Israeli flotilla inquiry will question prime minister Netanyahu, defense chief

Israeli flotilla inquiry to question premier

JERUSALEM — The head of the Israeli inquiry into last month’s deadly naval raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla says he will summon the prime minister for questioning.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Jacob Turkel announced the plans Monday during the opening session of the five-member commission.

The body is investigating the raid that killed nine Turkish activists on board a pro-Palestinian flotilla trying to breach Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Turkel says he will seek answers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defense minister, military chief and other officials.

Nobel peace laureate David Trimble, one of two foreign observers on the commission, says members “are determined that the inquiry be rigorous.”