Was the Gaza flotilla humanitarian and innocent (updated 5-June-2010)?

Unedited Radio Transmission Between Gaza Flotilla and Israeli Navy
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3899131,00.html










It was a tragedy of mistakes that caused lost lives. all those mistakes has been created by politicians and religious emotions.

The first and primer politician to blame for the tragically mistake is the Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is the igniter of hostility by sponsoring the flotilla of terror support. What humanitarian aid are 1000 people? Do the Gazans need human flesh as meat to eat? Or do the Gazans need another 1000 mouths to feed if they are already starving? In average 1000 people are equal to 80-100 tons of real food like rice, flour, corn or even essential medicine drugs. What for was the purpose of sending 1000 terror supporters on a ship to Gaza? Are they serving as the crew of the vessel? There is only one answer. It was for the sake to smear mud on the face of Israel rather to sympathize the Gazans. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is well known from his past and present life as a great Jews and Israeli hater and only he is the assassinator of the 9 killed people. That hatred was the reason why he sponsored the flotilla. Why were the other 5 vessels captured without any violence and no one was even scratched. Just the Turkish vessel Marmara created the whole mess and violence? Only because of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a radical Islamist, Turkey wasn't still accepted as a member of the EU.

Israel offered the flotilla organizers to transfer the goods of humanitarian aid via a port in Israel after security control in order to check if there are no weapons or materials which can produce weapons and explosives. The organizers refused that offer only because they wanted to create the tragic incident. Since Gaza or the Palestinian authority is not a registered state it has no territorial water borders in the sea and that area is under the Israeli control.

Are really the citizens of Gaza starving? If yes, how come that Ismail Haniya is so fat as well as many other members of Hamas? If kids are starving there, the Hamas leaders need to fast every second day and give their daily food for the kids. There are hundreds of smuggling tunnels from Gaza to Sinai-Egypt. What is the purpose of those tunnels? Aren't those tunnels to transfer goods and of course explosives and weapons? The shops and markets of Gaza are full of goods to sell, so how can it be that they are starving?

The only purpose of that flotilla was political and not humanitarian. It was purely for propaganda purpose. As this was the reason, the banner was written on the wall and the results were well known by all parties.

Those 9 killed people were a result of a fatal mistake by trying to lynch the Israeli soldiers who landed on the vessel not armed with automatic guns but paint-ball guns. The soldiers were beaten with iron rods, stubbed with knives and even shot with bullets from fire arms. Those circumstances enforced the soldiers for self defending and they used their personal pistols which were placed on their back. They were armed with the pistols "just in case" if they need to act self defending and this was a self defending act.

Another big mistake was the IDF too soft approach and under estimation of the "peaceful" passengers as violent anarchists and hooligans. Those hooligans and organizers took the advantage of the IDF's "soft manner" approach to create lynch activities and extreme violence.

What is really the Turkish organization IHH?

Shooting the Messenger: A Look at the Facts on the Turkish Aid Group IHH

By Evan Kohlmann

When I first published a research paper four years ago with the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) on the Turkish Muslim charitable group Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), I didn't imagine it would get much of a response outside the academic conference in which it was presented in Copenhagen. However, as a result of this weekend's tragic Israeli raid on an IHH-sponsored flotilla of vessels attempting to break the ongoing blockade on Gaza, the group has suddenly jumped into the headlines, and has become a focus of intense debate over the intentions of the flotilla organizers and the controversial killing of at least 9 would-be participants by Israeli commandos.

Though my DIIS paper made no mention of IHH's activities in Gaza or in support of suffering Palestinian refugees, some of those angered by the Israeli flotilla raid have instead turned their emotional animus on past critics of IHH, such as myself. While I certainly can't speak with any authority on what took place on the Gaza flotilla boats, I'm rather mystified why the flotilla killings--whether right or wrong--would have any bearing on the factual question of whether the IHH has engaged in illicit financing and episodic support to extremist groups. The evidence in this regard is fairly weighty, and much of it comes directly from the Turkish government -- not the United States, nor the Israelis.

On December 5, 1997, Turkish police raided the IHH headquarters office in Istanbul and arrested its principal leaders. Following their preliminary inquiry, on April 27, 1998, Turkish investigators launched a formal legal case against the IHH. According to a report produced by French counterterrorism magistrates, the inquiry was spurred by the sale of an AK-47 assault rifle to an IHH leader by "a member of the illegal organization VASAT." Turkish police reported seizing a series of disturbing items from the IHH in Turkey, including an explosive device, two sticks of dynamite, bomb making instructions, and a "jihad flag." The French magistrates report noted that: "It appears that the detained members of IHH were going to fight in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Chechnya... The essential goal of this Association was to illegally arm its membership for overthrowing democratic, secular, and constitutional order present in Turkey and replacing it with an Islamic state founded on the Shariah. Under the cover of this organization known under the name of IHH, acted to recruit veteran soldiers in anticipation of the coming holy war. In particular, some men were sent into war zones in Muslim countries in order to acquire combat experience. On the spot, the formation of a military unit was assured. In addition, towards the purpose of obtaining political support from these countries, financial aid was transferred , as well as caches of firearms, knives, and pre-fabricated explosives."

