A six-ship convoy carrying aid to Palestinians in Gaza was attacked by Israeli commandoes, leaving at least nine dead and earning condemnations from around the world. The Washington Post reports, "The European Union called for an inquiry into the deaths. And the United Nations Security Council planned to meet Monday afternoon for an emergency session. The United States expressed regret at the loss of the life and said it was 'working to understand the circumstances of the tragedy.'" Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called it "state terrorism."
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in Canada, was scheduled to meet President Obama tomorrow, but is heading back to Israel tonight. Netanyahu also said the Israeli forces were acting in self-defense (and Israel released video of the raid), but Free Gaza, which organized the aid, said the Israelis "immediately opened fire on unarmed civilians."
The flotilla had left Cyprus yesterday and was expected in Gaza today. Free Gaza says at least 30 people were injured on their ships, while the Israeli military says at least 10 were injured on its side. The NY Times points out that the criticisms from around the world "offered a propaganda coup to Israel’s foes, particularly Hamas, the militant group that holds sway in Gaza, and damaged Israel’s ties to Turkey, one of its most important Muslim partners and the unofficial sponsor of the convoy."
