[ 01/06/2010 - 10:32 AM ]
GAZA, (PIC)-- Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has described the UN Security Council resolution regarding the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla as incomplete and does not solve the problem.
He explained in a statement to El-Bayan website on Tuesday that the UNSC should issue a binding resolution committing Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, because this is the core of the problem that has been in effect for the past four years.
Otherwise, tensions would continue and the crisis would exacerbate because free peoples of the world would not tolerate continuation of the siege and would persist in efforts to break it, the spokesman elaborated.
He said that the US position, which blocked a resolution directly condemning Israel, "proves anew the American administration's bias in favor of Israel at the expense of the international law and human rights".
Abu Zuhri said that such a stand affirms failure of betting on the American role, which necessitates remobilizing Arab and Islamic efforts to confront the "American-backed Israeli crimes".
01/06/2010 Just like in any other UN Security Council meeting, the United States proved – during Monday’s urgent session over a new Israeli massacre - that it's still committed to the Zionist entity. But this time, Israel exaggerated in disdaining the international community which is already angry at the Mossad assassination of Hamas senior official Mahmoud El-Mabhouh earlier this year in Dubai using forged Western passports.
UN Security Council released on Tuesday a statement calling for an impartial investigation into the Israeli massacre against "Freedom" flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza, and the immediate release of all detained activists.
Although Turkey was reluctant to water down its trenchant criticism of Israel the United States, Israel's closest ally, wanted to temper the language used and hindered the issuance of a strongly worded draft submitted by Turkey and "backed" by Arab countries against Israel.
At the end of an emergency session that lasted more than 12 hours Monday, the statement condemned “acts which resulted in the loss of civilians."
At least nine activists were martyred when Israeli commandos carried out a raid on the flotilla Monday at dawn in international waters. 60 other activists were wounded during the attack. Previous reports put the death toll at 19, though either figure cannot be independently verified.
"The Council urges Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately and to ensure the delivery of the humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination," it said.
"The Security Council took note of the statement of the UN Secretary General on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards," the statement added.
The Security Council requested the immediate release of all civilians and ships held by Israel. Israeli occupation authorities told the activists to choose between being deported immediately after signing deportation orders to leave, or be subject to a lengthy processed by Israel’s judicial system. Israeli public radio earlier reported that Israel would hold 480 of the activists and deport 48 others.
In the statement, the council's current president, Mexican Ambassador Claude Heller, said the council reiterated its grave concern over the humanitarian situation in besieged Gaza, which it said was "not sustainable."
It stressed the need for "sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza."
DURING THE MEETING
Earlier, during the session, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu lashed out at Israel saying that "a nation state that follows this path has lost its legitimacy as a respectful member of the international community."
"Israel's action is a grave breach of international law. In simpler terms, it's tantamount to banditry and piracy. It's murder conducted by a state," he added.
Yahya Mahmassani, representing the Arab group at the UN, said Arabs wanted a strong worded condemnation to be addressed to Israel, calling for lifting the blockade on Gaza.
COMMENTS AHEAD OF THE SESSION
In individual comments ahead of the meeting, the 15 council members issued remarks, almost all condemning the Israeli assault.
"It is clearer than ever that Israel's restrictions on access to Gaza must be lifted in line with Security Council Resolution 1860. The current closure is unacceptable and counterproductive," British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said.
China also condemned the attack, urging a "quick response" from the UN Security Council.
The Brazilian UN envoy Maria Luiza Ribeiro said the incident "stresses the need for the blockade of Gaza to be lifted. It is a violation of international law," she said.
Meanwhile, it's obvious that Israel's UN envoy Daniel Carmon was on another airwave, unaware of the international outrage at the massacre. He was not aware that the activists were Noble prize laureates, professors, Jews who survived from the Nazis, doctors, journalists, authors, and others. Carmon confidently said that
the flotilla was "not on an aid mission" citing the picture of the weapons used by the activists to defend themselves against a sudden armed attack at dawn. "What kind of peace activists use knives, clubs and other weapons to attack soldiers who board a ship in accordance with international law?" the touched Israel envoy asked.
The “weapons” collected from the ships were kitchen knives, maintenance tools, and tables and chairs, whereas the massacred activists were shot point-blank.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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