Photos of demonstrations around the world denouncing the Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla in which at least nine people, mostly Turks, were killed and dozens injured, were spread over the front pages of most newspapers. 'Israel assassinates the flotilla of freedom, sparking an international uprising', read the banner of the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper. Al-Hayat ran a photo of Israeli military boats besieging the flotilla and another picture showing one of the thousands of Turks waiving the Palestinian flag in Istanbul. "This is the behaviour of a killer who has long escaped punishment so his lust for murder has doubled. This has turned into a policy and method of dealing and communicating [with others]," Al-Hayat wrote in its editorial. "We write in anger. Yesterday's massacre is more than we can bear. Yesterday's insult is more than we can swallow. The scene is painful for Arabs, Turks, Muslims and everyone who believes in [the values of] truth, justice, human dignity and international legitimacy," the editorial continues. "We know the balance of power and limitations. But this crime must not go unpunished. The UN Security Council has to defend its raison d'être. The United States must assume its responsibilities. The same should be done by the world powers," the editorial concluded. The London-based daily Asharq Al-Awsat ran similar banners. 'International storm against Israel; 12 countries recall their ambassadors; demonstrations sweeping the world' were among the front page headlines. On its Internet edition, the newspaper ran photos of protesters demonstrating outside the Israeli consulate in Hong Kong with banners reading 'Justice to the victims of the flotilla raid'. In Asharq Al-Awsat Abdel-Rahman Al-Rashed wrote that the Israeli attack on the fleet aimed at harming possibilities of resuming the peace process. Al-Rashed argues that although Israel could have allowed the ship to enter its waters, as it did others, "it chose an armed attack because it wanted to sabotage the peace talks." Although there were other options, Al-Rashed wrote, it is clear that the [Israeli] instructions were to kill a number of unarmed activists. Some of the bullets were directed to the head, which confirms the intention of premeditated murder. "Why did Israel attack the fleet in international waters instead of the territorial waters of occupied Gaza? The reason is that the Israeli leadership knows that the propaganda will be greater, the case will be more complex, and the moderate powers in the region will have no chance but to retreat, causing the train of negotiations to derail," Al-Rashed wrote. Ali Ibrahim, also in Asharq Al-Awsat, asked if it was a coincidence "that every time effort is exerted to kick-start the peace process, Israel comes up with a significant operation that inflames public opinion. Is this being done deliberately? Does it reflect an unwillingness to reach a peace agreement?" Ibrahim, however, pointed out Israel's diplomatic losses resulting from the assault. "Anybody monitoring the initial response to the attack can see the extent of Israel's diplomatic losses. The condemnations have come from across the world, and the astonished responses by this behaviour come from Israel's friends and allies," Ibrahim wrote. Ibrahim added, "these responses raise questions about whether Israeli politicians and decision-makers are aware of the reality that we live in today, and the limitations of and restrictions on the use of acceptable force by states." The UAE newspaper Al-Bayan wrote the raid was "a crime against humanity" and an example of Israeli "state terrorism." "This time, [the Israeli] leadership must not escape justice as has happened in the past. How long will the UN accept violations of international law and turn a blind eye to war crimes?" The Saudi newspaper Al-Jazirah wrote that the attack on the flotilla "is a heinous crime against humanity because these activists who came in solidarity with the Palestinian people trapped in Gaza represent the conscience of humanity which Israel is trying to break." Al-Jazirah wrote, "Israeli terrorist acts which go against the will of the international community must be confronted." The newspaper demanded that Israel immediately lift the blockade on the people of Gaza and allow the return of movement across international border crossings with Gaza to allow access of food and medicine. "We demand the destruction of the walls of the large prison imposed on the people of Gaza," Al- Jazirah wrote. "This is the only way by which the international community can regain its dignity after being slapped by Israel," the editorial concluded. The Yemeni Al-Thawra wrote, "the barbaric Israeli terrorist operation against human rights activists once again showed the ugly face of this racist and fascist entity." In its editorial, the newspaper wrote that Israel's arrogance had reached targeting unarmed activists who were carrying out a humanitarian mission calling for justice, freedom and peace, and saving more than one and a half million Palestinians from the injustice afflicted on them as a result of the brutal embargo which Israel has imposed for more than three years right before the eyes of the international community and all international and regional organisations concerned with protecting human rights. Al-Thawra added that, "amidst such international disregard for the Zionist terrorist inclination, it started imposing its agenda and hostile policy against the will of the international community, insisting on state terrorism." Al-Thawra pointed out that Israel had committed many crimes against Palestinians based on just such a policy. "But the difference in this latest crime is that it included victims from many nationalities, showing that all human communities have become a target of Zionist terrorism."
