Turkish activists prepare new Gaza flotilla

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
ISTANBUL – The Associated Press

Pro-Palestinian activists are in the final stages of organizing a sea convoy to Gaza that will likely be much bigger than a similar flotilla that was raided by Israeli forces last year, according to organizers.

The campaign sets up the possibility of another showdown with Israel, which eased its land blockade of Gaza following the international furor over last May’s raid that left nine activists dead, as it gears up to thwart any attempt to breach its blockade off the Gaza coast.

Eight Turks and one Turkish-American died in the botched commando operation on a Turkish boat, the Mavi Marmara, which was part of the flotilla in May 2010. The incident drew world attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and sent ties between former allies Israel and Turkey plummeting to a new low.

Activists on the boat said they acted in self-defense in international waters during the melee, but Israel said troops opened fire after coming under assault by men with clubs and axes as they rappelled from helicopters during the nighttime raid onto the ship's deck. Seven Israeli soldiers were wounded.

Hüseyin Oruç, a spokesman for İHH, an Islamic aid group that operates the Mavi Marmara, said an international coalition of 22 non-governmental groups hope to send 15 vessels with up to 1,500 people in this year’s flotilla. Last year, six ships and about half that number participated.

The target date for the departure of the new flotilla is the first anniversary of the raid, May 31, but it could be delayed, partly because it clashes with campaigning for Turkey’s election on June 12. Organizers said the new effort included activists from Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Canada and the United States.

The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, or İHH, conducts many of its regional missions to help Palestinian refugees. Israel has accused the group of terrorist links, though it is not on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations.

Source: Hurriyet.
Link: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=activists-prepare-new-gaza-flotilla-2011-04-27.