TURKEY MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF FREEDOM FLOTILLA MASSACRE

Istanbul, 13 Sya’ban 1436/31 May 2015 (MINA) – The Turkish non-governmental Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) declared its intention to organize a march in central Istanbul on Sunday to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Freedom Flotilla massacre in 2010.

Six civilian ships in the aid flotilla were attacked in international waters by Israeli forces on May 31, 2010, as they tried to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Nine Turkish activists were killed and 30 other people were injured, including one activist who died nearly four years after being critically injured.

Bulent Yildirim, the head of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) which organized the convoy for Gaza, said a march on Sunday would attract thousands of people.

“Last year, nearly 200,000 people attended the commemorations. I think this number will increase,” Yildirim said.

Saying that they will give a message that the Turkish ship was part of a “fleet for freedom” and that the victims would not be forgotten, Yildirim said that the Mavi Marmara case was not only linked to Palestine or Turkey.

“It is the case of all the conscientious people across the world. I invite everyone to attend the commemoration march to prove it to Israel,” Yildirim said.

Yildirim also noted that the IHH supports ‘Ship to Gaza’, a Swedish organization that aims to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Marianne departed from Gothenburg port on May 10 as part of Freedom Flotilla III expedition. The boat is carrying solar panels and medical equipment to Gaza.

The 1.8 million inhabitants of Gaza have been deprived of many of their most basic needs under the near decade-long Israeli blockade. (T/P006/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)