An official review of the phone records from the IHH's office in Istanbul revealed two calls to the Bosnian Mujahideen Brigade unit headquarters in Zenica, five phone calls to a member of the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) based in London, and at least one call to Anwar Shaaban's notorious Islamic Cultural Institute in Milan, Italy.

The IHH's connections to international terrorism have even surfaced in sworn witness testimony in the U.S. federal court system. During the trial of attempted Millenium bomber Ahmed Ressam, noted French counterterrorism magistrate Jean-Louis Bruguiere took the stand and testified that IHH had played “n important role” in Ressam's bomb plot targeting LAX. Under repeated questioning, Bruguiere insisted that “here’s a rather close relation”: "The IHH is an NGO, but it was kind of a type of cover-up… in order to obtain forged documents and also to obtain different forms of infiltration for Mujahideen in combat. And also to go and gather these Mujahideens. And finally, one of the last responsibilities that they had was also to be implicated or involved in weapons trafficking."

None of this information is considered sensitive or secret, nor is it particularly difficult to come by. Turkish government officials have openly acknowledged as much in major Western media outlets. In August 1999, the governor of Istanbul was interviewed in the Washington Post after he personally ordered local IHH bank accounts frozen because of suspected criminal activity. He explained at the time, "All legal institutions may have some illegal connections. This might be the case here. If they don't like it, they can appeal in court."

To his credit, the former Istanbul governor here underscores another critical point. Contemporary terror finance networks are most effectively curtailed using accepted legal sanctions and transnational cooperation between regional allies. Incidents such as the deadly Gaza flotilla raid ultimately undermine the battle against illicit financing, and weaken shared international resolve to punish those who manipulate humanitarian relief as a cover to fund terrorism. The Israeli government must be more mindful in the future of the wider political repercussions its attempts at punitive actions can have, whether technically justified or not. Those repercussions impact not only the state of Israel, but also carry implicit costs for the United States and its European allies.

June 1, 2010 12:40 PM

One of the IHH peaceful acivists o the Marmara vessel

Related information

Close-Up Footage of Mavi Marmara Passengers Attacking IDF Soldiers
Video footage from idfnadesk, the Israeli Defense Forces' YouTube Channel, May 31, 2010

Video taken by IDF naval boat shows the passengers of the Mavi Marmara, one of the ships in the 'Free Gaza' Flotilla, violently attacking IDF soldiers who were trying to board the ship after having sent repeated requests for the boat to change course.







Mavi Marmara Passengers Attack IDF Before Soldiers Board Ship


Videos of today's tragic incident off the coast of Israel
http://www.theisraelproject.org/videos

MEMRI TV Clips on the Gaza Flotilla: Activists On Board Chant Songs of Martyrdom at Departure

http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4249.htm?tr=y&auid=6420690
http://www.memri.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2490.htm

Gaza flotilla participants created war atmosphere before confronting Israel. Participants chanted Islamic battle cry invoking killing of Jews and called for Martyrdom





Behind the Headlines: The Israeli humanitarian lifeline to Gaza

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm?tr=y&auid=6420559

IDF - Navy Warns Flotilla (31 May 2010)



A brutal ambush at sea (Ynet News)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3896796,00.html

Stats and Facts on Israeli Humanitarian Aid Transfers to Gaza

Unless otherwise indicated, all information is from “Behind the Headlines: The Israeli humanitarian lifeline to Gaza,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 25, 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm

1. Humanitarian Aid

In 2009, more than 738,000 tons of food and supplies entered Gaza. Pictures in local newspapers show local markets aplenty with fruit, vegetables, cheese, spices, bread and meat to feed 1.4 million Gazans. The total amount of aid transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2009 increased by 180 percent, compared to the amount transferred 2008.[1]

From Jan - May 8, 2010, 230,690 tons of humanitarian aid was transferred from Israel into Gaza through the Israel-Gaza goods crossings. This included medical supplies, milk powder and baby food, meat, chicken, fish, grains, legumes, oil, flour, salt, sugar, fresh vegetables and dairy products as well as animal feed, hygiene products and clothes.[2]

At holiday times, Israel increases transfers. During the Muslim holy days of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, Israel shipped some 11,000 head of cattle into Gaza.

