Gaza protesters return to big welcome in Turkey
Ferry Online Travel News 03/06/2010
Hundreds of activists flew home from the Gaza supply flotilla intercepted by Israeli commandos.
To the boisterous cheers of about a thousand people, some 450 activists finally emerged from the three aircraft Turkey’s government hired to bring them home from Israel. Bulent Arinc, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister, led the homecoming celebrations. Mr Arinc gave an energetic speech in which he charged Israel with piracy and said Turkey’s government praised the Islamic charity behind the flotilla.
Turkey-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, known as IHH, is a controversial organization. Israel accuses it of supporting terrorism and radical groups. IHH, founded during the war in Bosnia, has been responsible for such humanitarian work as taking food and water to survivors of Hurricane Katrina and sponsoring much-needed cataract surgery in Africa.
Israel has been condemned by many observers for what is seen by some as a brutal attack on peaceful activists in international waters. Protesters spoke of an aggressive and deadly attack by large numbers of gunboats, and soldiers who fired indiscriminately. Israel said it had every right to defend against the smuggling of missiles that would be used against it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that, contrary to reports, the flotilla did not constitute a peaceful procession. Israel said its security forces were viciously attacked by a mob wielding knives, iron bars and sticks.
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