EI has expressed shock and dismay at reports that nine people were killed during the Israeli military’s raid on a flotilla of Gaza-bound ships carrying essential humanitarian aid.
Three further peace activists are in intensive care and seven others remain in a critical state in Israeli hospitals.
EI supports the humanitarian sentiments expressed by peace activists in connection with the delivery of aid and agrees with the UN Security Council statement calling for an impartial inquiry into Israel's raid on the aid ships which demands that the investigation is ‘prompt, impartial, credible and transparent’.
EI has consistently called for a peaceful two-state solution to the Israel and Palestine conflict based on respect for international law and implementation of all UN resolutions. These aspirations can only be undermined by this latest action.
EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, said: “EI sends its deepest condolences to the families of the dead and its hopes for a full recovery for the injured on both sides. From the reports we have received, EI believes that the Israeli military's actions, which we understand took place in international waters, were disproportionate. A full, open and independent enquiry must be carried out into these events. The blockade of Gaza must also be lifted unconditionally to enable the free flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza.”