Dismissing global criticism for its deadly attack on an aid flotilla to the Gaza, Israel has said that violent deaths in countries like India and Pakistan in the past one month has been “ignored” while it is being condemned for its “unmistakably defensive actions”.
“Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman reminded the Secretary General that in the past month alone 500 people were killed in various incidents in Thailad, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and India, while the international community remained silent and passive, and generally ignored the occurrences, while Israel is condemned for unmistakably defensive actions”, a foreign ministry statement said.
Mr. Lieberman is understood to have told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the incident related to Gaza aid flotilla was about the “basic right of Israeli soldiers to defend themselves against an attack by a gang of thugs and terror supporters who had prepared clubs, metal crowbars and knives in advance of confrontation”, while expressing “regret” at the behaviour of the international community.
“All of Israel’s proposals to the Turkish government to transfer the humanitarian aid in an orderly manner was rejected by flottila’s organisers”, Mr. Lieberman was quoted as saying.
He also accused activists participating in the mission of intentionally trying to breach Israel’s sovereignty and creating “provocation that would cause bloodshed“.
“In light of this, the Security Council resolution is unacceptable and contributes nothing to the promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East”, Mr. Lieberman said.
In an emergency session, the Security Council called for an investigation of Israel’s deadly commando raid on ships taking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip on Monday, condemning the act that resulted in the loss of at least nine lives.
