F. A. Q.
Will there be a new flotilla organization for Gaza this year?
It is a civilian initiative that includes various intellectuals, artists, politicians, representatives of nongovernmental organizations and similar figures representing Turkish and European people, that aims to break the embargo of Gaza by sailing to the territory on ships.
Who are the organizers of this flotilla?
Organizers of last year’s Gaza Freedom Flotilla were Free Gaza Movement, IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden, European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza, The International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza. There are many organizers for the Freedom Flotilla II from across the world. The list of the organizers is as follows:
Asia to Gaza (India)
Bateau suisse pour Gaza (Switzerland)
Belgium to Gaza (Belgium)
Britian to Gaza (the UK)
Canada Boat to Gaza (Canada)
Deutch initiative zum bruc des gazablockade (Germany)
European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza
Free Gaza Movement
Free Gaza Movement (Denmark)
Free Gaza Scotland (Scotland)
Italia Freedom Flotilla (Italy)
Irish Ship to Gaza (Ireland)
IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation (Turkey)
Malaysian Humanitarian Sail (Malaysia)
Nederlands Boat to Gaza (Holland)
Rumbo a Gaza (Spain)
Ship to Gaza Greece (Greece)
Ship to Gaza Indonesia (Indonesia)
Ship to Gaza Norway (Norway)
Ship to Gaza Sweden (Sweden)
U.S. Boat to Gaza (the United States)
Un bateau pour Gaza (France)
What is the goal of the flotilla? Will the Israeli blockade be broken this time?
On the anniversary of the May 31 Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara, the goal of this flotilla is to show that our support for Palestinian people continues. We aim to show that despite threats, we do not recognize Israel’s arbitrary blockade on Gaza, we want to impose pressure on Israel to ensure the elimination of its blockade and to make the entry of humanitarian aid materials to Gaza possible.
When will the flotilla set sail?
The flotilla is expected to set sail in the second half of June.
The delay in the departure of the flotilla is associated with the election process in Turkey. Is this true?
The decision for the departure date of the Freedom Flotilla II is made jointly by all the organizers not by the IHH alone as it was the case in the first Freedom Flotilla. Factors such as fund-collection organizations in different countries, supply of humanitarian aid materials, supply of new ships that will take part in the flotilla and maintenance of ships that took part in the first flotilla play a role in the determination of the departure date of the Freedom Flotilla II. The departure date of the flotilla has nothing to do with the election process in Turkey. In addition, no agreement has been made with any political institution or organization.
From where will the flotilla set sail?
Just as it was the case in the first Freedom Flotilla, every ship in the flotilla will set sail from their home country, meet in the Mediterranean and then sail to Gaza together.
How many ships will take part in the flotilla?
There are plans to increase the number of ships which was six in the first flotilla to 15 in the second flotilla.
What will be the route of the flotilla?
The route of the flotilla is the Port of Gaza.
What will the flotilla take to Gaza?
The flotilla will take humanitarian aid to Gaza which is desperately needed in the region. Perhaps more important than this, the flotilla will take the support of the entire world to Gaza.
How many people will join the flotilla? From which countries will the participants be from? Who will be the participants?
There will be approximately 1,500 people aboard the flotilla from across 100 countries. The participants will be important people from the participant countries. The relatives of the martyrs of last year’s flotilla will also take part in the flotilla.
Will everyone who wants be able to take part in the flotilla? What does one need to do to join the flotilla?
Everyone can apply to take part in the Freedom Flotilla II; however, we say it with regret that a limited number of humanitarian aid activists from Turkey will be able to board the Mavi Marmara, which is one of the flotilla ships. When the fact that around 100 countries join the flotilla is taken into consideration, there has to be a quota for every country. There will be around 150 activists from Turkey joining the flotilla. People need to fill out the preliminary application forms to be able to take part in the flotilla. This form can be obtained from the IHH’s website www.ihh.org.tr and from the IHH headquarters in İstanbul. The participants of the flotilla will be selected among people who have filled out these forms. The information about all applicants will be kept secret by the IHH.
Could those who took part in last year’s flotilla be able to join this year’s flotilla as well?
Certainly, everyone can apply to join the flotilla. The participants of the flotilla will be selected according to certain criteria such as age, gender, profession, nationality, etc.
Why did not the flotilla set sail from Turkey on May 31? Will any ships from Turkey join the flotilla?
Every ship will depart from their home country. It seems impossible for all the ships to set sail at the same time from a technical point and considering the timing of their meeting. Mavi Marmara ship will take part in the flotilla.
Has the maintenance of the Mavi Marmara been completed? Is there any problems regarding legal permissions? Will the ship take part in the flotilla?
Mavi Marmara will take part in the flotilla after the completion of its maintenance and necessary permissions are received from the relevant authorities.
It is said that Israel will stop the ship, search it and then allow its entry to Gaza. Has Israel made such a demand?
