2 June 2010 - UNA-UK calls for an impartial inquiry into the Gaza flotilla incident and for an end to the blockade

UNA-UK is deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries that occurred yesterday during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza, and condemns what appears to be excessive use of force by the Israeli military on civilians.

We support the calls by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and the UN Security Council for a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards”. We also reiterate our position that the continued blockade of Gaza is unjustified and must end.

Speaking during an emergency session of the UN Security Council, convened yesterday in response to the incident, Israel’s representative to the Council said "If indeed it were a real humanitarian only mission, the organizers would have accepted, weeks ago, during the planning stages, the offer by the Israeli authorities to transfer the aid... Much materials and merchandise is entering Gaza daily through those mechanisms where, I stress, there is no humanitarian crisis...the soldiers boarding one of the ships, were most violently attacked with life threatening means: live ammunition, knives, clubs and others types of weapons.".

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that “it is vital there is a full investigation to determine how this bloodshed took place” and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said “there can be no better response from the international community to this tragedy than to achieve urgently a durable resolution to the Gaza crisis.”

After its emergency meeting, the UN Security Council released a statement calling for:

• the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel and full consular access
• delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination
• a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards
• full implementation of its resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009) [on the lifting of restrictions on supplies for Gaza.]