Todo lo que tienes que saber acerca del Informe Palmer

NEW YORK TIMES
5 de septiembre 2011-Agunos extractos del Informe Palmer:

“Está claro para los investigadores que se hicieron preparativos por algunos pasajeros del Mavi Marmara con anticipación, para resistir violentamente “todo intento de abordaje.”

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“La descripción de Israel es conforme a los testimonios de los pasajeros recogidos en la encuesta turca; que cuenta haber cortado trozos de barras de hierro de las pasarelas del navío, y de los tubos de contra incendios, vestido chalecos de salvamento, chalecos antibalas, y puesto máscarillas anti gas, tras ello ocupar lugares estratégicos para preparar un ataque.”
“Los informes de los testigos describen la coordinación de los médicos y auxiliares del barco antes de embarcar, en previsión de heridos.”

“Además, las secuencias de video muestran pasajeros con máscaras anti gas, chalecos anti balas y de salvamento, armados con barras de metal, hondas, cadenas y porras. Esta información confirma las declaraciones de violencia de los pasajeros hechas por los soldados del Tzahal en la encuesta israelita.”

“La Comisión acepta,por tanto, que los soldados bajaron del primer helicóptero y fueron atacados con gran violencia y resistencia organizada, por parte de un grupo de viajeros, al descender sobre el Mavi Mármara.”

“Los hechos materiales confirman a la Comisión que ese grupo armado de barras de hierros, porras, cadenas, hondas, usó según muchos indicios cuchillos también. Tomaron armas de los soldados de Israel, dos soldados recibieron heridas de balas.”

“Creemos que los soldados pueden haber sido alcanzados por balas disparadas por los pasajeros ,aunque no podemos precisar de modo indiscutible el modo en que sucedieron los disparos causantes de las heridas de bala. Además,hubo siete soldados heridos por los pasajeros, algunos de modo grave.”

“Los dos informes coinciden en que tres soldados fueron capturados por los pasajeros, mientras bajaban del helicóptero, y que les bajaron al puente inferior del navío. La comisión no cree que los tres soldados descendiesen a la cala para recibir socorros y cuidados. Y acepta que otros pasajeros en el puente inferior interviniesen para protegerles y garantizarles alguna asistencia médica.”

“Está probado totalmente que los tres soldados en cuestión fueron capturados, maltratados, puestos en peligro durante el incidente.”

“Para hacer frente a tal respuesta de los pasajeros los soldados del Tzahal, que tomaron parte en la operación, debieron tomar medidas para su protección y la de los otros soldados.”

Extracto del texto original en inglés –primeras páginas- describe los textos legales que apoyan el bloqueo, incluye las recomendaciones para evitar un nuevo incidente y explica los motivos por los que la intervención de Israel es considerada “excesiva”:
Facts, Circumstances and Context of the Incident
The Panel finds:
i. The events of 31 May 2010 should never have taken place as they did and strenuous efforts should be made to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future. Strictly Confidential
ii. The fundamental principle of the freedom of navigation on the high seas is subject to only certain limited exceptions under international law. Israel faces a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law.
iii. The flotilla was a non-governmental endeavour, involving vessels and participants from a number of countries.
iv. Although people are entitled to express their political views, the flotilla acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade. The majority of the flotilla participants had no violent intentions, but there exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH. The actions of the flotilla needlessly carried the potential for escalation.
v. The incident and its outcomes were not intended by either Turkey or Israel. Both States took steps in an attempt to ensure that events did not occur in a manner that endangered individuals’ lives and international peace and security. Turkish officials also approached the organizers of the flotilla with the intention of persuading them to change course if necessary and avoid an encounter with Israeli forces. But more could have been done to warn the flotilla participants of the potential risks involved and to dissuade them from their actions.
vi. Israel’s decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable:
a. Non-violent options should have been used in the first instance. In particular, clear prior warning that the vessels were to be boarded and a demonstration of dissuading force should have been given to avoid the type of confrontation that occurred;
b. The operation should have reassessed its options when the resistance to the initial boarding attempt became apparent.
vii. Israeli Defense Forces personnel faced significant, organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers when they boarded the Mavi Marmara requiring them to use force for their own protection. Three soldiers were captured, mistreated, and placed at risk by those passengers. Several others were wounded.
viii. The loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force by Israeli forces during the take-over of the Mavi Marmara was unacceptable. Nine passengers were killed and many others seriously wounded by Israeli forces. No satisfactory explanation has been provided to the Panel by Israel for any of the nine deaths. Forensic evidence showing that most of the deceased were shot multiple times, including in the back, or at close range has not been adequately accounted for in the material presented by Israel.
ix. There was significant mistreatment of passengers by Israeli authorities after the take-over of the vessels had been completed through until their deportation. This included physical mistreatment, harassment and intimidation, unjustified confiscation of belongings and the denial of timely consular assistance.
How to Avoid Similar Incidents in the Future
The Panel recommends:
With respect to the situation in Gaza
i. All relevant States should consult directly and make every effort to avoid a repetition of the incident.
ii. Bearing in mind its consequences and the fundamental importance of the freedom of navigation on the high seas, Israel should keep the naval blockade under regular review, in order to assess whether it continues to be necessary.
iii. Israel should continue with its efforts to ease its restrictions on movement of goods and persons to and from Gaza with a view to lifting its closure and to alleviate the unsustainable humanitarian and economic situation of the civilian population. These steps should be taken in accordance with Security Council resolution 1860, all aspects of which should be implemented.
iv. All humanitarian missions wishing to assist the Gaza population should do so through established procedures and the designated land crossings in consultation with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
General
v. All States should act with prudence and caution in relation to the imposition and enforcement of a naval blockade. The established norms of customary international law must be respected and complied with by all relevant parties. The San Remo Manual provides a useful reference in identifying those rules.
vi. The imposition of a naval blockade as an action in self-defence should be reported to the Security Council under the procedures set out under Article 51 of the Charter. This will enable the Council to monitor any implications for international peace and security.
vii. States maintaining a naval blockade must abide by their obligations with respect to the provision of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian missions must act in accordance with the principles of neutrality, impartiality and humanity and respect any security measures in place. Humanitarian vessels should allow inspection and stop or change course when requested.
viii. Attempts to breach a lawfully imposed naval blockade place the vessel and those on board at risk. Where a State becomes aware that its citizens or flag vessels intend to breach a naval blockade, it has a responsibility to take proactive steps compatible with democratic rights and freedoms to warn them of the risks involved and to endeavour to dissuade them from doing so.
ix. States enforcing a naval blockade against non-military vessels, especially where large numbers of civilian passengers are involved, should be cautious in the use of force. Efforts should first be made to stop the vessels by nonviolent means. In particular, they should not use force except when absolutely necessary and then should only use the minimum level of force necessary to achieve the lawful objective of maintaining the blockade. They must provide clear and express warnings so that the vessels are aware if force is to be used against them.
Rapprochement
x. An appropriate statement of regret should be made by Israel in respect of the incident in light of its consequences.
xi. Israel should offer payment for the benefit of the deceased and injured victims and their families, to be administered by the two governments through a joint trust fund of a sufficient amount to be decided by them.
xii. Turkey and Israel should resume full diplomatic relations, repairing their relationship in the interests of stability in the Middle East and international peace and security. The establishment of a political roundtable as a forum for exchanging views could assist to this end.

Texto original completo: https://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/world/Palmer-Committee-Final-report.pdf
Extracto del informe en español, publicado en el blog: https://bajurtov.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/%C2%BFquieren-uds-leer-el-informe-palmer/