Condemnations are flying left, right, and centre after Israel attacked a Turkish-led flotilla headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and break the blockade on the Palestinian enclave.
On Twitter, Queen Noor Al Hussein of Jordan tweets [1]:
Time for Israelis to choose betwn life in a rogue pariah state defying international & humanitarian law or to commit to a future of peace.
UAE national Sultan Al Qassemi observes [2] with bewilderment:
Oh look, the Sudanese dictator is also condemning the Israeli Apartheid evil attacks. Now I've seen everything. #jumpingonthebandwagon
And Mariam, also from the UAE, is still looking [3] for a reaction from the United Nations over the attack:
I am searching for Ban Ki Moon's reactions to #freedomflotilla [4]. Latest news published: Ban Ki Moon encourages women to stop smoking.
The first of a series of tweets by Queen Rania of Jordan says [5]:
Shocked by killing of civilians in int'l waters #FreedomFlotilla [6]. Humbled by courage & sacrifice of those on board in name of justice.
She then adds [7]:
Every ship that tries to break the blockade is a Ship of Hope for the people of #Gaza [8].
A few of the reasons why:
#FreedomFlotilla [6] Fact1:HEALTH–95% of Gaza’s water fails WHO standards leaving thousands of newborns at risk of poisoning. PLZ RT! (source [9])
#FreedomFlotilla [6] Fact2:EDUCATION–1/3 of schools were destroyed during attack on Gaza in '09; they still haven’t been rebuilt. PLZ RT! (source [10])
#FreedomFlotilla [6] Fact3: POVERTY – 80% of people in Gaza live below the poverty line; 95% of private businesses have closed. PLZ RT! (source [11])
#FreedomFlotilla [6] Fact4: NOURISHMENT – Two thirds of Gazans don’t know where their next meal’s coming from. PLZ RT! (source [12])
Egyptian Abdelrahman was quick to respond [13] to the Queen:
Still in Egypt, Amira Howeidy notes [14]:
Pls stop comparing Israel's army to Somali pirates! This is insulting to the Somali pirates who didn't murder anyone #flotilla [15] #gaza [16]
Meanwhile, Bahraini Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna tweets [17]:
We are following up with our Ambassador n Jordan & d Palestinian Ambassador n Jordan
& MOFA Jordan 2 follow up on Bahrainis on convoy ships
And Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid Al Khalifa reports [18] today:
Bahraini prisoners have just been released … They are in Jordan on their way back home
See our special coverage page [19] about the flotilla raid.