2. Maintaining Medical Aid for All in Need

The Medical Corridor: In 2009 alone, 10,544 patients and their companions left the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel. Moreover, there were 382 emergency evacuations from Gaza for medical purposes.
The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem donates $3 million in aid annually to treat Palestinians in Israel.
Following fears of a swine flu outbreak, three Israeli hospitals were assigned to treat cases in the Gaza Strip and 44,500 immunizations were transferred to the Strip.
Since 2005, Palestinians exploited medical care arrangements more than 20 times to carry out terror attacks.

Medical Equipment: In 2009, some 4,883 tons of medical equipment and medicine were brought in.
In the first quarter of 2010, Israel shipped 152 trucks of medical supplies and equipment into Gaza.
In 2009, Israel coordinated the transfer of medical supplies for the disabled including wheelchairs, crutches and first aid kits. Other equipment shipped to Gaza include heart-monitors, baby feeding tubes, dental equipment, medical books, ambulance emergency equipment, artificial limbs and infant sleeping bags.

3. Quality of Life in Gaza

Projected life expectancy in the Gaza Strip (2010) is 73.86, greater than Estonia, Malaysia, Jamaica and Bulgaria.
The infant mortality rate in Gaza is 17.71 per 1000, better than that of China, Jordan, Lebanon and Thailand.

Schoolchildren: Israel transfers school equipment supplied by UNRWA including notebooks, school bags, writing implements and textbooks.
Israel is currently coordinating the transfer of 200,000 laptops for Gaza schoolchildren.
In the first quarter of 2010, Israel transferred 250 trucks with equipment for the UNWRA summer camp, including arts-and-crafts equipment, swimming pools, inflatable toys, ice cream machines, musical instruments, clothing, sports quipment.

4. Building for the Future: Infrastructure and Economic Aid

Building Materials: While the import of cement and iron has been restricted into Gaza since these are used by the Hamas to cast rockets and bunkers, monitored imports of truckloads of cement, iron, and building supplies such as wood and windows are regularly coordinated with international parties. Already in the first quarter of 2010, 23 tons of iron and 25 tons of cement were transferred to the Gaza Strip.
On 13 May 2010, Israel allowed approximately 39 tons of building material into Gaza to help rebuild a damaged hospital. The construction material for al Quds hospital was transferred after safeguards in place and French assurances ensured that the construction material would not be diverted elsewhere.
On 24 May 2010, Israel opened Kerem crossing to 97 trucks loaded with aid and goods, including six trucks holding 250 tons of cement and one truck loaded with five tons of iron for projects executed and operated by UNRWA.

Electricity: As noted by a UN report of May 2010, 120 Megawatts (over 70 percent) of the Strips’ electricity supply comes from the Israeli electric grid, while 17 MWs come from Egypt and 30 MWs are produced by the Gaza city power station. Since January 2010, there has been deterioration in the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip since the Hamas regime is unwilling to purchase the fuel to run the Gaza City power station.
Throughout 2009, Israel transferred 41 trucks of equipment for the maintenance of Gaza’s electricity grid.
Israel facilitates the transfer of fuel through the border, and maintains that the diversion of fuel from domestic power generators to other uses is wholly a Hamas decision. Over 133 million liters of fuel entered Gaza from Israel over the last 18 months.

Sewage: During the first quarter of 2010, the UN coordinated with Israel the transfer of equipment for UNWRA to upgrade the sewage pumping station. In 2009, 127 trucks containing more than 3,000 tons of hypochlorite entered the Gaza Strip for water purification purposes. Moreover, 48 trucks of equipment for improving the sanitation infrastructure led to a substantial reduction in the Beit Lahya facility's waste levels.

Economy: Primary exports from Gaza are cut flowers and citrus, with trade partners being Israel, Egypt and the West Bank. During 2009, 7.5 million tons of flowers and 54 tons of strawberries were exported from Gaza with Israeli cooperation.
In 2009, 1.1 billion shekels (about $250 million) was transferred to the Gaza Strip for the ongoing activity of international organizations and to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority workers.


Footnotes

[1] “Humanitarian assistance to Gaza during the period of calm (June 19 - Dec 18, 2008),” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dec. 26, 2008, http://tiny.cc/j6plg; “Humanitarian assistance to Gaza from 27 Feb 2008 escalation up to 19 June calm understanding,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 18, 2008, http://tiny.cc/01r1m; “Summary of Gaza humanitarian activity in 2009 presented to international organizations,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jan. 15, 2010, http://tiny.cc/0c7ef

[2] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 8, 2010, http://tiny.cc/3gtug