Brussels, 08/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - “European Officials Rushed to Judgment and Condemned Israel's Attempts to Stop Illegal Flotilla,” headlined The Israel Project (TIP), directing readers to official sources for further clarification. The EU is criticised for being “quick to condemn” Israel's campaign, whereas “US leaders, more cautious, backed Israel as the fuller story emerged”. According to TIP, “at least three among the dead set out to become martyrs”. Most of the criticism was directed at French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who said he “condemns the disproportionate use of force” and his Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who said, “Nothing can justify the use of such violence, which we condemn”. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is also criticised for calling on Israel “to act with restraint and in line with international obligations”, practically demanding an inquiry: “It will be important to establish the facts about this incident, and especially whether enough was done to prevent deaths and injuries”. The Irish and Belgians are not spared by the criticism either: Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin for saying that “the reports of up to 15 people killed and 50 injured, if confirmed, would constitute a totally unacceptable response by the Israeli military” and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere who also spoke of “the disproportionate use of force”.
Israel claims that it had the right to impose a naval blockade on Gaza. It did so, TIP says, “after Hamas overthrew the Fatah-led forces of the Palestinian Authority in a bloody coup in 2007. Under international law, Israel has the right to enforce a maritime blockade on Gaza - in international as well as its own territorial waters - when engaged in armed conflict with Iran-backed Hamas. Support for Hamas has decreased in the Gaza Strip since Israel and Egypt imposed a partial blockade on the territory”.
TIP refutes the claim that Israel is preventing humanitarian aid from getting to Gaza and provides detailed information. Overall, “over one million tons of humanitarian supplies were delivered by Israel to the people of Gaza in the past 18 months - that's equal to nearly one ton of aid for every man, woman and child in Gaza”. (F.B.transl.rt)