Ships that will take part in the flotilla will already be checked at the ports in their home countries. Israel has not made any request for the checking of the ships. Even if it makes such a request, it will never be accepted. Requests by an independent international delegate or the United Nations to check the ships again can be accepted.
What are the measures to be taken before the flotilla begins its voyage? Is any special study being conducted for special security measures?
We will set sail as humanitarian aid ships. The only measure we will take is to ask the world to support us.
Has there been any change in Gaza’s situation since last year? The blockade is said to have been eased. Is there really such a relief?
There are claims about Israel’s easing its blockade on Gaza; however, it is never possible to talk about a real ease of the blockade. These claims are aimed for eyewash and propaganda. Israel claims right on every kind of material which is brought to Gaza from the border crossings.
The final report of the UN on the Gaza flotilla attack will be released in May. What does this report mean for the flotilla? What is expected from the report? Can the report justify Israel?
We do not think that this report will be different from the report approved by the UN Human Rights Council. This report found out that Israel committed a crime against humanity through willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health.
The Turkel report justifies Israel’s arguments. How do you assess this report?
The members of the commission which prepared the Turkel report were assigned by Israel. The commission is comprised of Zionist jurists and it is far from being independent, fair and impartial. Upon an order from Israeli government, the commission prepared a report which clears Israel from all charges and the report includes findings and accusations which are hard to comprehend.
When will the International Criminal Court announce it ruling? Will the Israeli soldiers and the Israeli state officials who were involved in the attack on the Gaza flotilla be tried?
The process is going on. We hope that the court will prove its independence remaining free of all kind of political pressure and give the punishment to Israel it deserves. Just as those who committed war crimes in Srebrenica and dozens of Bosnian towns and cities yesterday are tried today, the Israeli criminals should be tried in the same way.
What are the activities that will be held in İstanbul, Turkey and across the world on 31 May to commemorate the victims of the flotilla attack?
İstanbul activities:
- Kite-flying event – Sarayburnu - May 21, 14 p.m.
- Photo exhibition – in city centers - May 23
- Quran recitation and prayers: Blue Mosque - May 26, after evening prayer
- March from the Tunnel to Taksim– May 30, 9:30 p.m.
Activities in Anatolia
- Mavi Marmara Continues its Voyage - Adıyaman - May 26, 9:30 p.m.
- Mavi Marmara Continues its Voyage – Diyarbakır - May 27, 7 p.m.
- Mavi Marmara Continues its Voyage – İskenderun - May 27, 8:30 p.m.
- Mavi Marmara Continues its Voyage – Adana - May 28, 8 p.m.
- Mavi Marmara Continues its Voyage –Kayseri -May 29, 8 p.m.
Will there be a special program on May 31 for the martyrs?
There will be prayers and Quran recitations at the graves of Mavi Marmara martyrs and across all Turkish provinces.
Have the relief materials aboard last year’s flotilla ships been transported to Gaza?
Nearly all the aid materials aboard the flotilla were dispatched to Gaza by the UN and delivered to Gazan people within our information.
Has the UN or other relevant institutions imposed sanctions on Israel for its May 31 attack?
The report of the UN Human Rights Research Fact-Finding Mission has been approved. Another UN commission decision will be revealed in mid May. In line with demand from nations, we believe that the UN will impose certain sanctions on Israel regarding the crimes it has committed.
What is the situation of the cases filed against Israel for its 31 May attack on the Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla last year?
The investigation processes in countries with a judicial power including Turkey are still going on. Upon complaints from flotilla victims, the International Criminal Court continues its investigation about the perpetrators of the attack.
Has Israel apologized to Turkey?
No.
Has Israel paid compensation to martyrs’ families?
No.
What is the situation of the martyr families? What can we do for the Mavi Marmara martyrs and their families?
The IHH has been extending financial and moral support to the martyrs’ families since the first day after the attack. The needs and education of the martyrs’ children is a priority issue for the IHH.
What is the medical condition of Uğur Süleyman Söylemez who was heavily injured in the Gaza flotilla attack?
After he was brought to Turkey, Söylemez was hospitalized at the Ankara Atatürk Research Hospital. Undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit for eight months there, Söylemez was discharged from the hospital to continue his treatment at home. He is still in a coma and in a critical medical condition.
Where we can receive information about Mavi Marmara martyrs?
You can visit the http://9sehid9eser.com/tr web address.
What is the goal and activities of the Mavi Marmara Association which was established after the Israeli attack? Can we become a member of this association?
Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association has been established for the solidarity of the participants of the Viva Palestine Convoy and Freedom Flotilla which began their journey to take humanitarian aid to Gaza and break Israel’s naval blockade on the city as well as to oppose all kinds of tyranny and injustice on the earth irrespective of the identity of the victims. The association fights against all policies that make people dependent on financial and moral aid. The association is in solidarity with every individual and institution that represents the world’s common conscience in all fields, economic, legal, cultural and social. The association extends all kind of support to people who have been victimized by wars, occupations, injustices or natural disasters. It aims for the sovereignty of justice all around the world by spreading feelings of brotherhood, compassion, helping each other and solidarity. Everyone who cares about these goals can become a member of the Mavi Marmara Association.
