LONDON, June 1, (AFP): British Prime Minister David Cameron described Israel’s raid of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla as “unacceptable” and urged the Jewish state to “respond constructively” to criticism of its actions.
In a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Monday, Cameron said Britain “deplored the heavy loss of life” after at least nine people died when Israeli commandos stormed an aid ship.
Cameron insisted Britain remained committed to Israel’s security, but urged Netanyahu to make a constructive response to “legitimate” international critcism.
“He reiterated the UK’s strong commitment to Israel’s security, but urged Israel to respond constructively to legitimate criticism of its actions, and to do everything possible to avoid a repeat of this unacceptable situation,” a spokesman for Cameron said.
“The PM also stressed the importance of urgently lifting the blockade of Gaza, and allowing full access for humanitarian aid.”
British Foreign Secretary William Hague called for a “full and impartial and independent investigation or inquiry” into Monday’s events off the coast of Gaza.
“It is very important that Israel acts with restraint and in line with international obligations in any case such as this,” Hague said.
“We will all want to know more about whether more could have been done to minimise the risks or to reduce the number of deaths and injuries.
“That is why we agree with our EU partners and other international partners that there must be a full and impartial and independent investigation or inquiry into these events.”
The aid ship was carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists and thousands of tonnes of supplies.
Hague said the storming of the ship highlighted the need for an end to the “unacceptable and counter-productive” restrictions on aid entering the Palestinian territories.
Netanyahu, speaking in Ottawa before cancelling a planned visit to Washington to return to Israel, expressed “regret” over the loss of life but said Israeli troops had acted to “defend their lives.”
One Briton was injured when Israeli troops intercepted a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Monday, as he called for an independent inquiry into the incident.
Hague said British officials had been allowed to see the injured British national, and the Foreign Office was seeking access to any other Britons caught up in the storming of one of the ships which killed at least nine people.
Around 40 Britons were aboard a flotilla of ships heading to Gaza on which nine people were killed in a raid by Israeli commandos, the Foreign Office said Tuesday.
“We believe there are roughly 40 British nationals involved in the flotilla, though given the confused situation, we are urgently trying to establish the exact figure, as well as make sure we have consular access to them all,” a spokesman said.
As officials rushed for clarification, relatives of those on board spoke of their concern about the fate of their loved ones, who are thought to be in an Israeli detention centre.
“It’s absolutely terrible not knowing what has happened to him and it’s terrible that the British government hasn’t done more but they don’t want to fall out with Israel,” said Rachel Bridgeland, whose partner Peter Venner was one of those on board.