Arab League SG Amr Moussa calls Israeli seizure of Lebanese aid ship bound for Gaza “part of the Israeli criminal policy”

SEIZURE OF LEBANESE SHIP PART OF ISRAELI CRIMES AGAINST PALESTINIANS – MOUSSA CAIRO, Feb 6 (NNN-KUNA) — Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has strongly condemned the seizure by the Israeli navy of a Lebanese freighter bound for the Gaza Strip. “The move is part of the Israeli criminal policy against the Palestinians,” Moussa told reporters here Thursday. Members of the Israeli navy boarded the freighter which tried to break the Israeli-imposed blockade of the Gaza Strip and escorted it to the port of Ashdod to question some 20 passengers on board. Moussa termed the move “a state piracy” against a humanitarian mission and new evidence about the Israeli aggressive policy. He held Israel responsible for the safety of the crew and passengers of the freighter, calling for more efforts to end the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip. The League chief said he kept in touch with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to ensure the safety of the ship and those on board in line with the international law. “The Israeli leaders went to extremes to mock the international legitimacy and pursue their atrocities against the Palestinians,” he said, noting that the criminal acts could be part of the Israeli ruling party to gain more votes in the coming legislative elections. Moussa urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility towards ending the suffering of the besieged population of the Gaza Strip and force Israel, the occupying power, to implement the Geneva conventions. – NNN-KUNA