Western countries condemn Israeli attack
Monday, May 31, 2010
ISTANBUL �From wire dispatches
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton on Monday demanded Israeli authorities mount a "full inquiry" into the killing of civilians in the aid flotilla.
Ashton "extends her sympathies to the familes of the dead and wounded and is demanding a full enquiry into the circumstances of how this event happened," said a spokesman.
"She reiterates the European Union's position regarding Gaza the continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counterproductive."
Spain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, summoned Israel's ambassador on Monday for an explanation for the deadly raid, the foreign ministry said.
Greece summoned Israel's ambassador Monday to demand an "immediate" report on the safety of about 30 Greeks on board. The foreign ministry said in a statement it had requested "immediate information concerning the safety of Greek citizens on board the boats... and stressed the need to take the necessary measures to ensure their security."
Ambassador Ali Yahya was called in for talks with Greek deputy foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas, said the text.
Athens also canceled a joint military excersize with Israeli Air Forces.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Monday he was "deeply concerned" about the killing of civilians. The minister "is deeply concerned about the events last night in the waters off Gaza ... these are disconcerting initial reports," a foreign ministry spokesman told AFP."The foreign ministry is now working to establish the full facts of what happened," the spokesman added.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday he was "deeply shocked" by an Israeli raid on the aid flotilla and insisted "nothing can justify" such violence. "I am deeply shocked by the tragic consequences of the Israeli military operation against the peace flotilla destined for Gaza," Kouchner said in a statement."We do not understand the still provisional human toll of such an operation against a humanitarian initiative that has been known for several days."
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said Monday that she was shocked that the aid flotilla was "met with violence."
Arab League chief condemns
Arab League chief Amr Mussa slammed a deadly Israeli military raid on Monday against a boat carrying aid for Gaza as a "crime" against a humanitarian mission.
"We condemn this crime, taken against a humanitarian mission and people. They were trying to help people. They were not on a military mission. Everyone should condemn this," Mussa told AFP.
"We are now conducting calls to Arabs to decide on our next step," said Mussa, who heads the 22-country organization based in Cairo. The Israeli army said "more than 10 people were killed" when navy seals stormed the boat, ending a high-profile mission by six ships to bring supplies to the blockaded Palestinian Gaza Strip.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday slammed as "dangerous and crazy" the Israeli raid, AFP reported. "The Israeli attack on the aid convoy is a dangerous and crazy step that will exacerbate tensions in the region," Hariri said in a statement.
According to Israel's private channel 10 television, Israeli marine commandos had opened fire after being attacked with axes and knives by a number of the passengers on board the aid ships, the television said, without giving the source of its information.