Malaysia: Reactions to flotilla attack by Israel

Several Malaysian nationals were on board the Mavi Marmara when Israeli naval commandos raided a “Freedom Flotilla” of six ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid. This attack by Israel has sparked indignation in Malaysia.

Khoo Kay Peng hopes that countries which reacted to the sinking of a South Korean ship last week will also condemn the flotilla attack

The attack must be condemned by the international community. If the attack on South Korean ship is risking economic sanction on North Korea by some of the most powerful nations, I hope they will react the same towards Israel and its cowardice attack.

This is a black day when a humanitarian initiative is being attacked and suppressed.

Democratic Action Party wants an all-party caucus to discuss and condemn the attack

It is most horrifying that Malaysian lives could be lost.

The all-party conference, which should be convened within 24 hours, should express the anger and outrage of Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation at the atrocity committed by the Israeli forces against the unarmed Flotilla and civilians and demand an international tribunal for such crimes against humanity

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister and popular blogger, issued this statement

1. I am horrified at the violence employed by Israel to stop the ships from carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The ships are in international waters, yet the arrogant Israelis do not care to respect international laws and convention.

2. The claim that the people on the ships are carrying sharp objects is ridiculous. Are they going to fight the well armed Israeli soldiers with sharp objects?

3. Do Israeli soldiers shoot to kill people carrying sharp objects? The act is most cowardly and deserving only of brutes, not civilised people.

4. What kind of world are we living in when it allows a rogue state to use violence and killings against unarmed people on a mission of charity

Rallies were held demanding UN to criticize Israel for the flotilla attack.

Photo by daxmuhamad

Here are some twitter reactions from Kuala Lumpur

tianchua: @pummkin Military attack on peace mission is simply not acceptable! Forced boarding armed soldiers on flotilla was an act of provocatn!
farah_deqya: RT @MukhrizMahathir: As expected Israel accuses flotilla of carrying weapons. Lies to justify murdering innocent peace activists. UN, US, UK & EU must stop them.
ervanj: By preventing us access to the flotilla, means Israel is covering up to ensure silence and only one side of the story! #freedomflotilla
bumilangit: RT @mikeymileos: I guess it's called a blockade for a reason. It blocks aid. #Flotilla
Monica_Voon: @IamMalaysian @IamMalaysian Need to look beyond flotilla at long-standing blockade of Gaza and other atrocities – 80% below poverty line.

Some tweets which probe if the flotilla aid campaign was an act to provoke Israel

MrImaginarium: RT @IamMalaysian: @KarimRaslan the organizers themselves said the flotilla's aim was to challenge the blockade. Not humanitarian aid
andyberan: RT @IamMalaysian: @KarimRaslan not saying Israel was right, but it was clearly provocation on flotilla's side as well. They were asked to turn back few times

5 comments

  • Atif Usmani

    all muslims and non muslim countries should ban on israel.
    why america is sitting quite and not saying single world to israel.
    america is playing the double game and he is taking side of israel.
    all countries should boycott of israel and america.

  • Saif Saki

    I condemn the Aggressive Ferrous Israelis Brutal Killing of the innocent people In Freedom Flotilla. I have very deep sympathy for the Shahid Families May Allah give them the strength to handle this. Allah Please forgives the shaid and rewarded them by given Jannath. I invite world nations to condemn The Barbarian Aggressive Israelis Killing of the innocent Volunteer who are carrying the humanitarian aid .

    K. Rashed Rahman

  • “The attack must be condemned by the international community. If the attack on South Korean ship is risking economic sanction on North Korea by some of the most powerful nations, I hope they will react the same towards Israel and its cowardice attack.“

    I think this is exactly the right statement, but I do not think that such actions will happen, because Israel and the US are friendly towards each other, meaning that the US will not allow punishment against Israel. North Korea of course is evil in the eyes of the US, because they are socialistic. Yet, both of them are not part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (together with India and Pakistan) and both of them are (together with India and Pakistan) believed to have nuclear weapons. Thus, there is not such a big difference between North Korea and Israel, just that the US are friends of Israel, because they hate muslim countries.

  • Just merely asking those who support the attack on the peace fotilla:-

    1. Since the Allied forces did not claim any permanent territory post World War 11,it it then to be supposed that the “Chosen people” post- 1967 have some special “God given” right to claim territory post-1967? Either that, or there must exist some rational secular laws that govern the actions of the state of Israel.

    2. When someone invades one’s territory, under Israeli/US edict ( by some special standards of International law – it appears)and it is to be assumed, that the right to resist is somehow suspended when it comes to the actions of Israel? or,

    3. In relation to 2 above Article 51 of the UN Charter:-

    ” Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. ” remains in existence.

    There, of course, might be some special text of international law, that I have yet to read, that makes it permissble to attack a vessel in international waters following upon the suspension (at 2 above) of the right to resistance.

    The true “International community” should not yield on this one, and ought properly to insist that this illegal action is now properly addressed, condemned and the perpetrators brought to justice.
    http://www.globaljusticeonline.com

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