Norway supports the UN Security Council’s demand for a transparent, impartial investigation of the Israeli operations against the convoy of ships attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In a statement dated 31 May, the UN Security Council condemns the acts that led to the loss of civilian lives when Israeli naval forces boarded the convoy carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The statement underscores the need for a prompt, impartial and credible investigation of the incident.
- The Security Council’s statement shows that the entire international community condemns the Israeli raid on the convoy carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza. I welcome the Security Council’s demand for a transparent and impartial investigation of the Israeli military operation, which is something I also took up with the UN Secretary-General yesterday. It is in Israel’s interests to cooperate on such an investigation, said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The Security Council stresses that the situation in Gaza is not sustainable and underscores the need to allow necessary goods into the area.
- Norway has repeatedly called for an end to the blockade of Gaza so that humanitarian aid and other necessary assistance can reach the Palestinian population. This is important not least to enable the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Assistance to the Palestinians (AHLC) to fulfil its Security Council mandate concerning the reconstruction of Gaza after the war, said Mr Støre.
In its statement, the Security Council calls for full consular access to those who were on board the ships and who are now detained in Israel. It also calls on the Israeli authorities to release those detained and their ships. The three Norwegian nationals who were on board the convoy have been identified by the Israeli authorities, and are now being detained in the Beer Sheva prison.
According to Israeli authorities, the 620 activists will be deported within 48 hours.
