The Prime Minister’s Office responded to the Comptroller and Ombudsman’s report on the handling of the Mavi Marmara incident by saying that “In the test of results, Israeli citizens are enjoying a level of security the likes of which have not been seen for many years.”

“This security is the direct result of responsible management and determined policy. The security discussions that have been held over the past three years have been unprecedented in their scope and depth, as attested to by those who have participated in them.”

The statement was issued some time after the initial reaction to the Comptroller’s report that also seemed to ignore the faulty decision-making process that the report pointed to. The initial statement said: 

“We reiterate that the panel established by the U.N. Secretary General to investigate the flotilla incident clearly ruled that the maritime blockade to prevent weapons reaching the terrorists in Gaza is legitimate self-defense and that Israel’s decision to intercept the flotilla was indeed legal under international law. Ultimately, weapons that reach Hamas in Gaza end up being used against Israeli civilians.”

The Defense Minister’s media advisor said in response to the report that Minister Ehud Barak accepts the criticism and will work as he did in the past with the defense establishment and the IDF to fix all that needs correction. “So it should be and so it shall be,” the advisor added.

State Control Committee Chairman MK Uri Ariel (National Union) said that the report “painted a harsh picture of a poor, problematic and worrisome decision-making process” led by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister. The two “failed to share and consult with others regarding essential factors. The report is troubling and raises serious questions about the way in which fateful decisions are made,” said MK Ariel.