World condemns Israel raid on Gaza aid convoy

People all over the world have protested against Israel's attack on an aid-carrying convoy bound for Gaza that left several pro-Palestinian activists on board dead and many more injured.

The Freedom Flotilla, a convoy of six ships carrying hundreds of activists, political leaders and journalists from around the world, was trying to deliver about 10,000 tonnes of basic aid including food, medicines, and construction material, in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

While Israel has said activists with bats and knives were the first to attack the gun-wielding troops when they boarded the ship, the flotilla's organisers said that Israeli forces were the ones to open fire first.

Nonetheless, there is a unanimous agreement across the world that the assault was unjustly disproportionate.

Ban Ki-moon, the UN chief, has said he is "shocked by reports of killings and injuries" and has called for a full investigation into the incident.

Several countries have called for urgent meetings on Israel's lethal use of force.

Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh and Nadim Baba report on the reactions of political leaders and ordinary people across the world.

[May 31, 2010]

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