South Africa condemns Israeli attack on aid ships

By Ofentse Mokae
31 May 2010

Following the death of 20 people allegedly killed by Israeli commandos and injuring at least 60 people, the South African government and organised labour has strongly condemned the incident.

In a statement the International Relations and Cooperation department says it has noted with the gravest concern reports that Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of ships carrying aid to Gaza.

“For Israel to attack these civilian ships in international water is a gross violation of international law and is deserving of the highest level of international condemnation,” the department said.

It is thought that up to 20 people were killed and scores wounded when the action took place 65-kilometres off the coast of Gaza, early this morning.

The department is investigating the possibility that there was a South African citizen on board one of the ships.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has also expressed its outrage over what it condemns as the murders by Israeli commandos.

Cosatu says it supports the call on the international community to pressure their governments to condemn and hold Israel accountable for the attack.

“The federation welcomes the decision by the government of Spain and Sweden to withdraw their ambassadors from Israel and calls upon the South African Government to follow their lead,” said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

The six-ship flotilla, with 750 Palestine Solidarity activists on board, left Cyprus under a Turkish flag yesterday.

Meanwhile, Israel says its forces were attacked when they boarded the ships to enforce the long-standing blockade of Gaza.

The Jewish state has advised its citizens to avoid travel to Turkey following massive protests there against the deadly military raid.

Turkey is a popular holiday destination for Israelis.