Excessive force

Israel has used disproportionate violence again. It deployed its navy and air force to deal with a civilian flotilla of 10 ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid for the blockaded Gaza Strip. At least 10 people are believed to have lost their lives in the assault. On board the flotilla of ships were pro-Palestinian activists from around the world, including diplomats and parliamentarians. Israel has claimed that the activists attacked its commandos when they were heli-dropped into the ship. Indeed video footage reveals that the activists ambushed the commandos with what appears to be metal bars and sticks. However, Israel is being parsimonious with the truth. Prior to the activists’ assault on the commandos, it had fired upon the boats. The military operation it launched on the flotilla was no ordinary one. Leading the operation was the Flotilla 13 unit of the Israeli navy, an elite military formation that is notorious for it ruthless efficiency and clandestine operations. The commandos who targeted the aid ships were armed with sten-guns, grenades and tear gas.

The activists belong to the Free Gaza Movement. They were part of a humanitarian flotilla that was carrying on board water purification kits, prefabricated homes, wheelchairs and reconstruction material. They were seeking to break the three-year blockade Israel has imposed on Gaza. Israel has described their attempt to break the blockade as ‘an act of provocation’ against its military and that it had used force in ‘self-defence’. But the confrontation took place in international waters and Israel’s action amounted to unilateral aggression. What happened on Monday was a clear violation of international norms and human rights law.

The support the US has officially extended to Israel’s blockade of Gaza is immoral. Thousands of Gazans have died due to lack of medicines, food and water. Yet the Gazan people are being denied the basic necessities. And the United Nations is complicit in this violence. While it has been critical of the blockade it has done little to stop it beyond helplessly twiddling its thumbs. Now in response to the bloody assault on high seas, the Security Council has called for an impartial inquiry. But once again it has buckled to US pressure. The statement has watered down calls for an end to the blockade. This reluctance to end the blockade and act against Israel is unconscionable.