By Martin Banks - 16th June 2010
The victims of this flotilla must have transparent, impartial and international justice
Richard Howitt
Parliament has been urged to back calls for an "international and impartial" inquiry into the recent Israeli attack on a Gaza aid convoy.
The call comes as some of the survivors of the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla gathered in parliament on Wednesday for a debate on the controversy.
They will listen to the parliamentary debate which will focus on Europe's response to the incident.
The survivors will then be invited to give a first-hand account of what happened and unveil their plans for a second 'freedom flotilla' at a news conference.
Representatives of the Turkish humanitarian organisation IHH (the Foundation for Human Rights, Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief) which organised the flotilla, were invited to be present in Strasbourg by the British MEP Richard Howitt.
Howitt is Socialist and Democrat spokesman on human rights and a co-sponsor of a resolution calling for an inquiry.
The flotilla representatives will announce plans for a second flotilla provisionally planned for the second half of next month.
Howitt said today's events come "in the face of equivocation by European governments over the legitimacy" of this week's announced Israeli commission.
The deputy has pressed parliament to call on EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton to spearhead a "new European initiative" to end the blockade on Gaza.
Nine people were killed and dozens injured when Israeli forces boarded and seized the humanitarian convoy which was in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea about 73 miles west of the coast of Israel.
Israel and its supporters, including UK Tory Charles Tannock, strongly defended its actions, saying the aid ship contained weapons destined for terrorists.
Howitt, who has acted as EU observer at Palestinian presidential and legislative elections and has three times visited Gaza during the blockade, most recently in February, said, "The UN secretary general called for an international inquiry following the killings and it is absolutely wrong for the EU to settle for anything less.
"The victims of this flotilla must have transparent, impartial and international justice, and that is what we in parliament will demand.
"On the day when parliament debates how Europe must respond to the Israeli attack it is vital that we listen to the voices of those on board the flotilla, as well as insisting that there is no alternative but to end the blockade."
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