13 oct 2011
Turkish off. wants 174 Israelis in cuffs
Former Israeli military chief, Gabi Ashkenazi (L ), ex-Naval Forces Commander, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom (C), and Amos Yadlin, the former head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (seen in this file photo) are on the Turkish prosecutor's list.
A Turkish state prosecutor is seeking the arrest of 174 Israelis involved in Tel Aviv's attack on Mavi Marmara, the Turkish flagship of an Ankara-backed Gaza-bound aid convoy.
Writing to the Justice Ministry, Istanbul prosecutor, Mehmet Akif Ekinci, asked that arrest orders be issued against those, who ordered and carried out the May 31, 2010 attack, which killed nine Turkish activists, Reuters reported.
The six-ship convoy, which had become known as Freedom Flotilla, came under the assault, while it was carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip via international waters.
Ankara has said it would seek to prosecute all the Israelis responsible for the bloodshed of its citizens.
Ekinci had written to Tel Aviv, seeking the names of those involved in the offensive, but did not receive any answer.
Later on, however, Turkish media released a list of 174 Israelis, implicating them in the act of bloodshed.
A Turkish state prosecutor is seeking the arrest of 174 Israelis involved in Tel Aviv's attack on Mavi Marmara, the Turkish flagship of an Ankara-backed Gaza-bound aid convoy.
Writing to the Justice Ministry, Istanbul prosecutor, Mehmet Akif Ekinci, asked that arrest orders be issued against those, who ordered and carried out the May 31, 2010 attack, which killed nine Turkish activists, Reuters reported.
The six-ship convoy, which had become known as Freedom Flotilla, came under the assault, while it was carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to the Tel Aviv-blockaded Gaza Strip via international waters.
Ankara has said it would seek to prosecute all the Israelis responsible for the bloodshed of its citizens.
Ekinci had written to Tel Aviv, seeking the names of those involved in the offensive, but did not receive any answer.
Later on, however, Turkish media released a list of 174 Israelis, implicating them in the act of bloodshed.
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Last month, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack could lead to hostilities between the two sides, calling it 'a cause for war.'
He asserted the act of aggression had been carried out on the high seas and was 'unlawful.' Israel, however, has refused to apologize for the bloodshed, prompting Turkey to expel the Israeli ambassador from Ankara and cut all bilateral military ties. |
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has also said the country planned to take action at the International Court of Justice in The Hague to challenge Tel Aviv's four-year siege of Gaza. The blockade has been preventing the flow of food, medicine, and other supplies into the impoverished coastal territory.
26 sept 2011
This is what the zionists did with the raw marmara video on youtube
This is what the zionists did with the raw marmara video on youtube
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the original video
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the zionists video
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Turkish intelligence publish IDs, Photos of Israeli soldiers involved in Freedom Flotilla attack
London, (Pal Telegraph) - Further information has been unveiled, during the investigation on the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara ship. Nearly all the names are reached that of the soldiers who took part in the team that attack Mavi Marmara and killed 9 civilians and injured more than 30 people.
According to Turkish daily Sabah, Turkish prosecutor has pressed the button after the Israeli government did not give any response to the Turkish jurisdiction. Turkish intelligence unit, scanned the images of the attack second by second and the detected profile images compared in Facebook and other social sites to find the names of the attended soldiers.
Experts who knows Hebrew work
The conversations of the Israeli soldiers, who used the social media sites, are scanned line by line. The conversations evaluated by the experts who also know Hebrew. Once a soldier's Facebook profile is detected then other soldiers reached through the friend list.
The names of the soldiers have been also confirmed by the Israeli sources of the Turkish intelligence. The intelligence unit, also investigate the photos took by Israeli press during IDF's special unit Shayetet 13's visit to naval base in Atlit. The images on the written and visual media of the moment of attack and after it are also watched. Israeli commandos' faces are detected and identification information is reached.
These names are included the list of names provided by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, one of the organizers of the Freedom Flotilla. 174 soldiers who took part of the military operation are detected and photos of 148 of them are found. The names of the Israeli soldiers and commanders are located in a schema according to the chain of command.
The prosecutor sends the names in the schema to the Israeli authorities to ask whether the soldiers took part in the attack or not. According to the Turkish intelligence unit's report, the number one responsible of the attack is Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The cabinet decisions are mandatory to Prime minister to give the order of the operation.
