Jonatan Urich
On Sunday evening (July 25), Shayetet 13 Naval Special Forces Commander, Colonel S., spoke for the first time in public about the flotilla events in which his soldiers took part. During the "Soldier's Courage" event held by the Association for Soldiers, Col. S. said that onboard the deck of the Mavi Marmara, his "soldiers met with terrorists that tried to execute a terrorist attack disguised as a protest flotilla operation".
Col. S. added that after the events, "there was a spontaneous impulse from the people of Israel to embrace and support the Shayetet 13 soldiers".
"Frankly, it made me a bit angry at the beginning. I didn't think we needed to be embraced, but like we were asked to do, we needed to investigate with courage, to improve and to get ready for the next mission. The supporters came not only to strengthen us but also themselves. The immediate and spontaneous support of the Israeli citizens is a clear statement of how they want to appear in the eyes of the world", he added.
Chief of the General Staff: Shayetet 13 soldiers displayed high and unique capabilities
As a reminder, the Eiland Report about the flotilla response praises the Shayetet 13 soldiers' actions during the entire interception operation on the Marmara. The investigation team determined that the Shayetet 13 soldiers acted properly, with courage, wisdom and professionalism and that the Shayetet 13 commanders' decisions were correct. The report also determined that the use of live fire was justified and that the entire operation was admirable.
The team expressed a positive opinion about the evacuation phase of the injured people by sea and by air, including the injured activists. The investigation team also noted that the General Staff in general and the Israeli Navy in particular considered the flotilla issue in the most serious manner, as can be seen in all the preparations done previous to the raid.
With the release of the report, the Chief of the General Staff expressed his gratitude to the Israeli Navy and to the Shayetet 13 Naval Special Forces which, according to him, displayed over the last 3 and a half years high and unique capabilities, particularly with regards to intercepting ships, both in open and confidential operations.