August 4, 2010
Dear Ms. Spivak,
It is nice that you met the commandos, and generally, I admire that you will seek various opinions on the Middle East conflict, but it would have been more ethical as a journalist if you had asked the commandos and their commanders why they seized and destroyed (or at least not released) the photographic and video evidence from the Mavi Marmara and other flotilla activists of the raid. Until their photographs and video are shown, it will be impossible to believe the Israeli version. If the Israeli version is the truth, then the seized photos and video of the flotilla activists will vindicate them.
As it is, some of their photos and video did escape seizure, and are being presented in Canada and around the world, and what they show, is Israeli commandos firing non-lethal and then lethal rounds at the activists before they even landed. They also show that activists protected and treated the injured commandos from those who held an "eye for an eye" sense of justice.
Sincerely,
Scott Weinstein, Montreal
Editor’s response: The commandos made it clear to me that they were unable as per IDF policy to discuss any of the aspects of the flotilla raid itself. Therefore , it was not at all unethical for me to have failed to ask them anything relating to the incident–be it the questions you have raised nor any others.
Additonally, let me add that I do no think you ought to worry about whether the facts surrounding the flotilla event will be thoroughly investigated. Israel has set up the Turkel Commission to investigate the matter which is already proceeding and there will also be a UN probe.