UNITED NATIONS: Turkey Demands Sanctions Against Israel Over Ship Raid

Calling it "banditry, piracy, and murder," today Turkey's UN ambassador demanded sanctions against Israel for this weekend's raid against a flotilla of ships who were reportedly bringing humanitarian supplies to Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. The attack has generated worldwide outrage. The United Nations Security Council has released the following statement.

The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza. The Council, in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least ten civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families. The Security Council requests the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel. The Council urges Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination. The Security Council takes note of the statement of the UN Secretary-General on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.

UPDATE: Thousands protested against Israel in Times Square yesterday afternoon.