Israeli Knesset members sharply criticized the government and in Turkey the media declared Israel had finally surrendered to Turkish pressure.
 

Israel’s Opposition leader Knesset member Tzipi Livni criticized the forum of seven ministers who voted to participate in the probe, saying the government’s foot-dragging immediately after the raid has left Israel with no choice.
 

"On the day of the flotilla, even before the international condemnations, I publicly called on the Defense Minister [Ehud Barak] to set up a credible and serious Israeli inquiry, in order to relieve the global pressure on the soldiers of the IDF… instead] the government hesitated, stuttered, searched, prevaricated, obstructed, obfuscated, and altered [its inquiry], bringing in outside observers to placate world opinion," Livni told the Haaretz newspaper.
 

Knesset member Shaul Mofaz, former defense minister and chief of staff told Israel Radio that Israel’s agreement to participate in the U.N. inquiry is a “dangerous precedence.”
 

Meanwhile reports in Turkey were mixed Tuesday. Under the title “A white flag from Israel,” the Hurriyet newspaper said “The Israeli government, which has been trying to ward off international pressure regarding the deadly Mavi Marmara raid for a long time, has back pedaled two months after the raid.”
 

The Milliyet newspaper said “two months after the raid on the Mavi Marmara the U.N. has launched an international investigation, with the consent of Israel. Israel was given guarantee that a lawsuit would not be filed against it at the Hague tribunal.”  The Sabah newspaper declared “Israel bows to the U.N.,”and the Vatan newspaper dubbed its article “Israel gives up.”