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“We have been informed by the Israeli authorities that the return of electronic and media equipment is under consideration by the Israeli defence forces,” Burt said.
“We will continue to press for its return and availability for use in the inquiry, as required by those conducting it,” he said in a written parliamentary reply published Wednesday.
During the attack, masked Israeli commandos killed at least nine humanitarian workers on board the Mavi Marmara, where there were also over 60 journalists.
These include Hassan Ghani from Britain, who said he had his phone, video camera, laptop and DV tapes confiscated by the Israeli security services, which he was seeking to rescue.
The minister confirmed that other personal possessions from British survivors aboard the flotilla when it was attacked by masked Israeli commandoes on May 31 had been sent to the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) in Turkey.
“We are not legally obliged to pursue either legal action, or to seek the return of a British national's property, nor is it part of our consular assistance policy to do so,” Burt said.
“Exceptionally in this case, we have asked our consular staff in Istanbul to follow up with IHH who still hold over 300 pieces of unclaimed luggage, including watches, phones and cameras,” he told MPs without saying if the same action was being taken in Israel.
London, July 14, IRNA -- The UK government is continuing to press Israel for the return of electronic and media equipment seized during its attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters six weeks ago, according to Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt.
“We have been informed by the Israeli authorities that the return of electronic and media equipment is under consideration by the Israeli defence forces,” Burt said.
“We will continue to press for its return and availability for use in the inquiry, as required by those conducting it,” he said in a written parliamentary reply published Wednesday.
During the attack, masked Israeli commandos killed at least nine humanitarian workers on board the Mavi Marmara, where there were also over 60 journalists.
These include Hassan Ghani from Britain, who said he had his phone, video camera, laptop and DV tapes confiscated by the Israeli security services, which he was seeking to rescue.
The minister confirmed that other personal possessions from British survivors aboard the flotilla when it was attacked by masked Israeli commandoes on May 31 had been sent to the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) in Turkey.
“We are not legally obliged to pursue either legal action, or to seek the return of a British national's property, nor is it part of our consular assistance policy to do so,” Burt said.
“Exceptionally in this case, we have asked our consular staff in Istanbul to follow up with IHH who still hold over 300 pieces of unclaimed luggage, including watches, phones and cameras,” he told MPs without saying if the same action was being taken in Israel.
