"We've consulted with the attorney general and with the Supreme Court, and found that it is legal and permitted," Judge Advocate General Major General Avihai Mandelblit told the five-member Israeli commission of inquiry, according to the Haaretz daily.

He also said the naval blockade was imposed out of "pure military considerations" and not as a part of "economic warfare" against Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules Gaza and is committed to Israel's destruction.

He also pointed out that even before the blockade was imposed in 2007, all supplies were transferred to the Gaza by land because Gaza has no proper port.

The commission, which includes two international observers, is only mandated to look at the international legality of the blockade and the raid.

Nine Turkish activists were killed on May 31 when Israeli naval commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara ferry, which led a six-ship flotilla seeking to deliver aid to Gaza in defiance of the blockade.

Activists claim the troops started firing as soon as they hit the deck, but Israeli authorities say activists attacked the commandos with steel rods and wooden staves as they were abseiling down from helicopters.

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News