Therefore, all the members of the cabinet are also responsible of the attack. Israeli Minister of the Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak are considered the primary responsible in its being given the order of attack. However, the names of the military authorities are not included on the schema.
Photos of the 155 Soldiers
According to the hierarchal order, the responsible listed as: Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, the Commander of the Israeli Navy Aluf Eli Marom, the head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Amos Yadlin and the commanders of the special unit of IDF, Shayetet 13, Ami Ayalon, Zeev Almog, and two other naval officers commanding the raid on the ship, whose names cannot be detect. The schema is included also the names and the photographs of the 148 soldiers who followed the orders.
The photographs of the 10 soldiers whose names cannot be detect send to the prosecutor. The prosecutor, asked the names of the all the soldiers who took part in the attack, to the Israeli Chief of General Stuff.
The Names of the Soldiers:
According to Turkish daily Sabah, Turkish prosecutor has pressed the button after the Israeli government did not give any response to the Turkish jurisdiction. Turkish intelligence unit, scanned the images of the attack second by second and the detected profile images compared in Facebook and other social sites to find the names of the attended soldiers.
Experts who knows Hebrew work
The conversations of the Israeli soldiers, who used the social media sites, are scanned line by line. The conversations evaluated by the experts who also know Hebrew. Once a soldier's Facebook profile is detected then other soldiers reached through the friend list.
The names of the soldiers have been also confirmed by the Israeli sources of the Turkish intelligence. The intelligence unit, also investigate the photos took by Israeli press during IDF's special unit Shayetet 13's visit to naval base in Atlit. The images on the written and visual media of the moment of attack and after it are also watched. Israeli commandos' faces are detected and identification information is reached.
These names are included the list of names provided by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, one of the organizers of the Freedom Flotilla. 174 soldiers who took part of the military operation are detected and photos of 148 of them are found. The names of the Israeli soldiers and commanders are located in a schema according to the chain of command.
The prosecutor sends the names in the schema to the Israeli authorities to ask whether the soldiers took part in the attack or not. According to the Turkish intelligence unit's report, the number one responsible of the attack is Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The cabinet decisions are mandatory to Prime minister to give the order of the operation.
Therefore, all the members of the cabinet are also responsible of the attack. Israeli Minister of the Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak are considered the primary responsible in its being given the order of attack. However, the names of the military authorities are not included on the schema.
Photos of the 155 Soldiers
According to the hierarchal order, the responsible listed as: Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, the Commander of the Israeli Navy Aluf Eli Marom, the head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Amos Yadlin and the commanders of the special unit of IDF, Shayetet 13, Ami Ayalon, Zeev Almog, and two other naval officers commanding the raid on the ship, whose names cannot be detect. The schema is included also the names and the photographs of the 148 soldiers who followed the orders.
The photographs of the 10 soldiers whose names cannot be detect send to the prosecutor. The prosecutor, asked the names of the all the soldiers who took part in the attack, to the Israeli Chief of General Stuff.
The Names of the Soldiers:
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Agai Yehezkel
