wfn.org | WCC NEWS: WCC condemns the assault on a Gaza-bound convoy

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>World Council of Churches - News

PUBLIC STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE ASSAULT ON A GAZA-BOUND VESSEL

>For immediate release: 01 June 2010

It is with great distress that the World Council of Churches received
the news that the Israeli naval forces stormed a Gaza-bound vessel
carrying humanitarian aid in international waters before dawn on  Monday,
killing at least 10 civilians and injuring many more. We condemn  the
assault and killing of innocent people who were attempting to deliver
humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, who have been under  a
crippling Israeli blockade since 2007. We further condemn the flagrant
violation of international law by Israel in attacking and boarding  a
humanitarian convoy in international waters. We pray for all those  who are
affected by the attack, especially the bereaved families.

We urge the government of Israel to repatriate those detained by  the
Israeli army.. We call for an immediate release of the impounded  ships,
and an end to the economic blockade of Gaza. It is our considered  opinion
that the legitimate humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza be  met in
accordance with international humanitarian law. We further call  the UN
Security Council to mandate a full investigation into the assault.

The deplorable events which occurred yesterday off the coast of  Gaza remind
us yet again of the pressing need for an end to the Israeli military
occupation of the Palestinian territories.  The World Council of  Churches
reiterates its commitment to work for just and lasting peace in  Palestine
and Israel.

>Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit
>WCC General Secretary

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith,  witness and 
service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship  of churches 
founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant,
Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560  million 
Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the  Roman 
Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse  Tveit, from 
the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.