The Violence against the Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla Must Stop

The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) views the Israeli navy’s storming of the flotilla of ships bearing humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza on 31st May 2010 as unacceptable, and urges an immediate stop to the violence.

The incident on “Mavi Marmara” causing the death of numerous innocent civilians and injuring dozens, visibly violates international law. The Flotilla comprising human rights organizations from many countries, was a symbol of peace intended to provide the suffering Gaza Palestinians with desperately needed humanitarian supplies like food and medicine. The unilateral use of force by the Israeli government to stop such aid reaching the Palestinian people is unjust, and a clear denial of rights of the Palestinian people.

In observing the World Council of Churches’ World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, the Council of Churches of Malaysia joins in solidarity with the Palestinian Christians and church organisations around the world in uniting our voices to seek an immediate stop to the violence and find a way forward to seek lasting peace and justice for the Palestinians so that both Israelis and Palestinians can finally live in peace. The current violence only perpetuates a vicious cycle and makes well–intentioned peaceful efforts for reconciliation, illusive.

The CCM regrets the loss of loved ones, and calls for all churches to pray for the grieving, and for the wellbeing and safe return of all participants in the flotilla, including the eleven Malaysians, and for the world community to act decisively against any violation of international laws.

2nd June 2010