Minister of Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson condemned an Israeli attack against a humanitarian convoy of boats bound for Gaza, likening the Gaza Strip itself to “one big prison”.
In a statement from the ministry, Össur agrees with the opinion of the European Union and the United Nations that the attack should be investigated exhaustively.
Israeli commandos killed 19 people when they stormed a convoy of ships delivering aid to Gaza this morning. Israel says it responded to attacks against its soldiers, 10 of whom were injured.
“Gaza is actually one big prison, where international laws are broken against residents there,” the statement says in part. “This has to stop.” The ministry calls for the withdrawal of military action against Gaza.
The ministry also sent a strongly-worded letter to the Israeli embassy in Oslo, and called for a meeting between the two countries in that city. Furthermore, the minister said he was pleased that the UN intends to bring the matter up at UN headquarters in New York.
Protests have erupted around the world over the attacks, the strong reaction to which prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a trip to visit US president Barack Obama.