Israel Compares Flotilla Raid With WWII
Israel's ambassador to the US has compared the deadly raid on the Gaza aid flotilla with America's battles against the Germans in World War Two.
In an interview with Sky's American sister station Fox News, Michael Oren described the operation, in which at least nine people died, as "perfectly legal, perfectly humane - and very responsible".
"Israel has to make some hard choices sometimes," he stressed, "We live in a rough neighbourhood."
When questioned about the global condemnation of the violence and accusations of "state-sponsored piracy on the open seas", he denied there had been any breach of international law in raiding the ships.
"Israel acted in accord with international law," he said.
"Any state has the right to protect itself, certainly from a terrorist threat such as Hamas, including on the open seas.
Alex Watts, Sky News Online
Israel's ambassador to the US has compared the deadly raid on the Gaza aid flotilla with America's battles against the Germans in World War Two.
In an interview with Sky's American sister station Fox News, Michael Oren described the operation, in which at least nine people died, as "perfectly legal, perfectly humane - and very responsible".
"Israel has to make some hard choices sometimes," he stressed, "We live in a rough neighbourhood."
When questioned about the global condemnation of the violence and accusations of "state-sponsored piracy on the open seas", he denied there had been any breach of international law in raiding the ships.
"Israel acted in accord with international law," he said.
"Any state has the right to protect itself, certainly from a terrorist threat such as Hamas, including on the open seas.
Relatives of those believed to have been taking part can contact the Consular Team in London.
A Foreign Office official talking to Sky News
"The US acted under similar international law when it fought the Germans and the Japanese in World War Two."
He reiterated that Israel would immediately deport activists seized from the six-ship flotilla.
Nearly 700 foreign nationals being held in Israeli jails are expected to be deported today and tomorrow.
Some 124 detainees from 12 Muslim nations were taken across the border into Jordan in the early hours of this morning.
It is thought they are from countries that do not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
A total of 42 Britons - including 11 people with dual nationality - are known to have been detained by security forces.
Demonstrators try to set fire to an Israeli flag during a protest near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul
Demonstrators in Istanbul set fire to Israeli flags after the bloodshed
Foreign Secretary William Hague said they will be brought home as soon as possible. Some are already back in the UK.
Meanwhile, President Obama has offered his condolences to Turkey after four Turkish activists were confirmed to have died in the violence.
And Egypt has opened its border crossing with Gaza to allow aid to get through after signing a temporary agreement with Israel.
The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon is holding meetings in New York to discuss the situation.
The UN Security Council has condemned the raid and called for a "prompt, impartial, credible, transparent" investigation.
Gaza: Israel Ambassador Michael Oren Compares Flotilla Raid With World War Two | World News | Sky News
