Hamas leader in Damascus, Khaled Meshal, is seeking to increase international pressure on Israel, demanding another Goldstone investigation, referring to the UN investigation following Operation Cast Lead led by retired S. African Justice Richard Goldstone.

Meshal is calling on the international community to probe the atrocities of the “Zionist army” as Israel was caught exposed as never before. He spoke of Hamas’ self sacrifice on behalf of the residents of Gaza, demanding international pressure on Israel to end the embargo.

He praised the condemnatory statements released by Jordan and Egypt against Israel’s commando operation against the flotilla insurgents, but cautioned the statements were not sufficient, and action was required against Israel.

One survey in Israel shows that about one-half of the nation would like to see a probe into the commando operation, with most placing the blame in Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s lap. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s popularity is also waning. There is a statement in the daily Yediot Achronot quoting an unnamed senior official, a member of the Cabinet of Seven, who has words of criticism for the prime minister and defense minister, who made the decision regarding the handling of the flotilla without consulting with any other members of the cabinet.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)