Israel comete una masacre, piratería en aguas internacionales contra la flotilla de la libertad

(del Centro de Información Alternativa)

This morning, 31 May 2010, the Israeli navy perpetrated a new crimeagainst humanity when it attacked the Freedom Flotilla, bound forGaza, sailing in international waters. On the boats were 750 peoplefrom 40 different countries, among them 44 parliamentarians andpoliticians. Based on the initial news after the attack, the numberkilled is 16 and at least 60 are wounded. All the victims areinternational activists who helped organized this campaign to endIsrael’s aggressive siege on Gaza that has continued for three years.This aggressive attack against the Freedom Flotilla is an astoundingcrime in meaning and dimension. It is an attack against unarmedcivilian ships. This is a crime and an act of piracy in internationalwaters. It is a clear breach of international laws and agreements.Despite Israel’s redeployment from Gaza in 2005, it has continued toimpose a comprehensive siege against the 1.5 million people living inGaza.The Israeli government would not have the courage to commit such acrime if the international community were brave enough to faceIsrael’s continuous violations of international law, if it had thepower and will to force Israel to end its siege and to stop itsaggressive actions against the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people,and if the same international community had the power to take actionand enforce the necessary procedures to push Israel to end itsoccupation and to implement international resolutions. But this veryclear crime against the Freedom Flotilla, which led to internationaldeaths and dozens of injured, comes under the cover and support of theNetanyahu government by the American administration and the EUgovernments and the silence of the Arab regimes. At the very momentIsrael created a blood bath against civilian ships carrying hundredsof internationals from many countries, Netanyahu is welcome in theWhite House. Meanwhile, Israel continues its settlement policy inJerusalem and its aggression against the Palestinian people in theWest Bank and the Gaza Strip. It is the governments of theinternational community and their political cover which allow Israelto continue its action and aggression as a state above and beyond thelaw.The Alternative Information Center (AIC) places completeresponsibility with the Israeli government and we request that theinternational, legal, political and humanitarian bodies moveimmediately to condemn this crime and to hold Israel accountable forits harsh actions. We also request the immediate lifting of the siegeon Gaza so supplies can enter without any conditions.In this context the AIC also calls for civil society organizations inIsrael to move immediately to express their refusal, disgust andcondemnation for this crime.Now is the moment for the international community to raise its voiceagainst these aggressive policies, it is the moment to take immediatepolitical and legal action to hold Israel to account for its crimes,it is the moment to lift the siege against Gaza, it is the moment toforce Israel to implement international resolutions, to end theoccupation and to recognize the international rights of thePalestinian people. If this does not happen more blood will be shed.