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The Netherlands requests clarification from Israel on violent interception of ships to Gaza

News item | 31-05-2010

The Netherlands has called for an investigation of the violence that occurred when the Israel military boarded several ships bound for the Gaza Strip with aid supplies. This view was expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen in reaction to reports that more than ten people on the ships were killed during the operation.

I want clarification today from the Israeli ambassador in The Hague,' said Mr Verhagen. 'I was shocked to hear of the fatalities. The Netherlands wants a thorough investigation into how this could have happened.'

The ships, which were part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, were carrying passengers from many countries. The Israeli authorities refused to allow the ships to pass, though they did offer to unload the aid supplies in the Israeli port of Ashdod and to transport them to Gaza over land, following a security inspection.

Since various incidents of fighting in and around the area, the borders of the Gaza Strip have been open to only a limited quantity of humanitarian aid supplies. The Netherlands would like Israel to open the borders fully to humanitarian aid, trade and human traffic.

'Today's incident, which occurred just as talks between Israel and the Palestinians had resumed, does not help the cause of peace,' said the minister. 'I hope that this does not end up derailing negotiations.'

See also

• Netherlands supports Security Council call for Gaza convoy inquiry (Newsflash Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 2 June 2010)