Theurer: "There is Lack of Critical Reflection on the Side of the Organisers of the So Called Peace Flotilla. Why Are Peace Activists Looking for Confrontation?"

STRASBOURG, France and BRUSSELS, June 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- European Parliament Member and Member of the Israel Delegation Michael Theurer is deeply shocked by the unnecessary loss of life on the Mavi Marmara ship in the early morning hours of the 31st of May.

He commented, "When the so called "peace flotilla" set out towards Gaza in mid May it was clear from the start that their mission was not truly to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, but rather to break the blockade Israel set up in order to control the many weapons being smuggled to Hamas.

"Humanitarian aid is being delivered to Gaza through controlled land channels every day. The mission of the flotilla was to provoke the Israeli military in order to get the worlds media attention. Sadly the Israeli military walked into the trap and reacted to the provocation."

Michael Theurer also asked: "What are civilians doing in a conflict region and why are peace activists looking for confrontation?"

The German Member of the European Parliament further wonders: "How would Sudan or Iran react to foreigners entering a militarised zone? What would the Pakistani Punjabi military do, if activists tried to enter the closed areas of Balochistan or Gilgit against the will of the military? I am sure the death toll would have been higher."

"To be precise, Israel is not Sudan, Iran or Pakistan. As a democratic state the Israeli government has to take the responsibility for the outcome of the tragic military operation. I solely would like to stress that also the organisers of this mission need to critically reflect upon their responsibility for the deaths of nine civilians they transported into a conflict zone", Theurer said.

Michael Theurer MEP

SOURCE The Office of European MP Michael Theurer