Tuesday 1 June 2010

U.S. blocks Security Council criticism of Israeli raid

United Nations » Israel faced heavy criticism in an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday in response to its deadly attack on an aid flotilla trying to breach the Gaza blockade, but attempts to issue a formal statement stalled after the United States rejected the strong condemnation sought by Turkey.

Turkey proposed a statement that would condemn Israel for violating international law, demand a U.N. investigation and demand that Israel prosecute those responsible for the raid and pay compensation to the victims. It also called for the end of the blockade.

The Obama administration refused to endorse a statement that singled out Israel, and proposed a broader condemnation of the violence that would include the assault of the Israeli commandos as they landed on the deck of the ship.

While condemnation of Israel in the Security Council is not uncommon, the criticism at the emergency session by Turkey and Lebanon was notable for both its vehemence and for the broad array of countries demanding an independent investigation into the decision to fire on civilians in what they described as a humanitarian mission.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey, whose country's once close relations with Israel have deteriorated markedly since Israel's invasion of Gaza in 2008, called the attack "tantamount to banditry and piracy; it is murder conducted by a state."

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_15200395


Prime Minister David Cameron tells Netanyahu Israeli raid was 'unacceptable

Thousands of Iraqis protest Gaza aid ship deaths

1 comment:

Greg Bacon said...

US veteran on board 'Liberty' was flotilla passenger

Man who served on ship bombed by Israel during 1967 war is missing in aftermath of flotilla clashes

06.01.10, 09:13 / Israel News
A US Navy veteran who was on board the USS Liberty, which Israel attacked during the Six Day War, is now missing after taking part in the conflict-ridden flotilla, US news agencies reported Tuesday.

Sixty-three year-old Joe Miduras, of the Texas town of Corpus Christi, has not yet made contact with his wife, Jean. She has so far remained unconcerned, however, saying she didn't think he had been hurt.


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3897160,00.html

In other news, an extensive investigation into numerous, gruesome murders of young women in London's East End has been concluded.

The Special Prosecutor appointed to investigate these crimes, Jack Ripper said he has found no evidence of wrongdoing, the women appear to have slit their own throats in some kind of bizarre act of self-mutilation.