An injured pro-Palestinian activist reacts after Israeli commandos landed on a Gaza-bound ship in the Mediterranean Sea in this frame grab taken from footage released by DHA on May 31, 2010. Israeli commandos intercepted Gaza-bound aid ships on Monday and at least 10 pro-Palestinian activists on board were killed in bloodshed that plunged Israel into a diplomatic crisis.              REUTERS/DHA via Reuters TV

DEARBORN — Arab Americans and other activists are scheduled to demonstrate Tuesday, 4 p.m. outside Dearborn City Hall, 13615 Michigan Ave., in response to attacks Monday on humanitarian aid ships en route to besieged Gaza.The attack left at least nine passengers dead after Israeli commandos rappelled down to the aid flotilla, which
was trying to thwart the Gaza blockade.Commandos fought with
pro-Palestinian activists on the lead ship. The fighting injured dozens of activists and several
soldiers, according to the Associated Press and multiple other news agencies. Hundreds of activists were brought to Israeli detention
centers and hospitals. 
The incident has led to widespread anger and protests around the world.
Press release from the Congress of Arab American Organizations:
DEARBORN – The Congress of Arab American Organizations in Michigan (CAAO) is calling on President Barack Obama to freeze military and all other forms of aid to Israel until it lifts the illegal blockade against one and a half million people in Gaza, stops all settlement building, begins reparations payments to those Palestinians whose homes it has destroyed and agrees to enter into peace talks under international auspices immediately.

In an act of piracy and a blatant violation of international law, the Israeli government on Monday committed a cold-blooded massacre on the high seas against a group of courageous individuals whose only crime was to extend a hand of solidarity to the besieged and blockaded people in Gaza.

The Gaza aid flotilla was made up of eight ships carrying 750 people and bringing medical, construction and school supplies to besieged Palestinians in Gaza. It was attacked in international waters by 14 Israeli ships. Heavily armed Israeli commandos dropped onto the ships from helicopters and opened fire on the activists.

Gaza has been blockaded by Israel since 2006 with full backing by the U.S. government. The blockade is a brutal form of collective punishment aimed at strangling the Palestinian people. Since coming to office, the Obama administration has continued the enormous funding to Israel allowing the continued siege of Gaza, the occupation and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israel’s non-stop war against all of the Palestinian people. President Obama has promised at least $30 billion in military aid to Israel over the next 10 years.

“Israel officially claims it was acting in self-defense,” said CAAO spokesman Osama Siblani. “The world’s fourth largest nuclear power had to defend itself from eight unarmed ships with 750 peaceful civilans and humanitarian aid – food, water, medical, building and school supplies?  This is blatant nonsense. “

“We call on President Barack Obama and all other heads of state to demand the accountability one would expext from a country which receives so much financial aid and support, especially from Western nations,” he added.

CAAO was formed in 2001 to represent the views of 47 local Arab American organizations.