Monday 31 May 2010

Global outrage at Israeli terror state


GLOBAL anger is erupting over the Israeli army's murder of unarmed activists trying to bring relief to Gaza.

Protests have been breaking out all over the world, with one planned for Downing Street, London, at 2pm today (Monday).

Thousands of Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news of the operation broke. The protesters shouted "Damn Israel" as police blocked them.

There are also signs that the imperialist system of which Israel forms a part is trying to prevent opposition to the murders from spreading. It seems Twitter is censoring trending topics about #gaza and #flotilla

Reports Al Jazeera: "Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to break the country's siege on Gaza.

"More than 10 people were killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday, the Israeli military said.

"The Israeli Army Radio had earlier said that up to 16 people had been killed.

"The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.

"Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.

"Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on board the Mavi Marmara, said Israeli troops had used live ammunition during the operation.

"The Israeli military said four soldiers had been wounded, two of them moderately, and claimed troops opened fire after 'demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs'.

"Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the ships.

"Al Jazeera’s Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Jerusalem, said the Israeli action was surprising.

"All the images being shown from the activists on board those ships show clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in nature, with medical supplies on board. So it will surprise many in the international community to learn what could have possibly led to this type of confrontation," he said.