Just when you thought Israel had buried the idea of an inquiry into the flotilla incident…

From the Associated Press

JERUSALEM—Israel has proposed an inquiry commission into its bloody attack on a Gaza-bound flotilla two weeks ago, to be headed by a retired Israeli judge and to include two high-ranking foreign observers.

A government statement said the “independent public commission” proposal would be brought before Israel’s Cabinet on Monday for approval.

Chairing the commission would be Yaakov Turkel, a retired Israeli Supreme Court justice, the statement said. The two foreign observers would be Lord William David Trimble of Ireland, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and retired Brig. Gen. Ken Watkin, the former chief military prosecutor in Canada.

Now of course it will be headed by an Israeli so probably will not be free of bias; however, what’s interesting is that a Canadian was selected as one of only two foreign participants in the investigation.

Last week the Economist ran a very illuminating piece about Israel’s blossoming relationship with Canada. Some even say the latter is currently Israel’s most loyal ally. Perhaps Israel thinks it’s increasing the odds of a favourable outcome if a foreign national from an unlikely champion is also on board. And given Israel’s recent tension with America, its allies are few and far between these days.