Death of Peace Activists: a wake up call for the international community
Administrator on June 1st, 2010
An aid convoy to Palestine, carrying members of non-governmental organisations from 32 countries was recently attacked by Israeli forces. The Freedom Flotilla is an international civilian effort to deliver humanitarian aid by sea to the besieged of Gaza and raise awareness of the situation in Gaza. The activists were attempting to defy a blockade imposed by Israel since 2007 and try to get some of the most needed supplies to the suffering people of Gaza. Gaza’s 1.5 million population is crammed into an area of 40km long and 10km wide. UN officials have dubbed the blockade ‘medieval siege’.
Such efforts by humanatarians turned into bloodshed when Israel armed forces opened fire on them on the boat. Passengers included a Nobel Peace Laureate, MEPs, a holocaust survivor and 28 British citizens. It is reported so far 9 peace activists have been killed and around 30 have been injured. There are 670 passengers, who are said to be safe.
Death of peace activists should be strongly condemned by all- individuals, organisations and states - because a powerful state’s actions have not only lead to civilians death, they have the potential of discouraging humanitarian spirit that is already fast dissipating from our world. This should also be a time to analyse Israel’s wider policy of blockade towards Gaza, occupation of land and making the people of Palestine suffer for so long, using disproportionate force against them.
It is reported that more than 1,000 marched to the Israel embassy on Monday 31 May 2010 in London condemning the attack on civilian passengers on the aid ship and also the long-suffrage of people of Palestine.
It is encouraging to see that there has been international condemnation of the loss of life, and the UN is holding an emergency session. We urge United Nations to hold the culprits of these civilian’s deaths responsible for the breach of international law. There should be an impartial international inquiry supported with tough sanctions for Israel so that no state can kill innocent people and not be held accountable for its actions under the international law.
The UN must investigate the allegations of the Turkish Government that this was an act of terror by a state. The international community must stand united against acts of aggression by states as they stand united against such acts committed by individuals and organisations. Terrorist attacks on civilians, once proven, must be dealt with in the same manner, irrespective of who carries them out.
It is also encouraging to see that the recently appointed, Foreign Minister William Hague has said that he deplored this loss of life and that “there is a clear need for Israel to act with restraint and in line with international obligations.” We hope that the British Foreign Minister implements his words into and that tough actions are taken against Israel’s state terror in the light of the International law. This was clearly a disproportionate use of force by all standards and therefore the international community should take this massacre of aid workers seriously so that such actions do not take place again.
Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim, said that “The full details of what happened will emerge in time, but it is outrageous to see that civilians trying to help others with humanitarian aid were targeted by Israeli naval force. Full investigation must be done into this human tragedy. Our sympathies are with the families of the killed and injured peace activists. State Terror is always worse than individual terror, as absolute power corrupts absolutely. Justice must be seen to be done, in this instance.”
No doubt that some people would try to turn this horrific and tragic incident into the old Muslim/Jewish issue or anti-semitic propoganda. But in our view, this is a humanitarian issue as peace activists from a number of faiths, organisations and countries were trying to take much needed aid to a people that have suffered for too long and therefore this issue should be looked at by the international community from that angle.
We hope that inter-faith relations and humanitarian actions that are taken by the faith communties and peace activists, up and down the country, are not hindered by this tragic incident. Such loss of life highlights further the importance of people working together to establish peace and justice in the world to defeat warmongers and violence promoters. Good Samaritanism should continue!
June 1st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Palestinians have suffered for too long. This sufferage must stop soon.
June 1st, 2010 at 6:53 pm
We all knew that being a Muslim was “crime” but perhaps being a Good Samaritan is a crime now as well.
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:03 pm
The worst bit is, this is not even shocking. Isreal has been allowed to get away with these acts for far too long. I am really pleased with Turkey’s reaction, we just need America to get some morals and turn it’s back on Isreal next – but not looking too likely.