The Cabinet today approved the appointments of Reuven Merchav and Prof. Miguel Deutch to serve on the Independent Public Commission to Examine the Maritime Incident of 31.5.10, chaired by retired [Supreme Court] Justice Jacob Turkel.

It will be recalled that on 14.6.10, the Cabinet decided to establish the Independent Public Commission to Examine the Maritime Incident of 31.5.10, chaired by retired [Supreme Court] Justice Jacob Turkel.  On 4.7.10, the Cabinet acceded to Justice Turkel's request that Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman provide the Commission with expanded authority.  Now, at Justice Turkel's request, the Cabinet has approved the addition of two members to the Commission.

Justice Minister Neeman notes that the decision was made after several women candidates were ruled out due to conflicts of interest and others had refused.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Cabinet would add additional members of either gender to the Commission, should this prove necessary, and added that the Commission was independent and meets all international standards regarding full transparency and responsibility.