May 31, 2010
NCCAR Condemns Israeli Attack on Gaza Aid Fleet
Ottawa, ON, May 31, 2010 - The National Council on Canada-Arab
Relations condemns the overnight attack by the Israeli Navy on an
international aid flotilla of unarmed civilians. The flotilla was
bringing desperately-needed medical and food supplies as well as
construction material to Gaza. The Free Gaza Movement ships were
seeking to break Israel's illegal three-year military blockade of
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The attack by the Israeli Navy occured in international waters, a
direct violation of International Law. The civilian boats were carrying
700 human rights workers, parliamentarians, 1976 Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire of Northern Ireland, and a Holocaust
survivor, Hedy Epstein, 85. The flotilla comprised people originating
from 40 countries. Early reports indicate that up to 19 civilians have
been killed with several dozens wounded.
"Canada can no longer ignore its responsibilities as an upholder of
International Law by continuing to absolve Israel of its clear
violations of it," stated Mark Khoury, Vice-President of NCCAR.
"Furthermore, it is clearly no longer appropriate for Canada to
continue to state that Israel's values are Canada's values. Today, most
Canadians do not believe that."
Several organizations including Amnesty International, B'tselem (The
Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied
Territories) and the UN have recently documented Israel's role in
preventing humanitarian supplies into Gaza in what amounts to the
collective punishment of 1.7 million Palestinian civilians in Gaza,
contrary to its duty under international law. This has caused a
man-made humanitarian disaster.
The international community, including Canada, must force Israel to
lift its illegal blockade imposed upon the population of Gaza. An
immediate, independent and credible investigation into this serious act
in international waters must take place, and those in violation
prosecuted.
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