France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Friday condemned the "blind and cowardly terrorism" in Pakistan after a wave of deadly militant attacks against religious minorities... feedproxy.google.com | 9/3/10 10:47 PM

France and Russia are expected to hold a meeting next week with security partnership to top its agenda, the French Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov and Defense Minister Alexei Serdyoukov are due to fly to Paris in Sept. 7 to meet their French counterparts Bernard Kouchner and Herve Morin in the framework of the 9th session of French-Russian security cooperation council (CCQS). "Ministers will discuss during the plenary session the main issues relatin ... english.people.com.cn | 9/3/10 5:08 PM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has deplored the absence of the European Union from direct talks between Israel and Palestine, which are due to start today (2 September) in Washington.

www.euractiv.com | 9/2/10 6:45 AM

France's Bernard Kouchner, Japan's Katsuya Okada, and Belgium's Charles Michel discuss innovative financing to fund development projects that will help lift up the world's poorest people.

www.topix.net | 8/31/10 9:09 PM

One cabinet member who may be on his way is foreign minister Bernard Kouchner, who said he had considered resigning over the Roma expulsions. www.dailymail.co.uk | 8/31/10 10:17 AM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, formerly a high-profile humanitarian activist, said he had considered resigning over the controversy sparked by the expulsions of Roma from France to their home countries, Bulgaria and Romania. Even Prime Minister François Fillon admitted he had "differences" with President Nicolas Sarkozy over his immigration policy.

www.euractiv.com | 8/31/10 6:40 AM

Bernard Kouchner, a long-term humanitarian advocate, said he came close to stepping down over the French government's new law and order crusade against the Roma gypsies. feedproxy.google.com | 8/30/10 11:49 PM

Bernard Kouchner, a long-term humanitarian advocate, said he came close to stepping down over the French government's new law and order crusade against the Roma gypsies. feedproxy.google.com | 8/30/10 11:45 PM

Bernard Kouchner, a long-term humanitarian advocate, said he came close to stepping down over the French government's new law and order crusade against the Roma gypsies. feedproxy.google.com | 8/30/10 11:38 PM

Bernard Kouchner, a long-term humanitarian advocate, said he came close to stepping down over the French government's new law and order crusade against the Roma gypsies. feedproxy.google.com | 8/30/10 11:29 PM

Bernard Kouchner, a long-term humanitarian advocate, said he came close to stepping down over the French government's new law and order crusade against the Roma gypsies. feedproxy.google.com | 8/30/10 11:24 PM

Government cracks over France's expulsion of Roma gypsies broke out into the open on Monday as Bernard Kouchner, the foreign minister, said he considered resigning over the policy. www.canada.com | 8/30/10 10:43 PM

Government cracks over France's expulsion of Roma gipsies broke out into the open as Bernard Kouchner, the foreign minister, said he considered resigning over the policy. www.telegraph.co.uk | 8/30/10 5:52 PM

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Saturday said it welcomes a bigger role by the European Union (EU) into Middle East peace talks. "The PNA supports an EU representation in sponsoring the peace process and welcomes more European engagement in it," Ghassan Al- Shak'a, a senior official from Palestine Liberation Organization ( PLO), told reporters. Al-Shak'a's remarks were in response to French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner who demanded that the EU be represented in the negotia ... english.people.com.cn | 8/29/10 5:10 AM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stressed on Friday the importance of international justice... www.naharnet.com | 8/28/10 11:18 AM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has denied that France is "stigmatising a minority" by expelling thousands of Roma from the country, saying that the government accepts "criticism" of its policies, but not "caricature". www.france24.com | 8/28/10 9:17 AM

France has urged Europe to threaten targeted sanctions against the Iranian regime over the case of a woman sentenced to be stoned to death, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's office said Friday.

