Israeli officials on Friday (11/06/2010), said they would accept international participation in the investigations into the raid that led to a Turkish ship Gaza, 31 May.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States (U.S.), Michael Oren, said his country will announce within the next few days the composition of the commission was formed to examine what happened in the vessels that tried to bring aid into Gaza. Israeli officials, who did not want her identity known because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue, told CNN that there will be international participation in the investigation, but could not confirm speculation that the U.S. will be part of the investigation.
U.S. continues to talk with Israel about the possibility of U.S. participation, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States, PJ Crowley, told reporters on Friday. When asked whether the U.S. would support a UN resolution calling for UN-led investigation, Crowley said, "We are not aware of any resolution will be introduced at the UN next week."
A number of countries have urged Israel to allow the UN to investigate the case. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday in Washington, called for an international inquiry commission by saying, "Israel can not investigate itself."
Crowley said the investigation that led Washington to support Israel, but also open discussions with Israel about the potential in which the international community can participate. Foreign Ministry Spokesman said, "The U.S. believes it should not take sides, must be credible, and international participation in some ways can improve outcomes and support for the investigation."
In a speech on Friday in Washington, the Israeli ambassador said Israel had engaged in serious discussions with the United States, United Nations, and two members of the Quartet "Middle East", namely, the European Union and Russia, on how to provide more assistance to civilians in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory, which is considered the U.S. and Israel as a terrorist organization. Each of assistance, Oren said, also must provide a way to guarantee Israel's security from weapons that may be smuggled into Gaza.
