Mavi Marmara Returns To Istanbul Ahead Of
Leading New Gaza Flotilla
By Palestine Monitor
08 December , 2010
Palestine Monitor
The Turkish ship the Mavi Marmara, on which nine activists were killed on the May 31 Flotilla Massacre, is returning to Istanbul on the anniversary of 'Operation Cast Lead’. In a ceremony organised by the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), politicians, activists and survivors will gather to mourn the losses on the flotilla and in Gaza, while reiterating their commitment to ending Israel’s illegal policies.
Having been held in Israel along with all ships that formed the Freedom Flotilla, the Marmara has now been repaired and is ready to form part of a new flotilla that will sail to Gaza on May 31, 2011. The IHH have published a list of demands addressed to the Israeli authorities in acknowledgement of what the UN Human Rights Council have called "Incredible violence" and an "unacceptable level of brutality" against the ship’s passengers. The attack drew near unanimous condemnation from world leaders, although soldiers responsible for killings received commendations for bravery from the Israeli military.
The first demand is for a process of lifting the illegal siege on Gaza to have begun by the time the Marmara and accompanying ships to arrive there next May.
The IHH are also calling for Israel to accept, apologise and account for crimes of murder, torture, theft and suppression, as well as paying substantial compensation to the victims. Finally, they are seeking trials in Turkey to identify and issue arrest warrants to those responsible.
The ceremony on December 26 in Istanbul marks the first day of 'Operation Cast Lead’, Israel’s brutal assault on the population of the Gaza strip, which left 1,500 dead, including over 1,000 civilians and 500 children.
The IHH expect many thousands to attend. "With this opportunity, the brutal attacks and killings of Israel on the Flotilla as well as Gaza will be once again highlighted and the world will be called out to end the attacks and the siege imposed on Gaza", said IHH board member Huseyin Oruc.
