Israel faces backlash over aid convoy attack

UN Security Council diplomats, speaking to Reuters, said a time had yet been set for the meeting but gave no further details. It is not clear how the council will react to the incident.

The United States, a key ally of Israel and a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, was cautious in its immediate reaction, expressing “deep regret” at the deaths.  “The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton.

Israeli commandos intercepted the flotilla, carrying 700 people and 10,000 tons of supplies for Gaza, before dawn on Monday. Israeli media said up to 19 activists were dead and news reports said nine of them were Turkish citizens. The European Union demanded a full inquiry into the operation. “High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families of the dead and wounded,” said a spokesperson for Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief. “On behalf of the European Union she demands a full enquiry about the circumstances in which this happened. ... The continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counter-productive. She calls for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza,” the spokesperson said.

European Union governments’ envoys to Brussels were to meet on Monday to discuss the operation, a spokesman for the European Commission said. “EU ambassadors have called a special meeting in Brussels,” the spokesman announced at a news briefing.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: “It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place. I believe Israel must urgently provide a full explanation.”

Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said Israel’s operation was a violation of international laws. İhsanoglu asked the UN to examine the incident in all dimensions, and called on international community and organizations to strongly condemn illegal behavior of Israel.

The operation also sent shockwaves across the Arab world. The head of the Arab League said Arab states should reconsider their ties with the Jewish state. “Israel’s attack indicates Israel is not ready for peace. Israel attacked the liberty fleet because it feels it is above the law,” Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said in Doha. “There is no benefit in dealing with Israel in this manner and we must re-assess our dealing with Israel,” he continued.

Analysts say the message to the Arab world from Monday’s operation is a discouraging one: “For the Arab world, any hope of a peace process with this government is going to evaporate. If they are going to react to this simple issue of humanitarian aid this way, the message is very clear,” Mustafa Alani, of the Gulf Research Center, said.

Egypt, which in 1979 became the first Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador following the incident. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said Israel’s move was a “crazy step” that risked inflaming conflict in the region.

Iran, one of Israel’s biggest foes, said the killings were “inhuman” and would help lead to the Jewish state’s demise. “All these acts indicate the end of the heinous and fake regime and will bring it closer to the end of its existence,” President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told state broadcaster IRIB. Iran is under international pressure over its nuclear program.

Back in Europe, political leaders expressed strong criticism against Israel. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the violence could not be justified. “I am profoundly shocked by the tragic consequences of the Israeli military operation against the Peace Flotilla for Gaza,” Kouchner said in a statement.

Germany, one of Israel’s most loyal allies, expressed shock at the deadly interception of the aid flotilla and questioned whether the action by Israeli commandos was proportionate. “The German government is shocked by events in the international waters by Gaza,” government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told reporters at a regular news conference, adding the government was seeking further clarification about the incident.

Italy said the killing of civilians on the aid flotilla was “very grave” and asked for an EU investigation to ascertain the facts. “I deplore in the strongest terms the killing of civilians. This is certainly a grave act,” said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. Referring to the European Commission, he said it was “indispensable that there be an inquest to ascertain the facts, which are still not clear.”