EP condemns Israeli attack, illegal siege of Gaza strip

In a 470-56 vote yesterday, the European Parliament condemned last month's deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which left nine Turkish peace activists dead, as well as the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel. The resolution, drafted jointly by political groups in the EP, called the Israeli attack a breach of international law, and urged all European countries to support a prompt international and impartial inquiry into the raid. In related news, Israel yesterday announced that it was easing its land blockade of Gaza in the face of heightened international criticism since the attack. Commenting on the move, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said Ankara wants to see the effect it will have on the ground. "But our attitude on the issue is clear: we expect the blockade to be lifted altogether," he added.