From: Jatin Desai <[email protected]> Date: 31 May 2010 17:05
*PEACE MUMBAI* *Press Release * This morning, the Israeli army attacked an aid-carrying flotilla bound for Gaza. According to various sources, the military action has left more than 10 people dead and dozens wounded. Dubbed Freedom Flotilla, the convoy was composed of 6 ships with 600 people on board, including human rights activists, a Nobel laureate and several European legislators. The flotilla was on a mission to ship 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid, such as cement, medicine, school supply, etc to 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who has been living under embargo imposed by the Israeli government since December, 2008. The flotilla sailed offa port in Cyprus on Sunday and was estimated to reach Gaza by Monday morning. This early morning, in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast, the flotilla was intercepted by Israeli commandos boarding the ships from the sea and the air. According to Free Gaza Movement, organizer of the flotilla, Israeli troops opened fire immediately after they stormed the ships. Live ammunition was used in the operation. According to Al Jazeera, at least 15 people were killed and dozens were injured. BBC reports 10 Israeli soldiers were also wounded, quoting Israeli government. The Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla has immediately spurs condemnations from international society. In Turkey, thousands of people marched on the street and tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. The Turkish government is also reported to have summoned the Israeli ambassador to file a protest. The Arab League announced a statement saying “the attack clearly shows Israel's aggressive nature and its disrespect to international and humanitarian rules and laws.” Peace Mumbai hereby expresses its deepest concerns and strongest condemnation of employment of brutal violence against unarmed civilians violating all international norms. We also demand that Indian government lodge its formal protest with the government of Israel and demand explanation failing which it must consider severance of diplomatic relations with Israel. (Sukla Sen) (Jatin Desai) (Asad Bin Saif) 31st May 2010. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
