War on Want statement on Israel’s attack on the Freedom Flotilla
01 June 2010
In the early hours of the morning on Monday 31 May 2010 the Freedom Flotilla, a convoy of ships delivering vital humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, was attacked by the Israeli military in international waters. At least nine human rights activists are confirmed to have been killed and dozens more injured.
War on Want condemns Israel's brutal attack on the ships and pays tribute to the human rights activists who have been killed.
Despite international condemnation and outrage, the UK government has so far refused to condemn Israel's actions.
Call on the UK government to hold Israel to account for the Gaza Freedom Flotilla attack
For too long the British government has ignored Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people. For three years Israel has imposed an illegal blockade on the Gaza Strip, creating a devastating humanitarian crisis for the 1.5 million people trapped there.
Time after time Israel has been allowed to act with impunity for its human rights abuses and been rewarded by economic, political and diplomatic support from governments such as the UK.
The British government must act immediately to put pressure on Israel to end the illegal blockade of Gaza and its military occupation of Palestinian land.Sanctions must be imposed on Israel until it complies with international law and ceases perpetrating human rights abuses.
War on Want calls on the UK government to:
- Immediately withdraw the British Ambassador from Tel Aviv.
- Do everything within its power to urge Israel to release the names of those who have been killed and injured and secure the release of all of the human rights activists from the Freedom Flotilla who are currently being detained by Israel.
- Call for a prompt, independent and international investigation into the Israeli attack.
- Press for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on human rights grounds.
- Institute an immediate two-way arms embargo between the UK and Israel. Such an embargo would send a clear message to Israel that its actions are unacceptable.
1 June 2010
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