Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyhau paid a special visit to the Atlit military base in northern Israel on Tuesday, to praise the Shayetet 13 commandos who participated in Israel's Naval interception of the Mavi Marmara last May.
Netanyahu told the naval commandos that they acted "heroically" and "ethically" in an attempt to stop people who tried to kill them.
The commandos violently clashed with pro-Palestinian activists on one of the Gaza-bound ships, resulting in nine fatalities. Both sides have accused the other of sparking the violence.
Addressing the commandos who had been wounded during the raid, the prime minister said, "I am happy to see those who were injured, and I salute you all. You acted in the name of the State of Israel."
At the end of his comments, Netanyahu thanked Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi who accompanied him on the tour, and said the Shayetet 13 fighters proved the IDF chief's determination during his four years in the position.