Aharon Haliwa Alex Shakliar Amir Ulo Amir Abste Amir Shimon Ashel Anna Strelski Anton Siomin Aram Zehavi Ariel Brickman Ariel Karo Ariel Rifkin Ariel Yochanan Arnon Avital Assaf Bryt Avi Balut Avi Bnayahu Avi Mizrakhi Avi Peled Aviad Perri Agai Yehezkel Aharon Haliwa Alex Shakliar Amir Ulo Amir Abste Amir Shimon Ashel Anna Strelski Anton Siomin Aram Zehavi Ariel Brickman Ariel Karo Ariel Rifkin Ariel Yochanan Arnon Avital Assaf Bryt Avi Balut Avi Bnayahu Avi Mizrakhi Avi Peled Aviad Perri Aviel Siman Avihay Wizman Avihu Ben Zahar Avishay Levi Avishay Shasha Aviv Edri Aviv Kochavi |
Aviv Mendelowitz
Baruch (Barry) Berlinsky Basam Alian Ben-Zion (Benzi) Gruver Bnaya Sarel Boaz Dabush Boaz Rubin Boris Schuster Dado Bar- Kalifa Dan Dolberg Dan Harel Daniel Kotler David Shapira David Slovozkoi David Zini Eden Atias Eden Atias Efraim Aviad Tehila Efraim Avni Eitan Ben-Gad Elad Chachkis Elad Itzik Elad Shoshan Elad Yakobson Eli Fadida Eli Yafe Eliezer Shkedi Elik Sror Eran Karisi Erez Sa'adon Eyal Eizenberg Eyal Handelman Eyal Zukowsky Gil Shen Gur Rozenblat Gur Schreibmann Guy Givoni Guy Hazut Haggai Amar Hanan Schwart Harel Naaman Hila Yafe Ido Nechushtan Ilan Malka Itay Virob Liran Nachman Michelle Ben-Baruch |
Miki Ohayon
Moshe Tamir Nadav Musa Nathan Be'eri Nezah Rubin Nimrod Schefer Nir Ben-David Nir Dupet Nir Ohayon Niv Samban Noam Keshwisky Ofek Gal Ofer Lahad Ofer Levi Ofer Winter Ofer Zafrir Ofir Edri Ohad Girhish Ohad Najme Omer Dori Omri Dover Or Nelkenbaum Oren Bersano Oren Cohen Oren Kupitz Oren Zini Pinkhas Buchris Raz Sarig Ron Asherov Ron Levinger Ron Shirto Ronen Dan Ronen Dogmi Roi Elkabetz Roi Oppenheimer Roi Weinberger Sahar Abargel Shai Belaich Shaked Galin Sharon Itach Shaul Badusa Shay Unger Shimon Siso Shiran Mussa Shlomit Tako Tal Alkobi Tal Bendel |
Tal Kommemi
Tal Ruso Tamir Oren Tamir Yadai Tom Cohen Tomer Meltzmann Geva Rapp Tslil Birbir Udi Sagie Uri Ron Yair Keinan Yair Palay Ya'akov(Yaki) Dolf Yaniv Zolicha Yaron Finkelman Yaron Simsulo Yehosua (Shuki) Ribak Yehu Ofer Yehuda Fuchs Yehuda Hacohen Yigal Slovik Yigal Sudri Yizhar Yona Yoav Galant Yoav Gertner Yoav Mordechai Yochai Siemann Yochanan Locker Yom-Tov Samia Yonathan Barenski Yonathan Felman Yoni Weitzner Yossi Abuzaglo Yossi Bahar Yossi Beidaz Yotam Dadon Yishai Ankri Yishai Green Yuval Halamish Zion Bramli Zion Shankour Ziv Danieli Ziv Trabelsi Zuf Salomon Zvi Fogel Zvi Yehuda Kelner |
Turkish paper prints names of IDF soldiers allegedly involved in 2010 Gaza flotilla raid
A newspaper in Turkey has published a list of 174 names of Israelis who it alleges participated in the 2010 raid by an IDF commando on the Mavi Maramara vessel in which nine Turkish nationals were killed. The daily ‘Sabah’ wrote that 148 of the names had been acquired by analyzing connections on social network sites such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’, as well as comparing photographs on those websites with ones taken on board the Marmara.
The list of names was transferred to Turkish prosecutors, in addition to pictures of ten IDF soldiers the paper said Turkish intelligence agencies could not identify. Included on the list were not only those IDF soldiers who participated in the operation to stop the Gaza flotilla, but also senior IDF officials.
Earlier this month, a lawyer for the Turkish based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said he had submitted a list of the soldiers involved in the May 2010 raid on the ‘Mavi Marmara’ vessel to Turkish prosecutors. "We have presented a list of Israeli soldiers who gave the order for and who were involved in the attack on the Turkish flotilla to the Istanbul prosecutor's office," Ramazan Aritürk, lawyer for the group that organized the Gaza flotilla said. "Currently we are waiting for the prosecutor's office to issue an order for arrest," he was quoted as saying.
The move came as the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office appealed to the Turkish Intelligence Organization (MIT) in order to obtain information on the identities of the IDF soldiers who were involved in the raid which left nine Turks dead in May of last year, Turkish newspaper ‘Zaman’ reported earlier this month.
According ‘Zaman’, an affirmative answer from MIT would allow the prosecutor to open court cases against Israeli senior officials including President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu, former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, as well as against the soldiers involved in the raid. The charges would include the “willful murder and torture” and “limiting freedom” of the passengers, the paper reported.
