European Coalition for Israel

Helsinki, 31 May, 2010 – The European Coalition for Israel deeply regrets the loss of life in connection with the interception of the “Free Gaza” Flotilla off the coast of Gaza this morning.

“- This tragic event has only losers and no winners”, said ECI director Tomas Sandell in a statement in Helsinki on Monday. He warned for any premature conclusions as to the ultimate responsibility for the loss of life.

“- If the objective of the Flotilla activists was to send humanitarian aid to the Palestinians suffering under Hamas in Gaza, they could have done so peacefully by accepting the Israeli offer to transfer the aid to Gaza. If, on the other hand, the organizers wanted to protest the blockade of Gaza they could have considered sailing to Egypt, which is also blocking its borders with Gaza ”, Sandell said.

“- The decision to ignore Israeli warnings about entering Gaza illegally, indicates that the real intention behind the operation might not have been of a humanitarian nature but  was a clear provocation to step up further violence in the Middle East .”

ECI deplores the fact that some members of parliaments in Europe have used their legitimacy to take part in the sail which was led by armed activist groups with links to international terrorism ,  with a clear intent to provoke military confrontation with Israel .  

As further information about the incident is being processed, the ECI calls for calm and restrain in order not to let the enemies of peace exploit this tragic event and cause any further blood shed.

< Prev		Next >