Blockade is a Crime Against Humanity, Oppression!

Gaza is a free Palestinian land acknowledged by international laq. Gaza’s territorial waters belong to Palestine. Israel’s ongoing deadly “Blockade on Gaza,” which started 10 years ago, is oppression and legally a crime. No matter which country suffers from it blockades should be removed and it is everybody’s responsibility to do that. Even in wartime all systems and faiths guarantee safety of civilians and delivery of humanitarian relief aid. 

Palestinians deserve and have the right to live with dignity without depending on aid. They have the right to travel, elect the governor they like, and to do business. Were it not for the Israeli occupation and blockade they have the resources more than enough to be self-sufficient and help the needy. To force these people into receiving aid through Israel who is the murderer of their loved ones is the most horrible thing to do.

Our efforts to break the blockade and to deliver aid should and will continue until Palestinian people become free like us.

Mavi Marmara flagship of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, an international coalition in which IHH has also taken part set sail with this mission. Mavi Marmara represented the common conscience of the world and humanitarian community’s outrage against oppression with its passengers from different races, religions, cultures and ideologies, who are citizens of 37 different states, and with donations received from people of over 100 countries. It carried on board the aid that women from all over the world sent to Gazan orphans with a mother’s compassion. Gazan orphan children longingly waited to embrace the passengers who were going to get off the board Mavi Marmara like the way they felt for their long lost parents.

Israel Attacked not only Mavi Marmara but also to Turkey and Humanity!

On 31 May morning 4 hours before Israel launched its attack on Mavi Marmara PKK attacked Turkish Armed Forces maritime quarters in Iskenderun with rocket-propelled grenade. Six soldiers were killed as a result.  According to the intelligence reports regarding the attack which were released later PKK has carried out the attack with Israel’s guidance.  Israel tried to distract Turkish public’s attention away from Mavi Marmara sailing in Mediterranean waters and threaten Turkish Armed Forces through this attack it has pulled out via PKK..

After four hours following the attack in Iskenderun, Israel Defence Forces launched an attack with zodiac boats, warships, war helicopters, drones and submarines at Mavi Marmara in international waters.

Israel’s attack resulted in 10 humanitarian activists getting killed on board while over 100 humanitarians were injured with firearms. All passengers were detained; their belongings and their ships were confiscated. The attack at Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which has always been transparent from start to the end in its preparation and organization, happened before the eyes of the world as it was broadcast live. The attack has received the biggest outrage in contemporary history including official reprimands issued by states and international bodies.  Turkey has set a leading example to the world as being the advocate of human rights and freedoms and the voice of oppressed people. Civilian events protesting this attack have gone viral and become the most widespread protests of recent times. Still on every 31 May people of conscience all around the world hold protests in an effort to break the blockade on Gaza.

Mavi Marmara Cases are for Palestine  

Lawsuits filed against Israeli authorities responsible for the attack and murders at the courts in various countries and at ICC still continue. Let’s not forget: Mavi Marmara Cases, are opened not just to hold the perpetrators of the crimes committed on board accountable in front of justice but also to lift the blockade, to stop the killing of  civilians in Palestine, to let each Turkish or passengers of other nationalities travel freely in Mediterranean and in international waters, and to uphold justice. Any and all agreements that will not require the removal of Gaza blockade will be botched job due to Israel’s dirty tricks.

Turkey and the 37 countries whose citizens were on board Mavi Marmara will follow up on these court cases without ever withdrawing not just for the sake those killed or their rights but also for the sake of the future of Palestinian people. These cases are the common to all humanity. Israel is obligated to fully compensate for physical damages and for the damages of pain and suffering. Even though the compensation is not our priority it is totally unacceptable for us that Israel tries to wash its hands of the matter by making a payment through Jewish Foundation Fund as if handing out charity.

What we demand and struggle for:

1.    Occupation in Palestine and blockade on Gaza should stop. The blockade is sheer oppression It is unacceptable no matter who are the perpetrators.

2.    Israeli murderers shall be held accountable before justice.

3.    Israel shall compensate for all the damages it has given.

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN ONES AND SHOW OUR GRATITUTE FOR THEIR SACRIFICES