PEPIAT Condemns Israeli Attack against International Humanitarian Aid Flotilla

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South East Asia Muslim Students Federation (PEPIAT)
1st of June 2010

PEPIAT Condemns Israeli Attack against International Humanitarian Aid Flotilla

South East Asia Muslim Students Federation (PEPIAT) strongly condemns the brutal and fatal attack by the Israeli Defence Forces against an international humanitarian aid flotilla of ships (Freedom Flotilla) on international waters which were bringing much needed medical supplies, food, building materials and other necessities into Gaza.

This mission is a collaborative effort between Malaysian NGOs to join an international campaign to break the years of Israel siege on Gaza. They are working with several NGOs which is based in Cyprus, Turkey, Indonesia, and other NGOs from USA, Greece, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Venezuella and many other countries. This convoy has been led by an NGO from Turkey named Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH).

According to the report, these international humanitarian aid flotilla of ships were attacked by Israeli Naval Forces that resulted in the killing of up to 16 people on board these ships and injury of dozens when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday.

In short, we opined that such attacks were totallly illegal, unjustified and disproportionate under international law as the ships intended to supply of 5,000 tons humanitarian resources from donations has been collected such as medicine, medical equipments, generators, food, money to bring relief to the people in Gaza. It is also a devastating and deplorable that the Israeli forces have attacked civilians on the flotilla.

In the name of humanity, we call on international citizens and Muslim community in particular to condemn such attacks by taking to the streets around the world to denounce Israel over its attack on the convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships. We urged all quarter’s particularly Muslim countries to constantly put pressure on Israel by voicing the matter out through international body and review their diplomatic relations with Israel government.

Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz

Secretary General
South East Asia Muslim Students Federation (PEPIAT)