Israel has attacked Gaza Flotilla (dead and wounded)

[Helen Reyes]

http://www.examiner.com/x-45802-India-He...ound-ships

Indians protest Israeli attacks on Gaza-bound ships
June 3, 2:20 PMIndia Headlines ExaminerIbtihal Ahmed


Protests in India's capital, New Delhi
The Hindu Newspaper

Several Indians [sic] took to the streets of New Delhi to protest Israel’s attacks on the ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The protesters who belonged to the Committee for Solidarity with Palestine criticized the Indian government and all aligned parties for their unyielding relations with Israel.

The crowd attempted to march in front of the Israeli Embassy but was prevented.

“Today, the government is shying of even naming Israel as the aggressor of Palestine. The Indian Government should cut off its relations with the Israeli Government,” said one of the speakers at the event.

Speakers included different party leaders including an official from the Communist Party of India and members of the Legislative Assembly.

Israel’s defense trade relations with India have reached $9 billion and India is the largest consumer of Israeli military equipment.

India formally established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 after having been pro-Arab for the most part.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has released a statement on the 31st of May expressing concern following the attacks, “There can be no justification for such indiscriminate use of force, which we condemn.”

Many Arab diplomats in New Delhi criticize the Ministry’s soft stance in which no formal condemnation was made.

“It is interesting to see that the Indian government started off its statement by 'deploring' and not 'condemning' the attacks. Just look at the language.” said an anonymous official in New Delhi.

On May 31st, Israel’s armed forces attacked Gaza-bound ships carrying humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. So far, 19 people have been killed dozens were wounded. The attack took place on international waters 65 kilometers off the Gaza coast.