| On 23rd January 2011, Israel released a report justifying their violent attack on the aid flotilla on 31st May 2010. Here we set out why the attack was illegal and wrong. Israel had no legal right to prevent humanitarian aid reaching Gaza: Under the fourth Geneva Convention, Israel as an occupier has a duty to protect civilians under its control, ensuring free unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief. Israel failed to meet that basic requirement. PM David Cameron compared Gaza to a ‘prison camp’. John Ging, then Head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, said the international community should ‘look for practical ways to break the siege’ and recommended ‘sending ships’. Israel had no legal right to board the flotilla: The Turkish flagged ship was in international water. Under international law, all states have freedom to sail ships in international waters – to board this ship was a breach of Turkey’s sovereignty. Israel was not acting in self-defence: Israel’s argument that it was acting in self-defence is indefensible: Israeli Forces boarded an unarmed boat using gas bombs, tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Civilians on board had every right to defend themselves against this illegal and unwarranted attack. An independent panel? Israel appointed the panel to investigate itself – its independence can be judged by the appointment of David Trimble, a founder member of the Friends of Israel, as one of two foreign observers. Israel’s account is full of lies: If they had nothing to hide they would have given back evidence taken from those on board. For an accurate, official report visit UN Human Rights Council. |