JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hamas and Turkey are joining forces to take legal action against Israeli military officers involved in the interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Hamas Justice Minister Faraj al-Ghoul and Turkish Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin agreed during a phone conversation Wednesday to work together to file lawsuits against those involved in the raid, which left nine passengers dead, the London-based Arabic al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported.
The Hamas government in Gaza said in a statement Wednesday that Ergin said Turkey will continue to support the residents of Gaza, and that Turkey is willing to pay the price that comes with this support.
"This is a responsibility we inherited from our ancestors and it compels us to remove the unjust siege from Gaza," Ergin said.
The lawsuits would be filed in the International Criminal Court at The Hague and at the court of arbitration in Washington, Ynet reported.
Thus far, a lawsuit seeking for compensation for the families of those killed and injured in the raid and another claiming violation of the charter on maritime operations in international waters are being planned, Ynet reported.