A newspaper in Turkey has published a list of 174 names of Israelis who it alleges participated in the 2010 raid by an IDF commando on the Mavi Maramara vessel in which nine Turkish nationals were killed. The daily ‘Sabah’ wrote that 148 of the names had been acquired by analyzing connections on social network sites such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’, as well as comparing photographs on those websites with ones taken on board the Marmara.
The list of names was transferred to Turkish prosecutors, in addition to pictures of ten IDF soldiers the paper said Turkish intelligence agencies could not identify. Included on the list were not only those IDF soldiers who participated in the operation to stop the Gaza flotilla, but also senior IDF officials.
Earlier this month, a lawyer for the Turkish based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said he had submitted a list of the soldiers involved in the May 2010 raid on the ‘Mavi Marmara’ vessel to Turkish prosecutors. "We have presented a list of Israeli soldiers who gave the order for and who were involved in the attack on the Turkish flotilla to the Istanbul prosecutor's office," Ramazan Aritürk, lawyer for the group that organized the Gaza flotilla said. "Currently we are waiting for the prosecutor's office to issue an order for arrest," he was quoted as saying.
The move came as the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office appealed to the Turkish Intelligence Organization (MIT) in order to obtain information on the identities of the IDF soldiers who were involved in the raid which left nine Turks dead in May of last year, Turkish newspaper ‘Zaman’ reported earlier this month.
According ‘Zaman’, an affirmative answer from MIT would allow the prosecutor to open court cases against Israeli senior officials including President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu, former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, as well as against the soldiers involved in the raid. The charges would include the “willful murder and torture” and “limiting freedom” of the passengers, the paper reported.
22 sept 2011
PM Erdogan's address to the 66th UN General Assembly New York english subtitles
PM Erdogan's address to the 66th UN General Assembly New York english subtitles
When removed go here 14.00
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Mr. President,
For us the United Nations symbolizes an ideal which must uphold international law and justice over sheer force and oppression; peace over conflict; and the conscience of humanity over parochial interests.
The biggest obstacle preventing the realization of this ideal is the Arab-Israel conflict which has continued more than half a century. The failure to resolve this conflict and in its stead, sacrificing law and justice at every occasion for the sake of political sensitivities deal a great blow to the sense of international justice.
Israel has not complied with 89 binding resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council on this issue up to date. In addition to that, there are hundreds of General Assembly resolutions which have been totally disregarded by Israel. Even worse, the UN is not able to take any step to stop the human tragedy suffered by the Palestinian people.
This situation causes great dismay on the part of the international community. At present, it is obvious that this conflict can no longer remain unresolved and that the international community must act urgently to heal this bleeding wound.
In this regard, it is obvious that the problem stems from the Government of Israel. This country’s leaders are building new barriers to peace each day, instead of taking the necessary steps towards peace.
In this context, illegal settlements, which are still under way in the occupied territories of Palestine despite the calls by the international community, and the blockade on Gaza stand out in particular.
As we have stated before, the leaders of Israel must make a choice.
The loopholes of the UN system and certain lobby groups in some countries help Israel to evade international law and justice for its illegitimate actions. However, this will not yield the security that Israel needs most today.
The leaders of Israel must understand that real security can be possible only through building genuine peace.
I would like to call upon Israel once again from this rostrum:
“Nothing can be a substitute for peace. What we are faced with today is not a simple “peace for security” equation. You must better analyze the new political and social landscape emerging in the Middle East and realize that it is not possible to sustain the state of perpetual conflict and confrontation.”
As the international community, if we believe in the ideal of building international peace and security, the founding principle of the UN, then it is necessary to compel Israel to peace despite its own leaders and demonstrate clearly that this country is not above the law.
The most important step that needs to be taken in this direction is to meet the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people for being recognized as a state and to allow the representatives of the State of Palestine to take their well-deserved place in this august Assembly, as a member of the UN.
Turkey’s support to the recognition of the State of Palestine is unconditional.
Turkey is ready and willing to exert every effort to help build peace in the Middle East. In this regard, we will continue to work actively for the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, for the recognition of the State of Palestine, for the attainment of inter-Palestinian unity and for of the lifting of the illegal blockade enforced against the people of Gaza.
This commitment is not only a natural extension of our vision for regional peace and stability or our commitment to international law and justice, but it also emanates from our sense of responsibility against humanity.
