Turkish Activists Say New Flotilla To Challenge Israeli Gaza Blockade

[Purveyor]

August 11, 2014, Monday/ 12:08:22/ REUTERS / ISTANBUL

A Turkish aid group said on Monday it would send ships again to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza four years after Israeli commandos stormed its flotilla bound for the Palestinian territory and killed 10 people.

The incident severely strained diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel, once close Middle East allies, but whose relationship has been tense since late 2008 over a previous Israeli military operation against Hamas.

The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH) said in an e-mailed statement that members of a coalition of pro-Palestinian activists from 12 countries had met in İstanbul over the weekend and decided to launch a convoy "in the shadow of the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza," referring to the latest month-long war. Fighting has abated under a 72-hour cease-fire deal.

"The Freedom Flotilla Coalition affirmed that, as most governments are complicit, the responsibility falls on civil society to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza," it said.

An İHH spokeswoman did not elaborate. The group will hold a news conference on Tuesday, she said.

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http://www.todayszaman.com/national_turkish-activists-say-new-flotilla-to-challenge-israeli-gaza-blockade_355269.html

[swilton]

1. Civil society

is the only thing that can stand up to the US and Israel.