Statements by President Christofias - Cyprus condemns Israel’s attack against the flotilla
The President of the Republic Mr Demetris Christofias, in statements yesterday regarding the attack by Israeli commandos against the dispatch of humanitarian aid to Gaza, said:
“No one is happy with the continuing blockade, which followed the attack against Gaza in December 2008 with the catastrophic consequences for the Palestinians. The continuation of this blockade violates the international law and provokes human feelings in each one of us.
The position of the Republic of Cyprus on this issue is well known. The killing of people is condemnable by all of us. The loss of lives of non-combatants, in my opinion, constitutes a crime. The information we have is that there are victims and the Government of Israel should retreat because it will receive international condemnation.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus cannot but condemn such actions.”
Replying to a press question on whether the President of the Republic had any contact with his EU counterparts on this issue, President Christofias said that he had no contact. He noted that the EU has already reacted and that he expects other international organisations, such as the United Nations Organisation, to react as well.
Asked whether the Government has changed its policy in relation to the activists, the President of the Republic said that the Government has not changed its policy. “We had a contact and on the basis of this contact we made an appeal, which unfortunately was not heeded”, the President said and underlined that the results are unacceptable on the part of Israel. He also stressed that the Cyprus Government cannot be responsible for the consequences of actions, activists and governments.
