Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on Sunday denounced a deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla as "piracy, state terrorism and crime."

The Israeli attack on Mavi Marmara, the flagship of the international aid convoy, killed nine activists -- eight of them Turkish nationals.

"These people come from many and diverse religions, descents and belief systems and they represent the conscience of the international community. That is why, this is an attack on the United Nations and the values it cherishes," Ihsanoglu told an emergency meeting of the OIC in Jeddah.

Ihsanoglu also hailed Turkey for "its highest sense of responsibility and for the noble attitude to defend a cause of the Muslim world."

"This is another example of Israeli forces' endless breaches of the international law and human rights. This is Israel's total disregard for human rights in Palestine. This immoral cruelty cannot be condone and Israel must face political and legal consequences of crimes it committed," Ihsanoglu said.

The OIC chief called for "an independent, impartial and transparent investigation to identify those who are responsible in this attack in high seas."

Ihsanoglu also urged the OIC Executive Committee members to set up a panel of legal experts to bring the perpetrators and masterminds of the attack before justice.

"The legal process must be carried out carefully in order for justice to be served and the blockade of Gaza be ended," Ihsanoglu said.


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