Kouchner has written to European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to call for a joint letter from all 27 member states to Tehran, warning against the execution of 43-year-old Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani.

www.france24.com | 8/27/10 9:46 AM

France decided on Monday to send more humanitarian aid to flood-ravaged Pakistan, in response to an urgent call for help from both Pakistan and the United Nations. "Given the exceptional gravity of the situation in Pakistan, Bernard Kouchner decided to send a plane carrying 60 tons of humanitarian aid in response to requests made by Pakistan and the United Nations," the ministry said in a statement. The cargo includes 35 tonnes of emergency supplies -- tarpaulins, tanks, blankets, jerry c ... english.people.com.cn | 8/16/10 8:02 PM

France condemned on Saturday the Taliban's assassination of 10 medical workers including eight foreigners in the Afghan province of Badakhshan. "It is with great emotion that I heard the news ... It is with great energy that I condemn this cowardly and cruel act that demonstrates a profound contempt for human life," Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, said in a statement. The top diplomat reiterated Paris' support for Afghanistan to crack down on Taliban insurgents and r ... english.people.com.cn | 8/7/10 7:04 PM

The murder of eight foreign medical aid workers in northern Afghanistan was a "cowardly and cruel" act, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Saturday."This... feedproxy.google.com | 8/7/10 9:21 AM

Bernard Kouchner toured three countries in West Africa after French citizen killed during weekend by al-Qaida's North African branch www1.voanews.com | 7/28/10 3:50 PM

France stands alongside northern African countries tackling Al-Qaeda, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Tuesday on a tour of the region days after militants said they executed... feedproxy.google.com | 7/27/10 10:21 PM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said after talks with Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Monday that France would fight Islamic extremism in the region following the killing of a French hostage by an al Qaeda group. www.france24.com | 7/27/10 9:02 AM

The move is aimed at giving the Palestinians more legitimacy as they push for an independent state, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

www.nytimes.com | 7/27/10 6:41 AM

The French government has upgraded its diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority to help speed the creation of a Palestinian state, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday, dpa reported. www.topix.net | 7/27/10 5:30 AM

France announced on Monday its decision to upgrade the diplomatic status of the Palestinian delegation in Paris from "delegation general" to "mission." "We consider it appropriate ... to take a further step in enhancing the status of the Delegation General of Palestine in France," Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement. The decision "applicable without delay" would accordingly change the name of the Palestinian delegation to "Mission of Palestine," and the title of the deleg ... english.people.com.cn | 7/26/10 4:58 PM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was due Monday evening in Mauritania, after the execution by al-Qaeda of French hostage Michel Germaneau, a government source said in... feedproxy.google.com | 7/26/10 9:24 AM

In this edition of The Interview, France 24 correspondent Matthieu Mabin sits down with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Kabul for a wide-ranging discussion over France's role in the international coalition in Afghanistan. www.france24.com | 7/20/10 2:11 PM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Thursday accused Russia of violating a ceasefire with Georgia... www.naharnet.com | 7/15/10 11:07 PM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner condemned Monday the twin explosions in Kampala, the capital of Ugandan, which killed at least 70 people. "I condemn in the strongest term the attacks that took place in Kampala on Sunday," Kouchner said in a statement. "The barbaric doers of these actions should be identified, sought out and brought to face justice," said the minister, who also expressed condolences to families of the victims. The statement concluded with France's support for th ... english.people.com.cn | 7/11/10 11:37 PM

Exiled Darfur rebel leader Abdelwahid Nur has decided to support peace talks brokered by Qatar, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Friday.Nur, the head of the... feedproxy.google.com | 7/9/10 8:19 AM

Prime Minister Saad Hariri met late Tuesday with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner at his residence... www.naharnet.com | 7/7/10 10:17 AM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has promised a closer relationship with Africa, the day after Alain Joyandet stepped down as secretary of state for cooperation. The Elysée has stressed, though, that the office for cooperation has not been suspended or diminished. allafrica.com | 7/6/10 6:38 PM

France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday that journalists and aid workers would be excluded from a government bill which would see tourists charged if they get into trouble abroad when they have ignored travel advice about the area. www.france24.com | 7/6/10 10:39 AM

