Early on May 31st, Israeli commandos attacked the unarmed Gaza Freedom Flotilla, massacring at least nine international human rights activists and injuring dozens of others, in international waters forty miles off the coast of Gaza. Israeli military sources have confirmed nine dead but have been preventing survivors from talking to the outside world so exact numbers are still not known.

On board the ships were hundreds of civilians - including members of the Israeli Knesset - attempting to bring 10,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip which has been under an illegal Israeli-imposed siege for the past three years.

Demonstrations against the Israeli attack have been taking place around the world with the largest being in Turkey where four of those killed were from. In Istanbul, thousands of activists clashed with police in front of the Israeli embassy and tens of thousands rallied in Taksim Square. Clashes between thousands of protesters and police also took place in Paris and Athens. Large protests also took place in Madrid, Baghdad, and London among other cities.

After the massacre became news the UN Security Council went into emergency session and a statement was issued Tuesday demanding an impartial inquiry. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cancelled a meeting with Obama that had been scheduled for Tuesday. Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador from Israel and suspended military cooperation. Greece withdrew from a joint air force exercise with Israel in response to Israeli's attack on aid workers. Egypt has said it will open the Rafah crossing to Gaza but will still not allow in construction material.

At a protest in the West Bank, an American solidarity activist was shot in the face with a tear gas canister by Israeli forces; Emily Henochowicz is currently in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem undergoing surgery to remove her left eye

Protests have taken place all week at the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco. The next protest will be Thursday June 3rd at 4pm at Powell and Market with a march to the Consulate at 5pm.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Video | Sacramento Protest

The Attack: An Outrageous Massacre to Enforce Horrific Crimes | 15 internationals killed as Israel attacks and hijacks Gaza Flotilla | Israel Guns Down Peace Activists FIFTY Miles At Sea | Unarmed human rights activists killed on Gaza boats

Bay Area Protests: Meet Today at Noon at Israeli Consulate In San Francisco | Gaza Flotilla Emergency Response

International Response: Hostage Flotilla Activist's family on Hunger Strike | UN Security Council to hold emergency session over Gaza flotilla deaths | Turkey vents fury at Israeli armed action | Israel's attack tests NATO Doctrine

External Links: UK Guardian: Israel attacks Gaza flotilla - live coverage - fallout live | International Solidarity Movement | Electronic Intifada | Ma'an News Agency

Earlier Coverage Of Aid Convoy And Gaza Seige: With Sea Confrontation Looming, New Yorkers Say 'Break the Blockade' | Memorial Service for US Sailors Slain by Israel in 1967 | Break Israeli Siege of Gaza or Attack at Sea, Detention Camps, & Deportation | Israel's Exclusion and Restriction of Goods to Gaza