World Condemning Israel for Attack Against Flotilla
Hundreds of angry Turkish citizens have gathered today around the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, shouting “Damn Israel”. Police forces are desperately trying to hold back the angry mob, protecting the residence of the Israeli ambassador in Turkey.
The protesters were enraged by the Israeli military’s recent actions against a flotilla of ships transporting aid and activists to the controversal Gaza strip that is under blockade due to the actions of the Hamas organization.
The Hamas has urged Islamist people to rise and protest in front of all the world’s Israel embassies, expressing their resentfulness of the Israeli methods.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning in the memory of the deceased – more than 10 people according to the Israeli armed forces, over 15 casualties reported by a Turkish charity organisation.
Israel’s military actions against the flotilla were also condemned by the Kuwait parliament, by Amr Mussa (chief of the Arab League), France and Germany. The European Union demands a full inquiry of the raid against the flotilla.
Catherine Ashton – chief of EU foreign affairs – has issued a warning: Israel’s policy of closure is “unacceptable and politically counterproductive”. She was demanding a “an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening” of the Gaza strip.
Greece expressed its concern about the safety of the 30 Greeks aboard the attacked ships, demanding an immediate report about their situation from Israel’s local ambassador. They have also withdrew from any joint military exercises with Israel.