Likewise, the reaction we have shown towards Israel, which killed nine innocent civilians during its attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in international waters, is yet another manifestation of this stance.
Turkey has never pursued hostile and confrontational policies against any other country. On the contrary, we have always followed a foreign policy based on cooperation and friendship. Israel is no exception to this.
However, Israel has made a grave mistake against a country and its people, which have shown only friendship to it throughout history, and insisted on not realizing its mistake.
Our demands from Israel are known. Our position will not change unless Israel takes the necessary steps to redress its mistake and meet our demands.
I wish to stress in particular that we have no problem with the Israeli people. The problem emanates from the aggressive policies of the Israeli government. In fact, with the previous Israeli governments, we have worked constructively and made progress on many issues. Whereas now, the source of the tension is merely and solely the current Israeli government.
Turkey is a responsible and trustworthy country, whose friendship and cooperation is sought in the international arena. We will never make any concessions from this principled and determined policy.
Mr. President,
We are witnessing a historic process of transformation and change in the Middle East. From the very first days of the outbreak of events, we made a clear call to the regimes in the region.
“Lend and ear to the calls of your people for democracy. Because, the ultimate source of legitimacy for every government is, above all, the people and its will. What needs to be done is to ensure the materialization of the people’s will in a free and open manner.
“We have also said that sovereignty belongs to the nation. Sovereignty which does not rest on the nation’s will is not legitimate.
“Sovereignty does not allow any leader or any regime to repress its own people or kill innocent civilians. A regime pointing guns to its own people can have no sovereignty or legitimacy.
“Today, everyone must understand that times have changed. At present there can be no place for governments which do not meet the legitimate needs and expectations of its people, point guns to its citizens, and choose oppression instead of justice and law.”
For us the United Nations symbolizes an ideal which must uphold international law and justice over sheer force and oppression; peace over conflict; and the conscience of humanity over parochial interests.
The biggest obstacle preventing the realization of this ideal is the Arab-Israel conflict which has continued more than half a century. The failure to resolve this conflict and in its stead, sacrificing law and justice at every occasion for the sake of political sensitivities deal a great blow to the sense of international justice.
Israel has not complied with 89 binding resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council on this issue up to date. In addition to that, there are hundreds of General Assembly resolutions which have been totally disregarded by Israel. Even worse, the UN is not able to take any step to stop the human tragedy suffered by the Palestinian people.
This situation causes great dismay on the part of the international community. At present, it is obvious that this conflict can no longer remain unresolved and that the international community must act urgently to heal this bleeding wound.
In this regard, it is obvious that the problem stems from the Government of Israel. This country’s leaders are building new barriers to peace each day, instead of taking the necessary steps towards peace.
In this context, illegal settlements, which are still under way in the occupied territories of Palestine despite the calls by the international community, and the blockade on Gaza stand out in particular.
As we have stated before, the leaders of Israel must make a choice.
The loopholes of the UN system and certain lobby groups in some countries help Israel to evade international law and justice for its illegitimate actions. However, this will not yield the security that Israel needs most today.
The leaders of Israel must understand that real security can be possible only through building genuine peace.
I would like to call upon Israel once again from this rostrum:
“Nothing can be a substitute for peace. What we are faced with today is not a simple “peace for security” equation. You must better analyze the new political and social landscape emerging in the Middle East and realize that it is not possible to sustain the state of perpetual conflict and confrontation.”
As the international community, if we believe in the ideal of building international peace and security, the founding principle of the UN, then it is necessary to compel Israel to peace despite its own leaders and demonstrate clearly that this country is not above the law.
The most important step that needs to be taken in this direction is to meet the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people for being recognized as a state and to allow the representatives of the State of Palestine to take their well-deserved place in this august Assembly, as a member of the UN.
Turkey’s support to the recognition of the State of Palestine is unconditional.
Turkey is ready and willing to exert every effort to help build peace in the Middle East. In this regard, we will continue to work actively for the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, for the recognition of the State of Palestine, for the attainment of inter-Palestinian unity and for of the lifting of the illegal blockade enforced against the people of Gaza.
This commitment is not only a natural extension of our vision for regional peace and stability or our commitment to international law and justice, but it also emanates from our sense of responsibility against humanity.