Two French journalists held hostage by the Taliban militia are still in Afghanistan, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Sunday.He told TV5 television, Radio France... feedproxy.google.com | 6/20/10 10:18 PM

Israel is reluctant to grant European Union oversight of Gaza-bound ships in the wake of the Jewish state's raid on an aid flotilla, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner... feedproxy.google.com | 6/10/10 8:02 AM

Slapping new UN sanctions on Iran to rein in its suspect nuclear program does not exclude the possibility of new talks with Tehran, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said... feedproxy.google.com | 6/9/10 11:41 PM

A controversial global bank tax that has split G20 nations will be brought up at the next meeting of the world's leading economies, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said... feedproxy.google.com | 6/9/10 11:41 PM

Slapping new UN sanctions on Iran to rein in its suspect nuclear program does not exclude the possibility of talks with Tehran, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said... feedproxy.google.com | 6/9/10 11:02 PM

The European Union could help monitor traffic into Gaza to ensure humanitarian supplies reached the blockaded enclave without weapons getting in as well, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Sunday. www.canada.com | 6/7/10 7:50 AM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner proposed that the EU could step in and check the cargo on ships bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip in an attempt to lower tensions following an Israeli raid on aid ships last week, DPA reported. www.topix.net | 6/7/10 7:32 AM

William Hague and his french counterpart Bernard Kouchner have called on an "international" inquiry to resolve the dispute over Israel's raid on Gaza aid ships. www.telegraph.co.uk | 6/6/10 9:55 PM

There have been heated discussions on UN Security Council reform in Nice ahead of the opening of the France-Africa summit on Monday. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said a "lively" discussion took place on Sunday evening with African foreign ministers. allafrica.com | 6/1/10 7:51 AM

By Stephen Lendman

Even America's major media can't duck a crime this grave - attacking and slaughtering up to 20 Gaza Freedom Flotilla activists and injuring dozens more.

New York Times writer Isabel Kershner headlined "At Least 10 Killed as Israel Intercepts Aid Flotilla, saying:

"The Israeli Navy raided a flotilla carrying thousands of tons of supplies for Gaza in international waters on Monday morning....The incident drew widespread international condemnation, with Israeli envoys summoned to explain their country's actions in several European countries....The killings also coincided with preparations for a planned visit to Washington on Tuesday (June 1) by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Times carried similar reports, trying, but hardly able to downplay a major crime.

The UK-based Stop the War Coalition called it "Yet another act of Israeli barbarism" in announcing an "emergency demonstration" at 2:00PM near the prime minister's Downing Street residence, saying spread the word and come.

In Gaza, thousands protested, expressing anger, outrage and sympathy, carrying banners condemning willful crimes, and calling for Arab solidarity. Similar demonstrations turned out in Amman, Cairo, Damascus, Tehran, Ankara, Istanbul, Beirut and other regional cities.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed the Flotilla organizers for inciting the attack, while his deputy, Danny Alalon said they were connected to international terrorist organizations and were trying to smuggle in arms. Weapons were found on board, he claimed.

At a hastily called news conference, sparsely attended, he referred to "the armada of hate and violence in support of the Hamas terror organization," accusing peaceful activists of a "premeditated and outrageous provocation," saying "The organizers are well known for their ties with global Jihad, Al Qaeda and Hamas. (Their) intent was violent, their method was violent, and the results were unfortunately violent."

Shameless lies from a criminal caught red-handed, Haaretz's Gideon Levy saying:

"The Israeli propaganda machine has reached new highs (distributing) false information. It embarrassed itself by entering a futile public relations battle....There is nothing to explain, certainly not to a world that will never buy (its) web of explanations, lies and tactics."

In Washington, of course, they're echoed along with toned down pious indignation publicly, but privately, assurances of solid US-Israeli relations are affirmed.

On May 31, White House spokesman William Burton said:

"The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy," stopping short of condemning crimes too grave to ignore and demanding harsh measures in response to premeditated slaughter.

