WILPF has joined with other civil society organisations to condemn the unprovoked attack on the flotilla taking aid to Gaza. This is a seminal moment in the history of the United Nations. A failure by member States to respond using all appropriate mechanisms to address violations of international law by Israel will bring the organisation into disrepute and cause greater instability and insecurity in an already insecure region. Many States have already called for an investigation. The Women's international league for peace and freedom endorses that call, but would go further.

WILPF believes that a broader investigation is needed which incorporates, not just the killings on the 31st May but looks at a system wide failure in the mechanisms for protection.

Israeli forces have prevented humanitarian aid from entering Gaza before. The first ship organised by Free Gaza set sail in December 2008. It was rammed at sea by the Israeli navy, crippling the vessel and threatening lives. Israeli forces were trained to stop the flotilla.

What of the States who arm and provide weapons systems for Israel? Some of which may have actually been used in the assault on the flotilla, killing and injuring people of various nationalities. WILPF will argue that States are and have been on notice since Goldstone reported, that it is reasonably foreseeable that Israel will use these weapons in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. The complicity of States selling arms to Israel must also come under scrutiny.

States must re examine their polices in light of the Israeli conduct and WILPF calls for consideration of a trade and arms embargo on that country.

We must stand ashamed at what has happened and we must hold Israel to account.

WILPF Sections in Israel and Palestine have issued statements on the Israeli raid on the Gaza Aid Flotilla

Read them by following the links below

WILPF Palestine

WILPF Israel

Also on the international WILPF website you can read the statement from the United Nations Human Rights Council which has voted to set up an international investigation.