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Gambian opposition leader condemns Israeli attack on humanitarian ship
Monday, 31 May 2010 17:25
The head of Gambia’s opposition Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), Lawyer Mai Fatty, has joined the
international community in condemning the attack against a humanitarian convoy destined for the besieged Palestinian city of Gaza by Israeli forces.Shock and outrage swept the world on Monday when it emerged that commandos from the Israeli Defence Force had stormed a flotilla of aid ships bound for the Gaza Strip, as the Jewish state's foes and allies closed ranks in condemning the deadly raid.
The GMC described it as “another unprovoked barbaric assault.”
Mai Fatty called for “severe consequences against this reckless international lawlessness on the part of a country that continues to provoke dangerous global instability with outrageous onslaught against every modicum of international morality.”
The statement, issued just hours after reports of the attack emerged, said the fact that Israel attacked the humanitarian vessel in international waters “renders this incident an international crime and a threat to international security.”
At least 10 people were killed, with scores injured, in the incident which took place in open seas, raising fears of renewed fighting. Already the Islamist Hamas government which rules in Gaza is calling on the Muslim world to "rise up", and furious protesters condemning Israel have already been reported elsewhere.
Israel claimed its naval forces were attacked by the activists and that both sides used live fire, after they stormed the six ships which contained thousands of tonnes of aid and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from a across the world, including Greece, which had some 30 nationals on board.
“We call on the United States to condemn this cold blooded murder of defenceless international citizens on international waters, all of whom were unarmed, peaceful and on the mission of humanity, to alleviate the pathetic plight of Palestinians. The silence of the United States and/or its refusal to openly condemn and require stiff consequences for this barbaric act will be interpreted by us as the clearest evidence of double standards in this latest unprovoked massacre by Israel,” the GMC statement said. It added that as a government in waiting, it had instructed its secretariat to hand deliver “our strongest protest” to both the United States Embassy in Banjul and the Israeli Embassy accredited to The Gambia for onward transmission to their respective governments.
“I have also instructed my Liaison Officer to convey messages of our unflinching solidarity with the people of Gaza to Hamas Leader, H.E Ismail Haniya,” Mr Fatty said, adding: “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about a war of independence against a settler whose actions have been declared by the international court of justice as illegal’”.
“There can be no impartiality in this genuine struggle by millions and their legitimate aspirations for nationhood. GMC chooses to side with the Palestinians in a dangerous sea of international hypocrisy, and in this instance spearheaded by the American neo-cons and their international partners in crime,” the GMC statement concludes.
This reaction by the Gambian opposition politician follows a series of others by world leaders, including some of Israel’s traditional allies.
The European Union has demanded a full inquiry from Tel-Aviv. Spain, the current European Union president, Sweden and Greece called the incident "unacceptable".
In a show of protest, the Greek announced they were withdrawing from a joint military exercises with Israel. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he was "deeply shocked" and said "nothing can justify" such violence. Germany's Foreign Minister followed suit by saying he was "deeply concerned."
In the Arab world, the condemnations were expectedly swift and decisive. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas declared three days of mourning over what he described as a "massacre", while the Arab League chief Amr Mussa called it a "crime." Mr Mussa said the 22-country body was consulting on its next move.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the raid "inhuman Zionist regime action".
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Comments
Look is not about what the reports says but actions taken that are clearly blocked by the US and allies. How many reports prepare and how long is this conflict going on? No action despite lot of reports been made and is only the ordinary man and institutions barking and howling that are under governments who should take action. Imagine if this was Iran what the US and allies would have done? Is very unfortunate for me to understand your theories. You said to me that I should read between lines but for you, you should try to analysize and digest what you comment and what others comment. You can never convince me just as I can never convince you so the best thing for both of us is convincing the 1000’s by putting facts not defending Jammeh or hating him. Portraying and painting lies will never gain me anything and the same for you. I wonder when you say Obama is against Israel’s moves and quoting his reaction to his meeting with the Prime minister of Israel.
I don't believe in arresting Journalists
I don't believe in arresting civilians for saying what they want to say.
I don't believe in strikes. Sorry, they are mere excuses for poor people to get out to loot.
The above mentioned names and not very known for giving in too easily. They stick to their guns, no matter what. I like that about a leader. Stick to your guns regardless of what.
No one here will comment about the 100 deaths in a mosque in Parkistan. But if Isreal shoot armed men in a ship, it becomes a big big deal. I just check up the meaning of hypocrisy in my dictionary to confirm my suspicions.
The people who call for democracy and freedom are the watch dogs, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty, the media watchdogs, etc. And please go to AMnesty's latest report and serch for Israel, then you will see if they have actually been ignored as you are suggesting. Even America itself is being taken care of, bro. So please stop looking at what Washington, London or Paris do and admit the problems we have at home which need working out.
Am a big believer in George Bush philosophy: Take the battle to the enemy's backyard. You all know that Hamas want to kill all Jews. So Jews should sit down and wait to be butchered by terrorists? Hell no!! Go Israel!
Last Friday, gunmen butchered about a 100 worshippers in a mosque in Parkistan because they are Ahmadis. No one said anything about it. So it is ok to go into a Mosque and kill 100 or even 1000 worshippers if they are Ahmadis? I don't know that it is ok to enter a Mosque and kill anybody who is Ahmadis!
Am a big believer in George Bush philosophy: Take the battle to the enemy's backyard. You all know that Hamas want to kill all Jews. So Jews should sit down and wait to be butchered by terrorists? Hell no!! Go Israel!
Last Friday, gunmen butchered about a 100 worshippers in a mosque in Parkistan because they are Ahmadis. No one said anything about it. So it is ok to go into a Mosque and kill 100 or even 1000 worshippers if they are Ahmadis? I don't know that it is ok to enter a Mosque and kill anybody who is Ahmadis!
About the students, forget it. You got what you bargained for. My cousin started the first fire at westfield Junction. I said to him, thank God that you are alive. Military men in a coup plot, and end up dead. I say; what better way to die peacefully with one bullet in the head.
My principle is, if you consciously go out to strike, fight, etc, you must equally be prepared to win or lose; live or die!!!!
To prevent all the above tragedies, i said Arabs n Africans should be ban from owning or carrying weapons. Because our sense have not fully matured.
Hey i love the village of Kafuta. It is a lovely village. Lots of fun down there in the 90s
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