[THS] U.S. Blocks Security Council Criticism of Israeli Raid

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http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article25589.htm


U.S. Blocks Security Council Criticism of Israeli Raid

The Salt Lake Tribune

June 01, 2010 "Salt Lake Tribune" -- Israel faced heavy criticism in an emergency
session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday in response to its deadly
attack on an aid flotilla trying to breach the Gaza blockade, but attempts to issue a
formal statement stalled after the United States rejected the strong condemnation
sought by Turkey.

Turkey proposed a statement that would condemn Israel for violating international
law, demand a U.N. investigation and demand that Israel prosecute those
responsible for the raid and pay compensation to the victims. It also called for the
end of the blockade.

The Obama administration refused to endorse a statement that singled out Israel,
and proposed a broader condemnation of the violence that would include the assault
of the Israeli commandos as they landed on the deck of the ship.

While condemnation of Israel in the Security Council is not uncommon, the criticism
at the emergency session by Turkey and Lebanon was notable for both its
vehemence and for the broad array of countries demanding an independent
investigation into the decision to fire on civilians in what they described as a
humanitarian mission.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey, whose country's once close relations
with Israel have deteriorated markedly since Israel's invasion of Gaza in 2008, called
the attack "tantamount to banditry and piracy; it is murder conducted by a state."