UN rights body approves flotilla inquiry

Strongly condemning Israel’s actions against a flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, the UN Human Rights Council voted Wednesday to dispatch an independent, international probe into violations of international law resulting from the incident.

With 32 votes in favor to three against, and nine abstentions, the 47-member council also deeply deplored the loss of life resulting from Israel’s “attack” on the convoy, and demanded that Israel release all detained persons and material aboard the ships. Israel began deporting activists late Monday.

Italy, the Netherlands and the United States voted against the resolution, which also called on Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, which it imposed in 2007. Israel says the blockade is to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, but Palestinians and the UN consider it collective punishment.