Likewise, the reaction we have shown towards Israel, which killed nine innocent civilians during its attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in international waters, is yet another manifestation of this stance.
Turkey has never pursued hostile and confrontational policies against any other country. On the contrary, we have always followed a foreign policy based on cooperation and friendship. Israel is no exception to this.
However, Israel has made a grave mistake against a country and its people, which have shown only friendship to it throughout history, and insisted on not realizing its mistake.
Our demands from Israel are known. Our position will not change unless Israel takes the necessary steps to redress its mistake and meet our demands.
I wish to stress in particular that we have no problem with the Israeli people. The problem emanates from the aggressive policies of the Israeli government. In fact, with the previous Israeli governments, we have worked constructively and made progress on many issues. Whereas now, the source of the tension is merely and solely the current Israeli government.
Turkey is a responsible and trustworthy country, whose friendship and cooperation is sought in the international arena. We will never make any concessions from this principled and determined policy.
Mr. President,
We are witnessing a historic process of transformation and change in the Middle East. From the very first days of the outbreak of events, we made a clear call to the regimes in the region.
“Lend and ear to the calls of your people for democracy. Because, the ultimate source of legitimacy for every government is, above all, the people and its will. What needs to be done is to ensure the materialization of the people’s will in a free and open manner.
“We have also said that sovereignty belongs to the nation. Sovereignty which does not rest on the nation’s will is not legitimate.
“Sovereignty does not allow any leader or any regime to repress its own people or kill innocent civilians. A regime pointing guns to its own people can have no sovereignty or legitimacy.
“Today, everyone must understand that times have changed. At present there can be no place for governments which do not meet the legitimate needs and expectations of its people, point guns to its citizens, and choose oppression instead of justice and law.”
20 sept 2011
OIC renews condemnation of Palmer report
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has lashed out anew at the international Palmer report on the Israeli navy attack on Freedom Flotilla for deeming the Israeli blockade on Gaza Strip as “legal”.
It said in a statement at conclusion of its meeting on Tuesday that it supported all moves aimed at lifting the oppressive siege on the Gaza people.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, reiterated the organization’s stand at his inaugural address at the meeting.
The OIC statement said it supported the Palestinian effort aimed at obtaining UN recognition of a Palestinian state.
It said in a statement at conclusion of its meeting on Tuesday that it supported all moves aimed at lifting the oppressive siege on the Gaza people.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, reiterated the organization’s stand at his inaugural address at the meeting.
The OIC statement said it supported the Palestinian effort aimed at obtaining UN recognition of a Palestinian state.
15 sept 2011
International groups call on Quartet to clarify Palmer report
A group of international organizations issued a public letter on Thursday urging the Middle East Quartet to clarify that a UN-sponsored report did not declare the blockade on Gaza to be legal.
The Palmer report into Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in 2010, made public on Sept. 1, found the naval blockade by Israel's military to be lawful, but not "the entire closure regime imposed on Gaza," the letter said.
Signed by 19 humanitarian, development, human rights and peace-building organizations, including Amnesty International and Save the Children, the dispatch called on the Quartet to ensure the report's findings are "not misunderstood."
The International Committee of the Red Cross has said the Gaza closure "constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law," the letter noted.
The Palmer report "only focuses on the naval blockade of Gaza and explicitly does not address the legality of the overall closure regime," it said.
The signatories said they "continue to witness the unnecessary daily suffering of the civilian population," as a result of the blockade through their programs in Gaza.
They noted that 54 percent of Gaza's population are food insecure, and exports from Gaza are around one percent pre-2007 levels.
Numbers of Palestinians allowed to exit Gaza via Israeli crossings also remain around one percent pre-2000 levels, the letter added.
International signatories said the Palmer report recommendation that Israel continue to ease the blockade was not enough.
"Israel should be required to comply with its international legal obligations and lift its closure on Gaza fully and immediately," including allowing exports and imports, travel between Gaza and the West Bank, and access to arable land and fishing waters currently off limits, the letter said.
The Palmer report into Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in 2010, made public on Sept. 1, found the naval blockade by Israel's military to be lawful, but not "the entire closure regime imposed on Gaza," the letter said.
Signed by 19 humanitarian, development, human rights and peace-building organizations, including Amnesty International and Save the Children, the dispatch called on the Quartet to ensure the report's findings are "not misunderstood."
