UN Calls for Probe Into Israeli Raid on Aid Ship

Israel releases video baring confrontation
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 1, 2010 2:04 AM CDT

The UN Security Council has called for an immediate investigation into the deadly Israeli raid on an aid ship headed to Gaza, and is demanding the release of all civilian activists arrested on board. At least 10 pro-Palestinian protesters, most of them Turkish, were killed when troops stormed a ship attempting to run an Israeli blockade. The action triggered harsh criticism from leaders around the world and protests from Istanbul to Paris and Manhattan. Israeli officials have released a video of the raid on the 6-ship flotilla, claiming the footage proves that their troops were under attack.

The video shows a chaotic scene of protesters using poles to hit flak-jacketed troops armed with automatic weapons. Defense Minister Ehud Barack linked the ship activists to terrorist groups, and said they "ambushed" commandos with pistols, knives, iron bars and other makeshift weapons, reports the Telegraph. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who expressed regret for the loss of life, hastily canceled a planned meeting with President Obama yesterday to head back to Israel to address the crisis.
(More Turkey stories.)

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