Marawi demonstrators denounce Israel attack on flotilla

By Ryan Rosauro
Inquirer Mindanao First

MARAWI CITY, Philippines—Some 500 Muslims burned the Israeli flag during a demonstration here Saturday morning to denounce the May 31 raid by Israeli Defense Forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in which nine people were killed.

Most of the protesters were youth and students carrying red, white and blue flags and streamers with messages such as “justice to the Palestinian people” during protest, which was held at Plaza Cabili and dubbed “Bangsamoro Action Against Israeli Terrorism.”

Abul Alibasa of the Ranaw Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development said they wanted “to register and add our voice to the mounting calls for Israeli accountability” for the flotilla raid and “its stranglehold of the Palestinians in general.”

The Israeli military claimed the flotilla was carrying Hamas terrorists although it was later found that the people aboard the boats were peace activists and aid workers.

The raid became a global issue especially on the question of whether the tiny Jewish state has the right to stage attacks in international waters.

On Saturday, another humanitarian aid flotilla was expected to arrive in Gaza, although Israeli authorities have warned that it would be diverted to another port and the food supplies would be transported to Gaza on trucks. .

“If Israel wants respect, it must also respect the basic rights of other people,” said Alibasa.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front internal affairs chief Abdul Azis Mimbantas said in a message read on his behalf that the flotilla raid was a “gruesome violation of human rights perpetrated in cold blood."

Mimbantas said such action “threatened the existence of humanitarian programs around the world.”

“We join the clamor of our Muslim brothers in Gaza and affirm our unity and solidarity with the international community in condemning the brutal and heart-rending incident,” he added.

Mimbantas also issued an appeal “to all paragons of justice, especially the advocates of human rights… to bring the perpetrators to justice and work on the immediate lifting of the equally inhuman siege in Gaza.”

“Imposing a food blockade against any group of people—regardless of religious affiliations and irrespective of political convictions—is worse because it violates the law of God and of man,” said Rahib Kudto, national president of the United Youth for Peace and Development.

“The barbarity of harming those who help a starving population such as the people of Gaza is beyond the power of words to describe,” Kudto added.

Bobby Benito, executive director of the Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace said the Israeli attack was “an act of brutal state terrorism."

“Israel, like any other state, has the right to defend itself and its territories, but this was an outrageous use of lethal force to defend an outrageous and lethal policy, that is, its blockade of Gaza, where two-thirds of families don't know where they'll find their next meal,” he said.

Benito urged the Moros and peace-building communities to “make this dark moment a turning point (to) arise with an unshakable call for justice, and an unbreakable dream of peace.”