Nobel-winning Elders deplore Gaza flotilla attack

"A time comes when silence is betrayal." ` Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For coverage of Israel's massacre in international waters of between 10 and 20 civilians who were traveling with a group from 50 countries, which occurred last night as the civilians were sleeping aboard six ships carrying tons of humanitarian relief to Gaza, please see WitnessGaza.com, the Free Gaza Movement and Gaza Freedom March. Video of beginning moments of the attack can be seen at these sites and others. It is important to go beyond corporate news' reporting of this atrocity to understand why nations around the world are taking immediate action and issuing fiery statements of reproach. As of now, the extent of the U.S. response has been: ""deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy." A list of responses with links is available at Gaza Freedom March's Emergency Response Plan.

– Ed.

Johannesburg, May 31, 2010
TheHindu.com

The Elders group of past and present world leaders, including former South African president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Monday condemned as "completely inexcusable" the deadly Israeli attack on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza.
At least 10 people are reported to have been killed when Israeli commandos raided the boats on Monday in an operation that has drawn international condemnation.
"The Elders have condemned the reported killing by Israeli forces of more than a dozen people who were attempting to deliver relief supplies to the Gaza Strip by sea," the 12-member group said in a statement issued in Johannesburg, where it met over the weekend.