By Martin Banks - 1st June 2010
I call on Israel to ensure that unfettered humanitarian aid is continuing to reach the civilian population in Gaza
Charles Tannock
Israel's EU ambassador has been summoned to appear before parliament's foreign affairs committee amid continuing outrage over the attack on a convoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza strip.
The demand comes on Tuesday, as Israel comes under fresh attack over its raid on a flotilla of Gaza-bound aid ships in which at least 10 civilian activists died.
The raid has sparked strong international condemnation and calls for Israel to lift its three-year blockade of Gaza.
Speaking at a news conference in parliament, Luxembourg S&D deputy Robert Goebbels described the incident as an act of "terror" and said Israel should be made to appear before the International Criminal Court at The Hague, while his UK colleague Bairbre Brun urged the EU to revoke its trade agreement with Israel.
Antonio Miloshoski, chair of the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe, led the condemnation, saying he was "dismayed" by the attack.
"The death and injuries caused to a number of civilians during this operation is a great tragedy," he said.
"I trust that the circumstances of these events will be swiftly investigated, in all transparency, so that the responsibilities are fully established."
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) also expressed its "indignation" at the attack.
FIDH president Souhayr Belhassen said, "This tragedy is the inevitable consequence of impunity prevailing in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories and a total disregard of international law by the Israeli authorities.
"The circumstances of this tragedy must be brought to light and those responsible must be held accountable and punished. An impartial and independent investigation should be opened without delay."
The Brussels-based trade union organisation ITUC condemned the action as an "outrage", saying that "those responsible for violations of international law must be brought to justice".
ITUC general secretary Guy Ryder said, "This appalling development underlines once again that violence and confrontation will not bring peace and justice to Palestinians and Israelis.
"The only acceptable way forward is through negotiation based on commitment on all sides to renounce violence.
"Given that the Israeli authorities have apparently said that the supplies in the convoy will in any case be taken into Gaza, the world can only wonder why this happened in the first place.
"In any case, meeting a humanitarian convoy with military force is unacceptable."
Flare Network, the international network of civil society, also "harshly condemned" the attack. President Michele Curto said, "Regardless of the side one intends to support in a delicate matter as the Arab-Israeli conflicts, a violent attack against dignity and human rights has been objectively perpetrated. Violence causes only violence."
Meanwhile, UK Tory MEP Charles Tannock, the ECR's foreign affairs coordinator, said, "This is yet another example of the tragedy of the continuing futile conflict between Hamas which controls the Gaza strip and its radical Islamist allies and the state of Israel.
"Although the convoy was carrying much needed humanitarian aid it would also appear its main purpose from the statements of the IHH organisers was not to deliver aid which can reach Gaza by land anyway but about provocatively breaking the maritime siege.
"I deeply regret any loss of life and in particular condemn the carrying of children by IHH on board the flotilla in the knowledge the pre-planned action could result in violent confrontation putting innocent lives at risk."
Tannock added, "However, I also call on the Israeli government to fully investigate the incident and hold any Israel defence forces shown to have used unjustified or excessive force to account and legal due process.
"I also call on Israel to ensure that unfettered humanitarian aid is continuing to reach the civilian population in Gaza."
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