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Gaza flotilla attack prompts worldwide outrage

By Felicity Spector

Updated on 01 June 2010

As world leaders call for a full inquiry into Israel's fatal raid on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, Felicity Spector reports for Channel 4 News that Barack Obama was alone in not condemning the action.

Protesters demonstrate against Israel's flotilla raid (Getty)

International outrage at Israel's operation has been swift - and almost universal.

After hours of discussion late into the night, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called for an immediate investigation, saying it should be "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent".


British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said there was "an unambiguous need for Israel to act with restraint" and called the blockade of Gaza "unacceptable and counterproductive."

However, Turkish demands for far stronger language in the final resolution were watered down by the United States, which removed any direct condemnation of Israel. In the end, the statement declared that the UNSC "deeply regretted the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force".

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Nato is holding an emergency meeting today - another forum where Turkey could press for a strong response.

Turkey - which is one of Israel's only Muslim allies in the region - has described the raid as "state terrorism" with a furious address by Prime Minister Tayyip Eerdogan in parliament today. He warned "no-one should test Turkey's patience" and said the attack should "definitely be punished".

Uniquely in the Muslim world - Turkey and Israel have enjoyed a close relationship for more than ten years. Trade between the two countries was worth £2 billion last year - including deals to supply military hardware to Ankara. A deal to supply 10 Israeli-made Heron drone aircraft worth around £120 million has already been agreed - other planned projects, including water, energy and agriculture, could be worth billions more.


But that relationship could now be at risk: the ruling AK party has said ties between the two countries will never be the same again. Prime minister Erdogan has spoken out pretty harshly against Israeli actions several times over the last year - and there have been numerous diplomatic spats between the two countries.

Now the Turkish government has cancelled joint military exercises - and has hinted it could examine its energy links with Israel. At stake is a $1bn investment to build a gas-fired power plant and a major pipeline project to carry gas, oil and water between the two countries.

The fallout from the raid has hit tourism too: Israel has already warned its citizens not to travel to Turkey - almost a quarter of a million reservations have been cancelled.

Turkey's foreign minister - who's in Washington DC - is urging the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to condemn Israel's actions: 'It should not be a choice between Turkey and Israel", he said, "it should be a choice between right and wrong."

XX Popular foe Iran was also quick to reiterate its call for the internationall community to cut ties with Israel, Foreign Minister Ahmad Vahidi imploting the international community to “fully boycott it and to fully cut diplomatic, economic and political ties with the Zionist regime,"

The Arab League has also called an emergency meeting to discuss what it is calling a "terrorist act". Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the operation "a massacre", while Egypt denouned Israel's "excessive and unjustified force".

Latest reports say Hamas has reported that Egypt has just opened its border crossings into Gaza until further notice.

The European Union has demanded a full inquiry and called for crossings into Gaza to be opened up, calling the embargo "unacceptable and politically counterproductive".

There has been a strong reaction from leaders across Europe: Germany was unusually outspoken, voicing its "deep concern", while Greece has also called off joint military exercises, saying "nothing could justify the use of such violence."

The Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said he believed the blockade breached international law, while in common with other countries, the Israeli ambassador to Dublin was summoned to explain the attacks.

And while Italy's deputy foreign minister described the aid flotilla as a "provocation", the country deplored the killing of civilians "in the strongest terms".

Here, David Cameron spoke to Mr Netanyahu by phone last night, deploring "the heavy loss of life" - and calling for the blockade to be lifted urgently. XX While the coalition's new Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg went further saying it was time to ‘move towards lifting the blockage in Gaza as soon as possible’

XX Israel will be looking to the US to shield it from the ensuing diplomatic fallout and veto any UN sanctioned punishments – but so far reaction from the US has been muted.

XX White House Spokesman William Burton expressed regret at the loss of life adding the US is “working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.” 

The incident occurred just day’s before Binyamin Netanyahu was due to meet President Obama at the White House for what they call a “kiss and make up” session. With the chorus of international condemnation growing, Obama’s much vaunted effort at kick starting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks looks set to be the biggest casualty.

(Former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk told the New York Times that the raid "underscores that the international blockade of Gaza is not sustainable. It helps stop Hamas attacks on Israelis, but seriously damages Israel's international reputation."

Mr Obama has promised to reschedule today's cancelled talks with Mr Netanyahu: the chance of bringing the Israelis and Palestinians any closer to peace talks, however - now looks very distant indeed.)

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