Liberal International Resolution on the Middle East

At the weekend Executive of Liberal International in Berlin, I successfully moved (on behalf of the British Liberal Democrats) an urgency resolution following on the recent Israeli attack on the Gaza aid flotilla. Though it was slightly softened after negotiation with the Germans and Dutch, it is by the far the strongest statement to have come out of any of the political internationals so far. Only two people present at the Executive voted against it (both Israelis, surprise, surprise!). The text reads:

Liberal International Executive in Berlin:

– deplores the use of force by Israeli commandos in stopping the flotilla carrying aid to Gaza;

– deplores the violence used by some activists on board the flotilla;

– expresses shock at the resultant deaths and injuries aboard the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara, and at the treatment of its crew and passengers;

– demands the resotration of the liberty of the Israeli Arabs who have been on board the flotilla;

– supports the UN Security Council’s call for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent inquiry into this violent clash between Israeli armed forces and activists to avoid immense future damage to both Israel’s reputation and its security;

– [believes] the inquiry must fully examine the actions of all parties, including claims of weapons possession, and establish the precise facts and responsiblity for the chain of events, and report for consideration to the Security Council;

– strongly calls on the Middle East Quartet, and the US government in particular, to urge all partuies to return to the Road Map and observe international law.

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