TURKEY tr-diplomacy
UN Security Council condemns Israeli raid, urges investigation
UNITED NATIONS — From wire dispatches | 6/1/2010 12:00:00 AM |
The United Nations Security Council condemned the violence that resulted in passenger deaths during Israel’s raid on ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip and called for an investigation. (UPDATED)
The United Nations Security Council condemned the violence that resulted in passenger deaths during Israel’s raid on ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip and called for an investigation.
The Security Council’s 15 member governments agreed to a statement condemning “acts which resulted” in the deaths and endorsing a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.”
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| Davutoğlu's statement |
| Read Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's full address to the United Nations Security Council. |
Security Council statement |
The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza. The Council, in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least ten civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families.
The Security Council requests the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel. The Council urges Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination.
The Security Council takes note of the statement of the U.N. Secretary–General on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.
The Security Council stresses that the situation in Gaza is not sustainable. The Council re-emphasizes the importance of the full implementation of Resolutions 1850 and 1860. In that context, it reiterates its grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stresses the need for sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.
The Security Council underscores that the only viable solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated between the parties and re-emphasizes that only a two-State solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors, could bring peace to the region.
The Security Council expresses support for the proximity talks and voices concern that this incident took place while the proximity talks are underway and urges the parties to act with restraint, avoiding any unilateral and provocative actions, and all international partners to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the parties and throughout the region. |
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The statement requested the release of the ships and the captured civilians, and called the situation in Gaza “not sustainable.”
Israeli commandos killed several pro-Palestinian activists after encountering resistance while intercepting the ships, the Israeli army said. Israel said its forces were attacked with guns, knives and clubs after boarding a vessel.
The six ships came from Sweden, Greece and Turkey on a mission aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Adoption of the statement followed more than 12 hours of negotiations over a draft submitted by Turkey that initially condemned Israel’s use of force and sought an independent international probe.
The U.S. objected to the explicit condemnation of Israel, which was amended to create unanimity on the council.
[HH] Davutoğlu: Israeli raid was 'murder'
Israel committed “murder” and violated international law when it intercepted ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told the United Nations Security Council.
“Israel’s action constitutes a grave breach of international law,” Davutoğlu said Monday at an emergency Security Council meeting in New York. “This is tantamount to banditry and piracy. It is murder conducted by a state.”
Davutoğlu also said Israel "lost all legitimacy" after conducting the raid.
"A nation state that follows this path has lost its legitimacy as a respectful member of the international community," he said.
"Israel has committed a serious crime, in total disregard of all the values that we have vowed to uphold since the establishment of the United Nations system," the minister said.
Reports suggested that most of those killed in the early morning raid were Turks, and Ankara has responded with outrage to the incident, recalling its ambassador to Israel.
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Compiled from Bloomberg and AFP reports by the Daily News staff.