1 JUNE 2010
H.E. Ban Ki-Moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations
760 United Nations Plaza,
New York,
NY 10017,
USA
MEMORANDUM OF CONDEMNATION
Barisan Nasional Youth (BN Youth) condemns in the strongest possible manner, the massacre of humanitarian activists on board the vessel Mavi Marmara which led the Freedom Flotilla of ships carrying aid to Gaza, perpetrated by Israeli commandos in the early hours of Monday 31 May 2010.
Contrary to the claims of the Israeli propaganda machinery, video evidence and reports from onboard the Mavi Marmara indicate that there was absolutely no provocation from the unarmed aid workers before Israeli commandos stormed the ship and immediately opened fire, killing at least 9 and leaving dozens more injured. Israel may claim that it acted in self-defense and in the interest of its security, but it is not possible for a flotilla carrying 10 thousand tonnes of humanitarian aid to pose any threat to Israel.
That this unprovoked attack happened in international waters proves yet again that Israel has absolutely no respect for international laws. The State of Israel has repeatedly ignored these laws with impunity, and this latest incident is another example of Israeli state-sponsored terrorism. The massacre on board the Mavi Marmara is just the latest in a history of atrocities which more recently include the collective punishment of the 1.5 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip for the actions of a relative few; the indiscriminate targeting of civilians including school children and university students during air strikes; and disproportionate military responses which have destroyed police and security offices of Gaza’s elected government – all of which have claimed tens of thousands of lives and brought untold suffering. Still the international community fails to act against a rogue state with little regard for human life. BN Youth demands that the United Nations reverse this pattern immediately, beginning with a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning this latest illegal act of aggression by Israel.
BN Youth also demands the immediate release of the impounded ships and the humanitarian activists that were on board them by Israel. BN Youth calls for an independent inquiry into the whole incident and for the prosecution of the Israeli government soldiers if they are found to be guilty by the inquiry.
BN Youth wishes to stress that this incident is not merely a Muslim issue, but a crime against humanity as a whole. BN Youth is encouraged by the overwhelming outpouring of anger from citizens of nations around the world who stand in solidarity in denouncing this attack.
BN Youth further urges the United Nations to also act to end the Gaza blockade established by the Israeli occupiers, which has caused immense suffering to Palestinians who have been denied the right to self-determination.
Thank you.
On behalf of Barisan Nasional Youth,
Khairy Jamaluddin MP
Chairman of Barisan Nasional Youth
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