2009-02-06 00:00:00
The investigation will look into a complaint lodged by the human rights association Mazlum-Der against several Israeli officials, including President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and army chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
“Every complaint merits an investigation,” a spokesman for the prosecutor in charge of the inquiry told AFP when asked whether a probe had been launched into Mazlum-Der's complaint.
Under Turkish law, prosecutors are required to examine all complaints to determine whether there are grounds for a full-scale investigation that could lead to formal charges.
Mazlum-Der has accused Israel of directly attacking civilians “with the aim of annihilating them” and employing internationally-banned weapons, including white phosphorus bombs, and depleted uranium, in the process.
“The suspects, who wanted to wipe out the Palestinian people through systematic attacks, have committed genocide and crimes against humanity,” said the human rights group's petition, demanding that the suspects be detained should they enter Turkey.
Turkish law allows for the trial of people accused of genocide or crimes against humanity even if the crimes are committed abroad.
Israel's 23-day offensive against the Gaza Strip left more than 1,330 Palestinians killed and injured at least 5,450 others.
Despite being among the few Muslim countries with Israeli ties, Turkey has sharply criticized Israel over its atrocities in Gaza. Turks have staged almost daily anti-Israel demonstrations across the country since Tel Aviv launched and all-out military strike against the Gaza Strip on December 27.
On January 31, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was attending a summit on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, walked off after he was interrupted for criticizing Israeli atrocities.
Before marching off the stage, in front of Israeli President Shimon Peres and UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the Turkish premier marched said that Israel committed “barbarian” acts in Gaza, and lashed out at the audience for applauding Peres's remarks made in defense of the war on Gaza. Erdogan further vowed he would never return to Davos.
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