Weighs Easing Gaza Blockade

Israel's leadership is considering changing its Gaza policy amid mounting international pressure, as it emerged Thursday that an American citizen was among the dead and another was injured in a deadly raid on an aid mission this week.The review comes as condemnations grow on the blockade—including a new push for a change in Gaza policy by the U.S.—after nine activists died in the confrontation Monday. The policy may be changed in an effort to allow aid to reach the territory's citizens more easily, according to Israeli officials."The relations between Israel and Turkey will never be the same again," President Abdullah Gul said. "Protecting the welfare of American citizens is a fundamental responsibility of our government and one that we take very seriously,'' she told reporters. "We are in constant contact with the Israeli government attempting to obtain more information about our citizens."State Department officials visited the morgue where Mr. Dogan's body was being held, said spokesman P.J. Crowley, and confirmed that he had been killed by multiple gunshot wounds."We have the option to conduct our own investigation," Mr. Crowley said.Mrs. Clinton said, "As we have stated continuously, we expect the Israeli government to conduct a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation that conforms to international standards and gets to all the facts surrounding this tragic event. We are open to different ways of assuring that it is a credible investigation, including urging appropriate international participation."On Monday, Israeli naval boats intercepted the six-ship flotilla and commandoes boarded the crafts, dozens of miles from Gaza's shores. On one ship, a deadly melee ensued, leaving nine activists dead.Israel's review of its Gaza policy could result in little or no real change to the blockade. But with Israeli officials scrambling to counter growing international outrage over the flotilla incident, its review of Gaza policy represents the first, tentative concessions aimed at defusing the matter."We are currently exploring additional ways to implement these principles," the official said, without giving details. He didn't say whether the easing of a naval blockade of Gaza was specifically being considered.Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to explore "creative solutions" to facilitate the flow of goods into Gaza. But this official said Israel hasn't agreed to lift the blockade.Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman proposed attaching international observers to an internal Israeli probe. He told the Ynet news website that he has proposed setting up a commission of inquiry, headed by a respected former Israeli Supreme Court judge. "If they'll ask to include foreign observers, we'll include them," Mr. Lieberman said.Senior U.S. officials said the Obama administration would "redouble" its efforts to get Israel to ease the blockade. But these officials indicated the White House wasn't going to ask Mr. Netanyahu to formally end the blockade."We don't think it's in Israel's interest to maintain the status quo," said the State Department's Mr. Crowley. But he added: "Given the history and reality, Israel has a very legitimate interest to inspect and control the flow of materials into Gaza."Free Gaza spokeswoman Greta Berlin said the group wants to send a large number of vessels on the next voyage as a deterrent to any aggressive military response from the Israeli army."Our boats are small and we don't want them sunk," she said.

source by-online.wsj.com