Much the same from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (a reliable Israeli ally) stating:

"It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place. I believe Israel must urgently provide a full explanation," stopping short of demanding it and full accountability.

Saying he "deplored in the strongest terms the killing of civilians," Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, like his EU counterparts, said it was "indispensable that there be an inquest to ascertain the facts, which are still not clear."

They're very clear. Israeli forces planned and executed a premeditated attack against peaceful humanitarian activists, trying to deliver essential to life aid to Gazans under siege - to break Israel's attempt to suffocate and starve them.

The Wall Street Journal online headlined "More than 10 Dead After Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Convoy," saying (like most US media reports) that "An Israeli military spokesman said later in the day that some activists 'appeared' to be armed with guns, and fired at the Israeli soldiers, though it wasn't clear who fired first."

The activists, in fact, were unarmed civilians, delivering vitally needed humanitarian aid to 1.5 million Gazans, trapped under siege for three years this month. Without provocation, they were maliciously and willfully attacked in international waters by armed Israeli commandos with orders to open fire if the convoy failed to abort its mission.

The best Journal writer Joshua Mitnick could say was "whether the military action was warranted or not (it) threatens to further sully Israel's international reputation, after a series of recent diplomatic setbacks."

No mention of the Gaza war, daily West Bank and East Jerusalem incursions, the three-year siege, a 43-year occupation, daily killings, targeted assassinations, homes bulldozed, mass arrests, torture, and Palestinian communities throughout the Territories and in Israel threatened by daily terror.

No mention by European nations either, the EU merely calling for a full inquiry, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (a staunch Israeli supporter) saying he was "deeply shocked by the 'tragic' consequences of Israel's military operation (against) a humanitarian initiative," but little else. The same hypocrisy echoed from most European capitals, much like already from Washington.

Turkey's Communist Party's press statement, in contrast, said:

"The pirate commandos trained by Israel Naval Forces mounted an operation this morning to capture the flotilla carrying aid to Gaza and slaughtered unarmed civilians in the course of this outrageous operation."

Calling the attack "barbarous," it "demanded" immediate deportation of Israel's diplomatic mission, cancellation of Turkish-Israeli military and other agreements, and Israel held fully accountable for its crime against humanity - its specialty against civilians and nonviolent activists.

Al Jazeera reported that "Thousands of Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news (shouting) 'Damn Israel' as police blocked them."

It also said Israeli radio confirmed at least 19 were killed and dozens injured, quoting IDF spokeswoman, Avital Leibovich, saying, "This happened in waters outside Israeli territory, but we have the right to defend ourselves," - the usual response from scoundrels caught red-handed.

Video footage on board the Turkish passenger ship Mavi Marmara showed Israeli commandos opened fire during the assault, activists saying it began immediately after storming on board.

Al Zazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, on the ship, said "a white surrender flag was raised (and) there was no live fire coming from the passengers."

The Free Gaza Movement reported that "Under darkness of night, Israeli commandos dropped from a helicopter onto the Turkish passenger ship, Mavi Marmara, and began to shoot the moment their feet hit the deck." No action on board provoked it. It was premeditated, willful slaughter.

The Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement expressed sorrow in denouncing the attack, citing it as further "proof that despite claims to the contrary, Israel never 'disengaged' from the Gaza Strip but rather continues to control its borders - land, air and sea....hermetically (cutting off) 1.5 million human beings (from) access to the outside world" and vitally needed humanitarian aid.

Netanyahu's spokesman, Mark Regev, claimed "They initiated the violence," and the IDF insisted it responded when its forces "were attacked with knives, clubs, and even live fire." Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said soldiers were forced by violent acts to respond with live fire.

They lied.

Viewing the video footage, Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin reported that:

"All the images being shown from the activists on board those ships show clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in nature, with medical (and other humanitarian) supplies on board."

Other footage showed black-clad commandos descending from helicopters, then immediately opening fire on deck against peaceful activists.

