UUSC Condemns Israeli Defense Force Attack on Aid Flotilla

UUSC condemns the deadly attack in international waters early May 31 by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on a multinational, civilian fleet bound for Gaza. Although there are different versions of how the violence began and escalated on the flotilla's lead ship, nine civilians were killed and many more were wounded as a result of the IDF's raid against the convoy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

The convoy was attempting to break Israel's three-year blockade against the people of Gaza. The United Nations has called the blockade "collective punishment on the people of the Gaza Strip in violation of international humanitarian law" (Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict). The blockade, in place since June 2007, prevents most humanitarian aid and basic goods from entering Gaza either by land or sea and has caused severe, indiscriminate hardship for the 1.5 million people who live there, of whom half are children.

The IDF's decision to attack the flotilla diminishes rather than enhances Israel's security. This action further isolates Israel from the international community, which has criticized the attack and voiced concerns about its implications for the recently initiated proximity talks between the Palestinians and Israel. Turkey, previously a strong ally of Israel, has recalled its ambassador. Egypt has opened the Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to help ease the punishing blockade.

In the midst of a general strike in Gaza on June 1, UUSC's local partners called to thank UUSC for our continued solidarity and commitment to work for on-the-ground solutions in Gaza. "Our work is valuable," said Amal Sabawi, program director of the American Friends Service Committee in Gaza. "It shows that there is also some goodness in the world."

Even as UUSC deplores this recent attack, we remain deeply concerned about the ongoing, serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza that continues to worsen as a direct result of the blockade and the extensive damage caused by Operation Cast Lead in late 2008 and early 2009. We call on Israel to lift the blockade and encourage the United States to bring the full weight of its diplomatic and economic leverage over the nation to persuade it to discontinue its devastating policy of isolating and collectively punishing the civilians of Gaza.