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MENA: Israel will have to Choose

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, United Arab Emirates, Breaking News, Human Rights, Humanitarian Response, International Relations, War & Conflict

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:

.@QueenRania روحى صحى جوزك قوليله قوم اسحب السفير يا منيل #FreedomFlotilla
@QueenRania Go wake up your husband and tell him to expel the (Israeli) Ambassador

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.