Is the Gaza flotilla carrying only humanitarian aid?
Yes. The aid ships only carry humanitarian aid such as medical supplies, clothing, food, prefabricated houses, children’s parks, school supplies, ceramics and construction materials. There is not even the smallest item such as a knife on the ships that could harm people
How will the aid ships reach Gaza?
The aid ships will directly enter waters of Gaza from international waters. Gaza is a Palestinian land. It does not belong to Israel. The blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel since 2006 is completely illegitimate and nothing more than bullying. The UN resolution 1860 also states that the blockade is illegitimate and it should be eliminated immediately. In order for ships to travel from the international waters and dock at port of Gaza, there is no need to receive permission or approval from Israel because Israel has no right of say on international waters and Gaza waters from the legal point of view.
Are the humanitarian aid volunteers on the Freedom Flotilla comprised of only Turks?
No. There are aid volunteers in the flotilla from more the 100 countries, from different religions, ethnicities and political views. There will be 1,500 people aboard the flotilla who are from countries such as the UK, Italy, Pakistan, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Bosnia, the US and Indonesia.
Are the Turkish aid volunteers on the Freedom Flotilla all IHH members or supporters?
No. There are many non-governmental organizations supporting the Gaza flotilla. In this regard, there will be aid volunteers from various political, ethnic and religious groups. The IHH is the only non-governmental organization from Turkey which is among the 22 organizers of the Freedom Flotilla II. With a united heart, the Turkish nation supports this flotilla.
Is the Freedom Flotilla an anti-Semitist organization?
No. Gaza flotilla has been organized through the gathering of people from different languages, religions and ethnicities together to lend their support to Gaza as they listen to the voice of their heart against Israel’s punishing Gazan people in an illegal and immoral way. Among the aid volunteers, there are Jews from different countries. To participate in the new voyage of the Mavi Marmara, there are Jews applying from dozens of different countries. In addition, non-governmental organizations such as European Jews for Justice and Jewish Call support the Freedom Flotilla.
How can Israel perpetuate its illegitimate blockage on Gaza?
Israel has been punishing Gazan people for their democratic choices since 2006’s independent elections in Palestine although the elections were subject to international supervision and monitoring. Countries such as the United States turn a blind eye to the Israeli blockade on Gaza. Israel’s blockade has been described as a “mass punishment” in the annual human rights reports of the Amnesty International and by the United Nations. Mass punishment runs contrary to the Geneva Convention. In an official statement, the European Union announced that the blockade on Gaza should be lifted entirely and unconditionally. Israel arbitrarily perpetuates its blockade of Gaza which also runs against international law and it is committing a crime.
Israel claims that Gaza does not need any humanitarian aid. It claims that there is a constant flow of humanitarian aid from Israel to Gaza? Is this true?
No. Currently, 75 percent of Gaza has been demolished and this is the result of Israel’s Cast Lead Operation in which it used illegal weapons such as phosphorus bombs and cluster bombs. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has a report confirming this situation in Gaza. Israel ravaged Gaza with the excuse of attacking military targets. More than 6,000 families have been living in tents in the city. More than 10,000 people have lost their lives due to curable diseases over the past two years. Gazan people are unable to obtain their basic needs. Israel never allows entry of construction materials such as iron, cement, container etc. to Gaza fearing that they could be used for the construction of military buildings.
If the matter is to help Gazan people, can’t this organization be held through cooperation with Israel?
Unfortunately no. The IHH applied to Israeli authorities 1, 5 years before the organization of the Freedom Flotilla I to inform Israel about its plans to take humanitarian aid to Gaza but Israeli authorities did not give any response to the IHH’s application. In other words, Israel never acts sincerely about humanitarian aid to be made for Gaza and it has exhibited this very clearly so far. The number one responsible for the tragedy in Gaza today is Israel and the blockade it imposes on Gaza. In addition, even at times when people lost their lives due to shortage of medicine and hospitalized due to food shortage, Israel was claiming that the humanitarian situation in Gaza “is very well.” This is nothing more than a deception and this deception continues today.
Israel claims that its naval blockade of Gaza aims to create a “safe zone” for its own national security. What does a “safe zone” mean from the point of international law?
It means nothing. Rules set by Israel for Gaza are not binding for anyone or any country other than Israel. Israeli blockade of Gaza since 2006 which was imposed as a reaction to the democratic choice of Gazan people in the elections is immoral, inhumane and illegitimate. As a matter of fact, UN’s resolution 1860 calls for immediate elimination of Gaza blockade saying that it is illegitimate.
Israel claims that there is an ongoing state of war in the region so its naval blockade is a result of a security measure. What does this statement mean from the point of international law?
According to Geneva Convention, delivery of humanitarian aid to war-torn regions cannot be hindered even at times of war and no blockade can be imposed on the flow of humanitarian aid.
