Israel’s Actions Amount To Piracy!

Palestine Monitor

Ramallah: "The international community and the EU representatives cannot be silent on this heinous aggression toward international activists, unarmed civilians challenging a criminal siege which is suffocating Gaza’s population!", said Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. "Israel is continuing its repression policy on Palestinians as well as on international activists and is aiming to silence any civilian disobedience and peaceful protest. The flotilla was assaulted in international waters: the international community must protect its activists and must condemn Israel’s systematic use of military violence to deter people from solidarity with Palestinians." Dr Barghouthi firmly condemned the killing of unarmed civilians and reaffirmed his support to international activists "who are adopting peaceful, courageous and honourable means and actions to support the Palestinian population, regardless of Israeli threats to forcibly stop them." Dr. Barghouthi pointed out that "a similar policy is carried out by Israeli authorities every week in the West Bank and in the seam zone in Gaza to discourage solidarity on the ground and isolate the Palestinians: recent casualties underline the Israeli military’s policy of directly targeting international solidarity activists, who support Palestinians and participate with them in non-violent demonstrations and actions". The convoy is the fourth such trip to Gaza since Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s devastating military offensive which left 1,500 dead and destroyed the strip’s economy. The three previous flotillas were prevented from docking in Gaza, with the ships’ supplies confiscated and believed destroyed. The first of these, in December 2008, was rammed at sea by the Israeli navy, which almost resulted in the sinking of a boat. "Once again Israeli Navy is attacking the boats in international waters at night, using aerial reinforcement, high velocity bullets, bombs and commando soldiers against unarmed civilians. This is another violation of international and humanitarian law: we call on international community and EU representatives to launch protests, condemning Israeli crimes aimed at punishing solidarity with Palestinians." For comments and interviews: 00972. 599.940073 A protest has been called in Al Manara Square, in Ramallah at 12.30 am today