Felicity Party Supports Flotilla Campaign

Prof. Dr Numan Kurtulmus, the leader of Felicity Party in Turkey, supports IHH’s (The Foundation For Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief) flotilla campaign called “Palestine Our Route, Humanitarian Aid Our Load”.

20.04.2010 - Felicity Party Supports Flotilla Campaign

IHH’s flotilla campaign to break the inhumane embargo on Gaza garnered one more promise of support from Felicity Party. The Leader of the Party, Prof. Dr Numan Kurtulmus held a press conference in the Istanbul office of Felicity Party. Erol Erdogan, Felicity Party’s Provincial Head in Istanbul, Bulent Yildirim, IHH’s President, members of the administrative board of IHH, Cihat Gokdemir, Head of Mazlumder’s (The Association of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed People) Istanbul Branch attended the conference.

Kurtulmus, noted that they would support the campaign as a community, reminding of their support for the convoy last December. He also mentioned that Israel is the only country without official borders and 83% of Israel’s current territory is invaded lands.

Kurtulmus, in his speech, said that Israel is running an expansion campaign on Palestine progressing step by step and the first step taken towards this project was the actual invasion of the Palestinian territory. He continued, “Israeli expansion is obvious especially following the war in 1967. In post-war era, weakening Palestinian politics and separating Palestine into two autonomous regions were the main aims of the Israeli plan. In fact, Israel stripped Palestine off of political sovereignty by separating her into two as Gaza Strip and West Bank. The next step in Israeli plan for political invasion has been the development of new settlements in areas with Muslim population in majority. In Jerusalem, for instance, 1600 new residences were built this year only. While whole world stands against this, Israel does not care about anyone. Another tactic utilized in Israeli project is the inhumane embargo. The final step to be taken by the Israeli state is deportation of Palestinians or killing every Palestinian one by one.”

A Brave and Historical Step

Kurtulmus referred to IHH’s attempt to break the Israeli embargo on Palestine by the sea as “a brave and historical step”. He also mentioned that the eventful arrival of previous aid convoy to Gaza attracted worldwide attention to the situation in Palestine, added “This campaign of IHH will gain worldwide publicity to the embargo on Gaza. Our prayers are for flotilla’s safe and uneventful arrival in Gaza Harbor. Putting effort into saving the people of Gaza from starvation and maintaining an oppression-free political environment would be the most important permanent resolution in the region. 

A Step-by-step Expansion Plan

Kurtulmus noted that the situation in Palestine is an expansion plan of Israel, realized step by step, explaining those steps as: “The first was the occupation of the land. 78% of Palestinian territory is under occupation. Israel is doing as she wishes without respecting the UN resolutions. They wanted to separate Palestine into two autonomous regions following the invasion. The land is divided into two, Gaza Strip and West Bank, other territories have been placed in-between and transportation has been stopped. The latest name for the invasion plan is ‘new settlements’. They are building new residences around Masjed Al-Aqsa, in Jerusalem, where Muslims live. Another step taken is the embargo. Access to Gaza Strip is possible neither through the land nor by the sea, thanks to the embargo. It has become a semi-open prison.”   

He continued, “They are deprived of their most basic human needs such as repairing their homes and receiving medical treatment. This invasion has reached its ultimate state with the embargo. The people of Palestine is led to starvation and poverty in their open-air prison land without any strength.”

Israel has no official borders

“Israel is the only country without official borders”, said Kurtulmus, stating that Israel has reached its final goal in their invasion campaign, their last step will be erasing Palestinian existence from the region by killing them one by one, however they have not been able to do so due to pressure from the worldwide public. “Israel’s official borders will not be drawn until Greater Israel (the promised land) laying from Niles to Euphrates is brought into existence.” He also advised Israel not to interfere with the convoy. “Whatever Israel’s goals may be, she should let this convoy pass. This will contribute to the peace process in the Middle East. If they decide to interfere, more conflicts will rise in the region. I do not think that Israel will do such a thing.”

Turkey should stop Israeli expansion campaign

Kurtulmus noted that up until recently no diplomatic pressure was put on Israel’s crimes against humanity, mentioning Turkey’s strategic significance in the region, continued: “Turkey, as one of the prominent forces in the region and as a keystone, should stop Israel’s occupation policies by forming an international voice of diplomacy. I hope that this campaign of IHH reaches its goal safe and sound, by breaking the embargo.  This is, in fact, a project of Turkey, a project of humanity. Running this campaign also means a lot for remembrance of Rachel who lost her life under Israeli tanks.”

“We would like to thank Felicity Party for their support.”

Bulent Yildirim, IHH’s President, commented on the campaign: “This is a matter of humanity. We would like to express our thanks to Felicity Party for their support. 1.500.000 people live in Gaza. Aid organizations should aim at removing the obstacles that limit the aid process. All the roads are closed by Egypt and Israel, following the start of the embargo. This led those people to live in a semi-open prison. A quiet genocide is being performed. We will inscribe it on our ships, ‘no weapons onboard’, we are not carrying even a small knife, loaded with humanitarian aid only. There are more than 50 countries contributing to the campaign, more than 40 parliamentarians will be onboard. We will have embarked on our journey mid-May. If Israel is smart enough, then they will let us pass through immediately. We are repairing Gaza Harbor, making it deeper. We have taken precautions for everything Israel is capable of doing to stop us. Israel will not do anything to prevent the ships from arriving at their destination, unless she wants to face problems with those countries that the ships embark from.”

At the end of the conference, Bulent Yildirim, President of IHH, presented Numan Kurtulmus with a scale model of Masjed Al-Aqsa.