Tuesday
Jun012010
Blaming the Gaza Flotilla: Text of US Remarks in Security Council
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 6:46 
The statement by Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations, at the Emergency Session of the Security Council yesterday.My reading? While expressing concern over the deaths, Washington is ensuring that it cannot be accused of blaming Israel for the event. Note also that the US Government is not supporting an independent inquiry but leaving it in the hands of Western Jerusalem.
Perhaps most striking is the implication of fault in Wolf's second paragraph with its reference to "non-provocative and non-confrontational mechanisms" for aid to Gaza.
In other words, the Freedom Flotilla --- just by sailing --- brought about this situation:
The United States is deeply disturbed by the recent violence and regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among those involved in the incident last night aboard the Gaza-bound ships. We are working to ascertain the facts. We expect a credible and transparent investigation and strongly urge the Israeli government to investigate the incident fully.
As I stated in the Chamber in December 2008, when we were confronted by a similar situation, mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by member states and groups that want to do so. These non-provocative and non-confrontational mechanisms should be the ones used for the benefit of all those in Gaza. Direct delivery by sea is neither appropriate nor responsible, and certainly not effective, under the circumstances.
The United States remains deeply concerned by the suffering of civilians in Gaza, and the deterioration of the situation there, including the humanitarian and human rights situation. We continue to believe the situation is unsustainable and is not in the interests of any of those concerned. We will continue to engage the Israelis on a daily basis to expand the scope and type of goods allowed into Gaza to address the full range of the population’s humanitarian and recovery needs. Hamas’ interference with international assistance shipments and the work of nongovernmental organizations complicates efforts in Gaza. Its continued arms smuggling and commitment to terrorism undermines security and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
We will continue to work closely with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, along with international NGOs and the UN, to provide adequate access for humanitarian goods, including reconstruction materials, through the border crossings, while bearing in mind the Government of Israel’s legitimate security concerns.
Ultimately, this incident underscores the need to move ahead quickly with negotiations that can lead to a comprehensive peace in the region. The only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement, negotiated between the parties, that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and fulfills the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous, and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. We call again on our international partners –-- both inside and outside this Council –-- to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the parties and throughout the entire region.
Reader Comments (10)
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Shame shame shame
"In other words, the Freedom Flotilla — just by sailing — brought about this situation."
I dont know if these are your words Scott but if they are then I dont know what you are thinking.
They weren't just sailing. They are trying to run a blockade designed to prevent Hamas getting weapons. They were offered a way of getting the aid to the people that need them and they turned it down. Hence their main aim was political (a point I think they would not deny).
Once they were boarded they attacked the boarding party. I note that only one ship attacked the boarding party and funnily enough that is the only ship where causalities occurred.
Yet this whole mess is brought to the feet of the Israelis as if Palestinian supporters are some kind of children that cannot be held responsible for their actions. Let me tell you if you are boarded by any coast guard of any country in the world, and you attack them, you will be at the very least arrested if not shot. Nobody would say that was unreasonable.
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"In other words, the Freedom Flotilla — just by sailing — brought about this situation:"
No, not by sailing, but by trying to lynch and/or kidnap Israeli soldiers.
Scott,
"In other words, the Freedom Flotilla — just by sailing — brought about this situation." I know deep down your focus is always human rights and I applaud you for that. It is my focus but sometimes it blinds me to other realities. In this case you need to look at the bigger picture. The big picture was the fact this was a flotilla not to bring aid but to break the siege. In short they were seeking a confrontation. If these people were truly concerned about getting the aid into gaza they would have stepped down. Ironically 5 of the ships did except for the one that had all IHH activists on board. We all saw what happened when that ship was boarded. Least of all lets not forget Turkey's backing of this and their subsequent promise to provide naval cover for future blockade runners.
When you objectively look at the situation it was quite clear this flotilla did set off the situation by just sailing. From day one they aired to all the were going to do this. They even got all the press on board. It was as if they were preparing for a conflict to happen. You then need to ask yourself what state in the world would allow people to run a naval blockade? I am not debating the siege of Gaza(which I think is wrong) but the simple fact of trying to run through a military naval blockade. You just don't run blockades and expect to get away with it regardless of the right or wrong the blockade. You also don't attack soilders and expect not to get attacked back--its why we always encourage the Greens to never use force!!!!
Thx
Bill
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Bill
You are right, BUT, for these gaza freedom folks, what they were doing, with the backing of Turkey and I don't know who else (officially or not), was the same thing as a Greenpeace action against nuclear tests or whale fishing. In their minds.
Now I wouldn't be surprised that many of them didn't really realize what was planned and what the real outcome could have been.
You only have to read the IHH website to see that it was a political via media move. If there had been no deaths it wouldn't have worked. Or much less.
It's in fact the martyr thing and I've read somewhere that some had made their wills.
So, what from there ? The only question is that how can the Israelis and Palestinians live side by side without bloodshed and strife ?
My answer is : Hamas gives up its beligerence, accepts publically Israels right to exist, stops fighting with the PA etc, and Israel, does a sort of coup de poker, by stopping the blockade, agrees to talk face to face, and apologizes for past wrongs.
This would put a stop to all arguments, make most of the muslim nations breathe a sigh of relief, and thereby too, eliminate Iran's excuse for military build-up and aggressive rhetoric, and hopefully lead to the beginning of the end of Islamic fundamentalism. So, it's up to them both. Call it wishfull thinking but it's the only way out.