In an unusual step, Israel, which is facing global criticism for attacking an aid flotilla, has said violent incidents in countries like India and Pakistan in the past one month which claimed 500 lives have been “ignored” while it is being condemned for its “unmistakably defensive actions”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman “reminded” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that in the past month alone 500 people were killed in various incidents in Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and India. “While the international community remained silent and passive, and generally ignored the occurrences, Israel is being condemned for unmistakably defensive actions,” a Foreign Ministry statement quoted Mr. Lieberman as saying.
This is the first time that Israel has dragged India into a controversy.
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Mr. Lieberman is understood to have told Mr. Ban 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.”
He expressed “regret” at the behaviour of the international community. Israel's proposals to the Turkish government to transfer the humanitarian aid in an orderly manner were rejected by flotilla's organisers,” he was quoted as saying.