in Syria is slaughtering tens of thousands of his own people, when Iran is executing hundreds and Hamas in Gaza is using children as human shields, the court chooses to deal with Israel for cynical political reasons. Against this hypocrisy our soldiers will continue to protect us in the field and we will defend them in the international arena.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)