Israel on defensive in massive diplomatic fallout

The high number of deaths in the Israeli interception of the Gaza flotilla has led to an inevitable diplomatic fallout for Israel.

Governments everywhere are asking how and why this happened – some angrily, some cautiously. Many are protesting. (more…)

Protests across the world condemn Israel

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Europe and the Middle East on Monday, clashing with police as they protested against the Israeli storming of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla during which 10 activists were killed.

In Athens, some 3,500 protesters rallied outside the Israeli embassy, chanting “Hands off Gaza” and “Free Palestine.” Several hundreds clashed with police, throwing chunks of marble, stones and bottles. Police fired teargas to disperse them. (more…)

World condemnation of Israel’s violation of international law

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s deadly military attack on an aid convoy Monday, expressing “regret”. Most countries immediately condemned the attack. (more…)

Hezbollah looks to international community to punish Israel

Hezbollah condemned on Monday the “horrible crime” that Israel committed against the Gaza aid flotilla, saying that the incident should serve as a turning point in how international powers should deal with the Jewish state.

The party said in a statement: “International institutions have been put before an historic test to prove their already shaky credibility.” (more…)

Suleiman and Hariri condemn Israel over attack

President Michel Suleiman on Monday “strongly” condemned the Israeli navy raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla describing it a crime against humanity.

Suleiman “strongly condemned the crime and massacre that Israel added to its list of murders and organized terrorism,” the presidency said in a statement. (more…)

Israel raids humanitarian ship, up to 19 killed

Israeli naval commandos stormed a flotilla of ships carrying aid and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists to the blockaded Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 10 passengers in a predawn raid that set off worldwide condemnation and a diplomatic crisis.

Israel said its commandos were attacked by knives, clubs and live fire from two pistols wrested from soldiers after they rappelled from a helicopter to board one of the vessels. (more…)

UN: Shock and condemnation at Israel

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has joined a chorus of international condemnations of Israel’s storming of a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The High Commissioner expressed her shock while reviewing human rights conditions around the world at the opening of the 14th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. (more…)

Mass resignations by Al Jazeera female anchors over dress code

Five female anchors at Al Jazeera satellite channel have resigned over conflicts with management over “delicate issue”, including their looks and dresses.

Jumana Nammour (Lebanon), Luna Al Shibl (Syria), Lina Zahr Al Deen (Lebanon), Jullinar Mousa (Lebanon) and Nawfar Afli (Tunisia) were among a group of eight women working for the Doha-based pan-Arab channel who had filed a complaint to protest against “repeated offensive public remarks” by an official from Al Jazeera about “clothes and decency.” (more…)

Despite high tension, elections held free of casualties

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud announced Sunday that the average turnout in North Lebanon municipal elections stood at 46.8 percent, complaints reached 1,310 and 45 people were detained.

At a news conference held at the interior ministry an hour after polls closed at 7pm, Baroud said “zero” casualties were reported in the daylong election on Sunday. (more…)

Twin murder suspect turned into authorities

The man who killed the two Saleh brothers in the north Lebanon town of Dahr al-Ain, Hanna al-Barsawi, turned himself in to judicial authorities on Sunday.

The brothers – Tony and Nayef – were killed Friday. They were members of Suleiman Franjieh’s Marada Movement. (more…)