The International Committee of the Red Cross has said the Gaza closure "constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law," the letter noted.
The Palmer report "only focuses on the naval blockade of Gaza and explicitly does not address the legality of the overall closure regime," it said.
The signatories said they "continue to witness the unnecessary daily suffering of the civilian population," as a result of the blockade through their programs in Gaza.
They noted that 54 percent of Gaza's population are food insecure, and exports from Gaza are around one percent pre-2007 levels.
Numbers of Palestinians allowed to exit Gaza via Israeli crossings also remain around one percent pre-2000 levels, the letter added.
International signatories said the Palmer report recommendation that Israel continue to ease the blockade was not enough.
"Israel should be required to comply with its international legal obligations and lift its closure on Gaza fully and immediately," including allowing exports and imports, travel between Gaza and the West Bank, and access to arable land and fishing waters currently off limits, the letter said.
13 sept 2011
UN experts say Israel's blockade of Gaza illegal
Panel of independent rights experts disputes Palmer Report conclusions, claims naval blockade subjects Gazans to collective punishment in 'flagrant contravention of human rights.' Palmer report conclusions influenced by desire to salve Turkish-Israeli ties, one expert claims.
Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip violates international law, a panel of human rights experts reporting to a UN body said on Tuesday, disputing a conclusion reached by a separate UN probe into Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship.
The so-called Palmer Report on the Israeli raid of May 2010 that killed nine Turkish activists said earlier this month that Israel had used unreasonable force in last year's raid, but its naval blockade of the Hamas-ruled strip was legal.
A panel of five independent UN rights experts reporting to the UN Human Rights Council rejected that conclusion, saying the blockade had subjected Gazans to collective punishment in "flagrant contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law".
The four-year blockade deprived 1.6 million Palestinians living in the enclave of fundamental rights, they said.
"In pronouncing itself on the legality of the naval blockade, the Palmer Report does not recognize the naval blockade as an integral part of Israel's closure policy towards Gaza which has a disproportionate impact on the human rights of civilians," they said in a joint statement.
An earlier fact-finding mission named by the same UN forum to investigate the flotilla incident also found in a report last September that the blockade violated international law. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says the blockade violates the Geneva Conventions.
Israel says its Gaza blockade is a precaution against arms reaching Hamas and other Palestinian guerrillas by sea.
The four-man panel headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer found Israel had used unreasonable force in dealing with what it called "organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers".
Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip violates international law, a panel of human rights experts reporting to a UN body said on Tuesday, disputing a conclusion reached by a separate UN probe into Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship.
The so-called Palmer Report on the Israeli raid of May 2010 that killed nine Turkish activists said earlier this month that Israel had used unreasonable force in last year's raid, but its naval blockade of the Hamas-ruled strip was legal.
A panel of five independent UN rights experts reporting to the UN Human Rights Council rejected that conclusion, saying the blockade had subjected Gazans to collective punishment in "flagrant contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law".
The four-year blockade deprived 1.6 million Palestinians living in the enclave of fundamental rights, they said.
"In pronouncing itself on the legality of the naval blockade, the Palmer Report does not recognize the naval blockade as an integral part of Israel's closure policy towards Gaza which has a disproportionate impact on the human rights of civilians," they said in a joint statement.
An earlier fact-finding mission named by the same UN forum to investigate the flotilla incident also found in a report last September that the blockade violated international law. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says the blockade violates the Geneva Conventions.
Israel says its Gaza blockade is a precaution against arms reaching Hamas and other Palestinian guerrillas by sea.
The four-man panel headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer found Israel had used unreasonable force in dealing with what it called "organized and violent resistance from a group of passengers".
Turkey has downgraded ties with Israel over the incident
Prof. Richard Falk
Richard Falk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the West Bank and one of the five experts who issued Tuesday's statement, said the Palmer report's conclusions were influenced by a desire to salve Turkish-Israeli ties.
"The Palmer report was aimed at political reconciliation between Israel and Turkey. It is unfortunate that in the report politics should trump the law," he said in the statement.
About one-third of Gaza's arable land and 85 percent of its fishing waters are totally or partially inaccessible due to Israeli military measures, said Olivier De Schutter, UN special rapporteur on the right to food, another of the five.
