Occupied Jerusalem, August 10 (Saba) - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday that he "bears all responsibility for what happens in the IDF," according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Speaking before the Turkel Committee probe into the IDF raid on a Turkish ship trying to break the Gaza blockade on May 31, Barak said that he took "full responsibility for military instructions were given during the flotilla raid." "The decision to stop the flotilla was made after the a thorough examination of the options available by the prime minister and the Septet," Barak stressed.

The defense minister said "concrete intelligence information was presented during a military briefing." Barak said that the orders for the flotilla raid were formulated by in accordance with all the relevant government offices. "We have an excellent army, chief of staff and soldiers," Barak stated.

The defense minister echoed a similar stance as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who a day earlier said he had left Barak in charge of the matter before flying to North America for diplomatic meetings.

The IDF raid on a Turkish ship trying to break the Gaza blockade, during which nine Turks were killed, took place while Netanyahu was in Canada for meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Netanyahu was scheduled to meet US President Barack Obama the next day in Washington. Netanyahu was the first witness to appear before the committee.


Saba