Israeli Raid Got International Reaction

Posted by Admin on Monday 31 May 2010

Israel's actions : Israeli Raid drew condemnations or requests for explanation across Europe, the Arab world and the rest of the globe on Monday:

Britain: Foreign Secretary William Hague deplored the killings and called for an end to the Gaza blockade. In London, demonstrators protested the Israeli action.

China: A member of its permanent mission to the U.N. told an emergency Security Council meeting China was "shocked" by the attack on "a multinational convoy carrying international aid to Gaza which resulted in heavy casualties," and called for Security Council action.

Egypt: President Hosni Mubarak condemned Israel's "excessive and unjustified use of force against innocent civilians," state news agency MENA said. The government summoned Israel's ambassador, demanding an explanation for the violence.

European Union: Foreign-affairs chief Catherine Ashton called on Israel to carry out an inquiry.

France: President Nicolas Sarkozy said he "condemns a disproportionate use of force." Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said "nothing could justify the use of such violence." Riot police drove back hundreds of protesters demonstrating outside the Israeli Embassy in Paris.

Gaza: Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Hamas government in Gaza, condemned the "brutal" Israeli attack and called on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to intervene.

Germany: Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called for an immediate investigation by a neutral party. He said the German Embassy was seeking information on six German citizens believed to have been aboard the ships.

Greece: Prime Minister George Papandreou condemned the military intervention. The government suspended a military exercise with Israel and postponed a visit by Israel's air force chief. In Athens, one of 20 Greek cities reporting protests, riot police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse an estimated 2,500 Greeks and Arabs protesting outside the Israeli Embassy.

Iran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the raid "an inhuman act.'' Dozens of angry students pelted the United Nations offices in Tehran with stones and eggs, burning Israeli flags and chanting, "death to Israel" and "down with the U.S.''

Jordan: Hundreds of demonstrators urged the government to cut ties with Israel.

Lebanon: Several hundred Palestinian and Lebanese activists protested in front of the U.N. headquarters in Beirut, setting Israeli flags on fire.

Saudi Arabia: The cabinet called on the international community to hold Israel responsible for its "barbaric" policies.

Spain: Summoned Israel's ambassador, demanding an explanation for the violence, and condemned what it called the disproportionate use of force.

Switzerland: Called for an international inquiry and summoned Israel's ambassador.

Syria: Called for an Arab League meeting; the League condemned what it called a "terrorist act."

Turkey: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of "state terrorism." The Turkish government said it was withdrawing its ambassador to Israel, canceling three joint military drills and bringing home a Turkish youth soccer team currently in Israel. In Istanbul, a crowd tried to storm the Israeli consulate.

United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence and called for a thorough investigation. The Security Council held an emergency meeting.

U.S.: President Barack Obama voiced "deep regret," and the White House said he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to quickly collect all the facts about the incident.

West Bank: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the "massacre'' and declared three days of mourning across the West Bank.

—Copyright 2010 A Wall Street Journal Roundup

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