activists ask for ‘justice’ on the 7th anniversary of gaza flotilla raid
gaza flotilla was attacked by the israeli army 7 years ago, the case against the israeli officials started in their absentia and was dropped after turkey’s agreement with the israeli government. the ones who lost their loved ones call it “injustice.” 140journos interviews them:
what happened?
the gaza flotilla was raided by israeli military on 31 may 2010 in international waters in the mediterranean sea, resulting in nine activists to be killed on board.
the flotilla, organized by the free gaza movement and the turkish foundation for human rights and freedoms and humanitarian relief (ihh), was carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials, with the intention of breaking the israeli blockade of the gaza strip.
the government of israel stated that the flotilla was organized “as a provocation” or “media stunt.” on 31 may 2010, israeli shayetet 13 naval commandos boarded the ships from speedboats and helicopters in order to force the ships to the israeli port of ashdod for inspection. on the turkish ship mavi marmara, according to israel’s own report, the israeli navy faced “resistance” from about 40 of the 590 passengers, including ihh activists — described in an israeli report as a separate “hardcore group” — who were said to be armed with iron bars and knives. israeli special forces killed nine activists, eight turkish nationals and one turkish american, and many were wounded. on 23 may 2014, a tenth member of the flotilla died in hospital after being in a coma for four years. ten of the commandos were also wounded, one of them seriously.
israel has offered turkey $20 million in compensation for the raid. on 22 march 2013, in a half-hour telephone exchange between israel’s prime minister benjamin netanyahu and turkey’s prime minister recep tayyip erdoğan, the former apologized on behalf of his nation; erdoğan accepted the apology and both agreed to enter into further discussions. on june 29, 2016 the agreement was finalized and approved by the israeli government.