Israeli forces seized the ship and a smaller one, took them to Israel's port of Ashdod, and censored all information on the assault.

The Flotilla, with 700 activists, left Cyprus at 3:00PM (1200 GMT) Sunday, on the last leg of their journey, heading for Gaza, hoping to arrive by daylight. Six hours after departure, three Israeli missile boats left Haifa to interdict it, according to reporters on board before being ordered to turn off their cell phones.

The convoy hoped to break the siege and deliver over 10,000 tons of vitally needed aid, including food, medicines, educational, construction, and other materials. Israel warned it would intercept and abort the mission, giving no details except to say ships would be seized, then taken to Ashdod.

A May 31 Gaza Freedom March.org press release called for a "global response to killings on the Freedom Flotilla," saying:

"We, Gaza based Palestinian Civil Society Organizations and international activists, call on the international community and civil society to pressure their governments and Israel to cease the abductions and killings....against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla....and begin a global response to hold Israel accountable for the murder of foreign civilians at sea and illegal piracy of civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza."

"We, from Gaza, call on you to demonstrate and support the courageous men and women on the Flotilla and join the many now murdered on a humanitarian aid mission. We insist on severance of diplomatic ties with Israel, trials for war crimes and the international protection of the civilians of Gaza. We call on you to join the growing international boycott, divestment and sanction campaign of a country proving again" to be an international outlaw. "Join a growing critical mass around the world with a commitment to the day when Palestinian are entitled to the same rights as (all) other people, when the siege is lifted, the occupation over and the 6 million Palestinian refugees are finally granted justice."

Stand in solidarity for their freedom in peace, and demand nothing less, including full accountability for Israeli officials responsible for high crimes of war and against humanity.

On board the Flottilla are over 700 activists from 40 countries, including 35 politicians and a Nobel Peace laureate, Mairead McGuire, who protesting with Bil'in village activists against Israel's Separation Wall, in April 2007, was shot and injured with a rubber bullet, then tear-gassed, overcome, and had to be taken by stretcher to an ambulance.

Again, she and 700 others risked their lives to deliver vitally needed aid. In solidarity, people of conscience everywhere must support them and demand full accountability for the latest Israeli crimes too grave to ignore.

- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. He contributed this article to PalestineChronicle.com.

palestinechronicle.com | 5/31/10 4:01 PM

By Palestine Chronicle Staff

Israel today stormed a flotilla of ships carrying aid to Gaza, killing up to 20 activists and injuring dozens. The ships, several of them Turkish, were carrying medical equipment and other aid on a mission to highlight the three-year-old Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory. The attack took place 40 miles out to sea, in international waters.

The following are selected statements made in response to the Israeli attack on the civilian ships:

Greta Berlin, Free Gaza Movement Spokesperson: “It's disgusting that they have come on board and attacked civilians. We are civilians. How could the Israeli military attack civilians like this? Do they think that because they can attack Palestinians indiscriminately they can attack anyone?” (BBC)

Navi Pillay, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: "I am shocked by reports that humanitarian aid was met with violence early this morning, reportedly causing death and injury as the boat convoy approached the Gaza coast .. the [Gaza] blockade keeps undermining human rights on a daily basis .. The current situation falls far short of what is necessary for the population to lead normal and dignified lives." (Press TV)

Amr Moussa, Arab League Secretary-General: “The Arab League strongly condemns this terrorist act.” (BBC)

Ismail Haniyeh, democratically-elected Prime Minister of Palestine: "The Palestinian government honors the convoy's effort to break the siege. We consider all of the killed as Palestinian martyrs, martyrs of the siege on Gaza." (Press TV)

Ayman Mohyeldin, Al Jazeera’s reporter in Jerusalem: "All the images being shown from the activists on board those ships show clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in nature, with medical supplies on board. So it will surprise many in the international community to learn what could have possibly led to this type of confrontation." (Aljazeera)

Turkish Foreign Ministry: "(The interception on the convoy) is unacceptable ... Israel will have to endure the consequences of this behavior." (Agencies and Aljazeera)

