But Omer's supporters say the Israeli case is even weaker and question the validity of the Israeli investigation. Jan Wijenberg, a former Dutch ambassador to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, has taken an interest in the case and lobbied Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen to keep pushing for an independent inquiry.
In a letter to the Dutch parliament's foreign affairs committee, Wijenberg pointed out that the Israelis had concluded their investigation without interviewing Omer or Tararya, the Jericho paramedic.
"It becomes apparent that an Israeli investigation does not even exist," Wijenberg stated. "No Israeli investigation -- worthy of the term -- has taken place at all."
Falk, the U.N. human rights official, also wrote to Verhagen, saying, "I have checked out Mr. Omer's credibility and narrative of events, and I find them fully credible and accurate."
Back in Gaza, Omer waited months for permission from Egypt to enter through the Rafah crossing and travel to the Netherlands for medical treatment. He finally left Gaza on Oct. 21. Though jubilant about his departure, Omer remains bitter at several European governments for what he regards as their failure to strongly challenge Israel's version of events.
"There are many people who tell you one thing. But if you ask them to say it in public, they panic," Omer said. "All I get is e-mails and words. I expected more."
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ashraf.khalil@latimes.com
