Flotilla running into rough waters
Despite Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s recent call for the organizers of the upcoming second Gaza flotilla to reconsider their plan to sail, organizers are moving ahead – even as their plan undergoes frequent changes. Why the shifting plan?
Comments (25) »Israel is bracing for the arrival of 15 vessels carrying an estimated 1,500 activists, and Jerusalem believes more changes in the sail’s plans are to be expected.
The flotilla’s organizers, it is believed, are finding it hard to meet their goal in regards to the number of ships partaking in the sail. “They want to breach the blockade and think that the more ships they have, the higher their chances of succeeding,” a source told Ynet.
The IHH, which organized the first Gaza flotilla, is heavily involved in the second sail, alongside the “Free Gaza” Movement and the “European Campaign.” These three are joined by several smaller groups, which are trying to stage a united international front.
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 at 1:29 PM | David Kuner
The “Freedom Flotilla” sails again
Remember the “Freedom Flotilla“? You know, the one with the “peace activists” who attacked IDF troops with knives and clubs when they attempted to board one of the ships? Well, it’s happening again:
(Photo: AFP)
Organizers of the Turkish flotilla to Gaza are adamant about going ahead with their plans to challenge Israel’s blockade next month despite official reports that the Rafah border crossing will be opened to Palestinians as of Saturday.
“We shall set sail, we have many surprises in store,” IHH spokesman Ömer Faruk said. “If there really is no blockade then there shouldn’t be a problem with us going there. Everything will become clearer next month.”
“Many surprises in store” … judging from what happened last year, that sounds like a threat.
Comments (7) »Friday, May 27th, 2011 at 2:32 PM | David Kuner
Red Cross: No humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Photo: Yaakov Lappin
As Fatah officials announce their plans to be part of the Gaza flotilla scheduled for the end of May – marking the one-year anniversary of the Mavi Marmara incident – a Red Cross official in the region brings into question the need for any humanitarian aid in Gaza:
Comments (3) »“There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” So states categorically Mathilde Redmatn, the deputy director of the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip.
“If you go to the supermarket, there are products,” she said, as reported on the IDF website. “There are restaurants and a nice beach. The problem is mainly in maintenance of infrastructure and in access to certain goods such as concrete. Israel has the legitimate right to protect [its] civilian population, this right should be balanced with the right of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip.”
Thursday, April 21st, 2011 at 2:07 PM | David Kuner
In the wake of the Gaza Flotilla
IHH, the Turkish foundation that organized the Gaza flotilla, is continuing to spread hatred and lies against the Jewish state. On December 26, thousands of Turkish citizens held a reception for the Mavi Marmara, the ship in the flotilla on which nine people were killed. At this reception, IHH head Bulent Yildirin propagated the lie that the Jews control the U.S. as well as the world media.
This form of anti-Semitic propaganda is the same used in Nazi Germany. If Jews control the world, one has only the Jews to blame for all global issues.
What is most disturbing about this event is that it took place in Turkey. Not too long ago Turkey was Israel’s closest ally in the Middle East. Relations were so close that Israel traded weapons as well as military secrets with her Turkish friends. It is extremely troubling to see that Turkey quickly transformed from a Western-leaning country to an Islamic and radical state. This transformation underscores the fact that Israel has no friends in the Middle East she can depend on in the long term.
Comments (4) »Monday, January 3rd, 2011 at 4:19 PM | Amichai Farkas
Lieberman: No apologies to Turkey
Speaking at a conference for ambassadors, Israeli foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman had some harsh words for Turkey and the Palestinian Authority. Lieberman refused Turkey’s demand for Israel to apologize for the Gaza flotilla incident, which left nine Turkish citizens dead, and instead demanded that Turkey apologize for its support of terrorist groups and its ongoing incitement against the Jewish state.
As for the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Lieberman stated that he does not believe that peace will be achieved in the near future, and that Israel has a plan set in place to deal with the conflict once the current talks break down. He went on to say that no matter what Israel will offer the Palestinians they will never accept a peace accord with Israel.
Lieberman is known for his often candid speech — he routinely makes headlines for his strong rhetoric against Israel’s foes in the Middle East. Oddly enough, his style of being blunt — and sometimes even rude — probably helped get him elected. Israeli’s have tired of the usual rhetoric of appeasement towards their enemies and preferred Lieberman’s off-the-cuff political style.
Comments (6) »Monday, December 27th, 2010 at 7:58 AM | Amichai Farkas
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