British PM: Israeli flotilla attack unacceptable

UK: The Israeli attack of the Free Gaza flotilla was “completely unacceptable”, British new Prime Minister David Cameron said in his first Prime Minister’s Question Time ( PMQs) session in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

In his answer to a question put by the acting leader of the opposition Labour Party Harriet Harman, Cameron, the Conservative party leader and also coalition government leader, also called on the Israeli government to lift the blockade on Gaza.

“Friends of Israel — and I count myself a friend of Israel — should be saying to the Israelis that the blockade actually strengthens Hamas’s grip on the economy and on Gaza, and it’s in their own interests to lift it and allow these vital supplies to get through,” said Cameron.

Cameron’s words were underlined by a statement given to the House of Commons after his PMQs by foreign secretary William Hague.

Hague was critical of Israel. He said: “We are seriously concerned about the seizure of British nationals in international waters,” adding that he was also concerned about consular access to those seized.

He said the British government “deeply deplores the loss of live” and called for a full investigation with international participation.

He condemned Israel’s actions as appearing “to have gone beyond what was warranted or proportionate” and called on restrictions to access to Gaza to be lifted by the Israelis. Cameron was also asked several other questions during his half- hour grilling in the House of Commons.

He was asked what the government would do about the attack by a gunman on a community in the north of England which had claimed at least three lives earlier on Wednesday.

Cameron said “The Government will do everything it possibly can to help the local community and those affected. “When lives and communities are suddenly shattered in this way, our thoughts should be with all those caught up in these tragic events, especially the families and friends of those killed or injured.” Cameron took the opportunity of a question on Afghanistan to label the war there his “highest priority”. He said, “Afghanistan is my top priority. It is why we set up the National Security Council, and why it met on the first day of the new government.” He said the British government backed United States’ president Barack Obama’s surge strategy, and that people should “give it time to work - there are signs that it is working”. London, Thursday, Xinhua