EMHRN Statements

EMHRN condemns the Israeli naval attack against “Gaza Freedom Flotilla”

Memeber Statements

Palestinian and Israeli Human Rights Organizations Call All States to Uphold Victims’ Rights

CIHRS: calls on the United Nations to conduct immediate investigations over the attacks on the humanitarian aid flotilla

CIHRS: condemns brutal assault on the Freedom Flotilla

FIDH: ISRAEL/Gaza Strip -Deadly attack on aid flotilla: FIDH denounces a tragedy, a direct consequence of impunity.

Al-haq: Palestinian Human Rights Council condemns Israel’s unlawful and violent attack on international humanitarian aid flotilla.

Amnesty: Israeli killings of Gaza ship activists must be investigated.

Amnesty: Israeli authorities urged to commission international inquiry.

Adalah, PCATI and PHR-I Submit an Extraordinary Petition for Habeas Corpus and Demand for Information on Gaza Freedom Flotilla Passengers to the Israeli Supreme Court.

HRW: Israel: Full, Impartial Investigation of Flotilla Killings Essential

EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton:

- Statement of EU High Representative, Ashton while the flotilla was sailing towards Gaza

- First statement of EU HR Ashton after the attack

- Second statement of EU HR Ashton after the attack

- Joint statement by EU HR Ashton and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov 

Council of the EU:

- Spanish Presidency condemns attack on Gaza flotilla

- Statement of the President of the European Council, Van Rompuy 

European Parliament:

- Press release of the President of the European Parliament, Buzek: Israeli interception of convoy "unjustified"

- Reactions of parties in the European Parliament:

-   Press release of the European People Party

-  Press release of Socialists and Democrats  

-  Statement of the Green Party

-   Press release of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left

- Press release of the European Parliament after extraordinary meeting of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee with Spanish - Ambassador Fernandez Arias and Israel's EU Ambassador Ran Kuriel

-The Israeli attack, Debora Serracchiani (S&D)

- Temporary suspension of EU free trade agreement with Israel

- Reconsidération des relations UE-Israel après l’attaque de la flottille internationale de paix " french"

Individual EU Member States: 

- France: Kouchner’s statement on Operation against the “Peace Flotilla for Gaza”

- Spain: Press Release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (in Spanish)

- Belgium: Statement of Foreign Affairs Minister

- Ireland: Statement by Minister Martin regarding Israeli interception of the Gaza humanitarian aid convoy 

- Germany: Federal Foreign Minister Calls for a full and transparent inquiry (read statement)

- Poland: Statement by Foreign Ministry of Poland on Israeli aid convoy raid

- Italy: Frattini defines Israeli action a “tragic and inexplicable error” (statement in Italian)

- UK: Foreign Secretary says “Israel response, beyond what was warranted or proportionate” (read statement)

United Nations:

 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemns violent interception of Gaza aid flotilla 

  Security Council Condemns Acts Resulting in Civilian Deaths during Israeli Operation against Gaza-Bound Aid Convoy, Calls for Investigation, in Presidential Statement

 Secretary-General Condemns Attack on Gaza-Bound Convoy in Remarks to Media at International Criminal Court Event. Read his remarks  

  UN HRC resolution “The Grave Attacks by Israeli Forces against the Humanitarian Boat Convoy”

 pictures:

Funerals in Turkey for Gaza flotilla dead

from BBC News

The flotilla of six ships, including the Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara, was on its way from Cyprus to Gaza carrying supplies including cement, paper and water purification tablets.

As the flotilla, still in international waters, neared Gaza, Israeli commandos intercepted the boats from air and sea. This image shows a soldier rappelling from a helicopter onto the upper deck of the ferry.

The Israelis say their soldiers were set upon and beaten with bats, chairs and metal poles as soon as they boarded the Mavi Marmara. Activists say the soldiers attacked them first.

As the incident escalated, the Israelis used live weapons on the activists, although the exact circumstances are unclear. This still from Turkish TV footage shows first aid being given to an injured activist.

At the end of the incident at least nine activists were dead. Israel escorted the flotilla to the port of Ashdod and detained the protesters. An online maritime tracking map shows the route taken by the boats.

 Video