Take Action

June 3, 2010

On May 31, the Israeli navy attacked a passenger ship bound for Gaza with humanitarian supplies, leaving nine human rights activists dead and dozens more injured.

Background

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla was made up of eight ships from various European countries, including Ireland, Turkey, and Greece. The ships were carrying construction materials, and medical and educational supplies. The people on board the ships included members of various world parliaments, UN staff, human rights and trade union activists, and journalists. The flotilla was the largest contingent of ships that had attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza since Israel began its siege of the occupied Palestinian territories in 2007.

Prior humanitarian efforts to deliver aid to Gaza by ship were met with resistance by the Israeli Navy. While aid boats have been rammed and shot at in the past, this is the first time Israel has acted with such extreme violence. This Israeli commando attack on a passenger ship carrying as many as 600 peace activists was unnecessarily dangerous and provocative. It has resulted in tragic loss of life and condemnation from around the world.

The attack in international waters on the humanitarian convoy constitutes a breach of International Law and the Law of the Sea. This peaceful, symbolic mission was carrying food and medicines for the Gazan population, 80 percent of which is totally reliant on humanitarian assistance due to the illegal enforcement of the Israeli blockade.

The United Church of Canada has received an urgent request from Dr. Bernard Sabella, the Executive Secretary of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches stating in part:

…We, Church Related Organizations, condemn in the strongest language possible the irresponsible actions perpetrated by the Israeli forces against civilian participants of the Freedom Flotilla and call on all to take action that would see Israel subscribe to international norms by ending the siege on Gaza and by ending its military occupation of the Palestinian Territories. It is only through ending the unjustifiable ongoing military occupation of another people's land that true peace can emerge.

In specific we call for the formation of an independent international investigation on the events that led to the perpetration of this most disturbing.

On May 31, 2010, the Security Council of the United Nations issued a Presidential Statement condemning the attack on a humanitarian aid convoy. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and the chief foreign policy official of the UN, called on Israel to end its “counterproductive” and “unacceptable” three-year blockade of Gaza.

On June 1, at the meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang expressed shock “that humanitarian aid would be met with such violence, and we unequivocally condemn what appears to be a disproportionate use of force.” She again appealed for an end to the blockade, “an affront to human dignity,” which causes the suffering of 1.5 million Gazans. Ms Kang expressed hope that “the Israeli Government will take the necessary decisive actions to demonstrate to the international community a clear commitment to abide by international law.” The 47-member Human Rights Council is expected to adopt a resolution at the end of its session.

Many international leaders have reacted strongly to the attack. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "shocked" by the attack. Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair talked of "deep regret and shock" at the deaths. Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he "deplores the loss of life" and called for limits on aid for Gaza to be lifted.

A statement distributed by the Jerusalem Interchurch Centre said that Palestinian Christian church and community leaders "condemn in the strongest language possible the irresponsible actions perpetrated by the Israeli forces against civilian participants of the Freedom Flotilla." It urged action to ensure that Israel ended its "siege of Gaza and...its military occupation of the Palestinian Territories.”

The United Church of Canada, which has long advocated for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories, acknowledges the significance of international humanitarian law, and expresses its faith in God’s coming justice and peace for the people of this long-suffering land. We pray for all those affected, especially bereaved families and urge you to action.

Take Action

We urge you to write to Prime Minister Harper and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with copies to your own Member of Parliament and leaders and foreign affairs critics of the opposition parties, calling on Canada to:

• support the UN Security Council Presidential Statement, strongly requesting that Israel immediately begin to respect and abide by international law and end the three-year blockade of Gaza by the State of Israel, and
• support the formation of a United Nations Security Council–mandated independent inquiry on the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

You can use this sample letter [RTF: 1 p/16 KB] as a starting point.

Canadian Officials

The House of Commons website has a complete list of MPs' fax and phone numbers. Surface mail letters can be sent to: House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6

• Prime Minister Stephen Harper
  E-mail: Prime Minister Stephen Harper
• Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
  E-mail: Hon. Lawrence Cannon
• Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Party Leader
  E-mail: Michael Ignatieff
• Hon. Jack Layton, NDP Leader
  E-mail: Hon. Jack Layton
• Gilles Duceppe, Bloc Québécois Leader
  E-mail: Gilles Duceppe
• Hon. Bob Rae, Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic
  E-mail: Hon. Bob Rae
• Paul Dewar, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic
  E-mail: Paul Dewar
• Francine Lalonde, Bloc Québécois Foreign Affairs Critic
  E-mail: Francine Lalonde

Send a copy to

• Barbara Lloyd
  Program Coordinator, Public Witness
  Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
  The United Church of Canada
  E-mail: Barbara Lloyd

For more information please contact

• Lee Holland
  Acting Regional Coordinator, East and Central Africa/The Middle East
  Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4038
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4038
  Fax: 416-231-3103
  E-mail: Lee Holland