Mark Regev, Israeli Prime Minister’s Spokesperson: “Though our naval servicemen were instructed to exercise maximum restraint, they were attacked. They were attacked with knives, with iron clubs, and also with live fire. We have unfortunately 10 servicemen injured, one of them very, very seriously. The violence was initiated unfortunately by these activists, and this is regrettable.” (BBC)

Senior UN Officials Report Serry and Filippo Grandi: “We are shocked by reports of killings and injuries of people on board boats carrying supplies for Gaza, apparently in international waters. We condemn the violence and call for it to stop. The situation is still ongoing and we are awaiting confirmation of what has happened. We wish to make clear that such tragedies are entirely avoidable if Israel heeds the repeated calls of the international community to end its counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza.” (BBC)

Ramzy Baroud, Palestinian-US journalist and author of My Father was a Freedom Fighter, Gaza’s Untold Story: “What Israel has done tonight is most barbaric. It’s an unmitigated crime against humanity and no one with a living conscious and a shred of humanity can stand idle as a sophisticated army attacks and slaughters international peace activists carrying medicine and toys while on their way to supporting a besieged nation. However, the murder of those activists, and the wounding and the arrest of hundreds will forever cement the ties between Palestine and international peace and justice forces the world over. Starting tonight, this conflict is no longer Israel vs. Palestine, but a criminal state vs. humanity.” (PalestineChronicle.com)

Uri Avnery, Israeli journalist: “This night a crime was perpetrated in the middle of the sea, by order of the government of Israel and the IDF Command A warlike attack against aid ships and deadly shooting at peace and humanitarian aid activists It is a crazy thing that only a government that crossed all red lines can do.” (Gush Shalom)

Mahmoud Abbas, acting Palestinian President: "What Israel has committed on board the Freedom Flotilla was a massacre." (Wafa news agency)

A spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, EU foreign policy chief: the official "expresses her deep regret at the news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families of the dead and wounded. On behalf of the European Union she demands a full inquiry about the circumstances in which this happened. ... She calls for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza." (Associated Press)

Daniel Ayalon, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister: “The armada of hate and violence in support of [the] Hamas terror organisation was a premeditated and outrageous provocation. The organisers are well known for their ties with global jihad, al-Qaeda and Hamas. They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror.” (BBC)

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas’s Spokesman: “We in Hamas consider the Israeli attack on the freedom flotilla as a great crime and a huge violation of international law. In spite of the great harm suffered by the people who joined this flotilla, we consider that their message has been delivered. Thanks to these heroes from other countries who showed their solidarity with Gaza, the Israeli siege is now an international issue and we consider that the occupiers, through this crime, are the ones under siege now.” (BBC)

Bernard Kouchner, French Foreign Minister: “I am profoundly shocked by the tragic consequences of the Israeli military operation against the peace flotilla for Gaza. Nothing can justify the use of violence such as this, which we condemn. The circumstances of this drama must be fully brought to light and we wish for a thorough inquiry to be put in place without delay.” (BBC)

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran: “The inhuman action of the Zionist regime against the Palestinian people and preventing the humanitarian aid from reaching Gazans does not show this regime's strength, but is a sign of its weakness, and all this brings this sinister and fake regime closer than ever to its end.” (BBC)

Turkish protesters: "Down with Zionist, Israeli imperialism." (The Guardian)

palestinechronicle.com | 5/31/10 11:05 AM

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday he was "deeply shocked" by an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and insisted "nothing can justify" such violence... feedproxy.google.com | 5/31/10 11:02 AM

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The French Foreign Ministry condemned Monday Israel's attack against an international flotilla to Gaza, saying it was shocked to know the news. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement that he was shocked to know the news and couldn't understand Israel's attack in the context that the initiative of the flotilla was known by international community already. "Nothing can justify the use of such a violence that we condemn," Kouchner said. "All light must be shed on the circums ... english.people.com.cn | 5/27/10 6:13 AM

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