End the siege of Gaza now, EU says

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130456§ionid=351020202



The EU has called Israel's closure of Gaza's crossings a politically incorrect move and repeated the 27-nation bloc's call for Tel Aviv to immediately lift the blockade.

At a meeting on Monday, the European Union Foreign Affairs Committee issued a statement saying, "The continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counterproductive," the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported.

"…in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1860, the EU reiterates its call for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza including goods from the West Bank," the statement added.

Tel Aviv has subjected the Gaza Strip to an all-out land, naval an aerial blockade for almost three years. The restrictions have deprived 1.5 million Palestinians of food, fuel, and other necessities.

In addition, the Israeli military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, killing nine Turkish citizens on board the M.V. Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other people who were part of the team on the six-ship convoy.

Israel also arrested and later released nearly 700 activists from 42 countries who were on board the ships of the Freedom Flotilla, which was attempting to break the siege of Gaza in order to deliver 10,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to the long-suffering people of the territory.

Israeli officials rejected United Nations Secretary General Bank Ki-moon's demand for an international investigation into the incident, insisting they would conduct their own investigation.

The EU foreign ministers statement said there had to be "an immediate, full and impartial inquiry into these events and the circumstances surrounding them. To command the confidence of the international community this should include credible international participation."