At least two-thirds of Gazan households lack secure access to food, he said. "People are forced to make unacceptable trade-offs, often having to choose between food or medicine or water for their families."
The other three experts were the UN special rapporteurs on physical and mental health; extreme poverty and human rights; and access to water and sanitation.
Richard Falk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the West Bank and one of the five experts who issued Tuesday's statement, said the Palmer report's conclusions were influenced by a desire to salve Turkish-Israeli ties.
"The Palmer report was aimed at political reconciliation between Israel and Turkey. It is unfortunate that in the report politics should trump the law," he said in the statement.
About one-third of Gaza's arable land and 85 percent of its fishing waters are totally or partially inaccessible due to Israeli military measures, said Olivier De Schutter, UN special rapporteur on the right to food, another of the five.
At least two-thirds of Gazan households lack secure access to food, he said. "People are forced to make unacceptable trade-offs, often having to choose between food or medicine or water for their families."
The other three experts were the UN special rapporteurs on physical and mental health; extreme poverty and human rights; and access to water and sanitation.
11 sept 2011
Disappointment at the United Nations: The Palmer Report on the Flotilla Incident of 31 May 2010
By Prof. Richard Falk
When the UN Secretary General announced on 2 August 2010 that a Panel of Inquiry had been established to investigate the Israeli attacks of 31 May on the Mavi Marmara and five other ships carrying humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza there was widespread hope that international law would be vindicated and the Israelis would finally be held accountable. With the release of the report this past week these hopes have been largely dashed as the report failed to address the central international law issues in a credible and satisfactory manner. Turkey, not surprisingly, responded strongly that it was not prepared to live with the central finding of the 105 page report to the effect that the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip is lawful and could be enforced by Israel against a humanitarian mission even in international waters.
Perhaps this outcome should not be surprising. The Panel as appointed was woefully ill-equipped to render an authoritative result. Geoffrey Palmer, the Chair of the Panel, although respected as the former Prime Minister of New Zealand and as an environmental law professor, was not particularly knowledgeable about either the international law of the sea or the law of war. And incredibly, the only other independent member of the Panel was Alvaro Uribe, the former President of Colombia, with no professional credentials relevant to the issues under consideration, and notorious both for his horrible human rights record while holding office and forging intimate ties with Israel by way of arms purchases and diplomatic cooperation that was acknowledged by 'The Light Unto The Nations' award given by the American Jewish Committee that should have been sufficient by itself to cast doubt on his suitability for this appointment.
His presence on the panel compromised the integrity of the process, and made one wonder how could such an appointment can be explained, let alone justified. The remaining two members were designated by the governments of Israel and Turkey, and not surprisingly appended partisan dissents to those portions of the report that criticized the position taken by their respective governments. Another limitation of the report was that the Panel was constrained by its terms of reference that prohibited reliance on any materials other than presented in the two national reports submitted by the contending governments. With these considerations in mind, we can only wonder why the Secretary General would have established a framework so ill-equipped to reach findings that would put the controversy to rest, which it has certainly not done.
Even this ill-conceived panel did not altogether endorse Israeli behavior on 31 May. They found that Israel used excessive force and seemed responsible for the deaths of the nine passengers on the Mavi Marmara, instructing Israel to pay compensation and issue a statement of regret. In other words the Palmer Report seems to fault seriously the manner by which the Israeli enforced the blockade, but unfortunately upheld the underlying legality of both the blockade and the right of enforcement, and that is the rub. Such a conclusion contradicted the earlier finding of a more expert panel established by the Human Rights Council, as well as rejected the overwhelming consensus that had been expressed by qualified international law specialists on these core issues.
While the Panel delayed the report several times to give diplomacy a chance to resolve the contested issues, Israel and Turkey could never quite reach closure. There were intriguing reports along the way that unpublicized discussions between representatives of the two governments had reached a compromise agreement on the basis of Israel's readiness to offer Turkey a formal apology and to compensate the families of those killed as well as those wounded during the attack, but when the time for announcing such a resolution of this conflict, Israel backed away. In particular, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, seemed unwilling to take the last step, claiming that it would demoralize the citizenry of Israel and signal weakness to Israel's enemies in the region.
More cynical observers believed that the Israeli refusal to resolve the conflict was a reflection of domestic politics, especially Netanyahu's rivalry with the extremist Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who was forever accusing Netanyahu of being a wimpy leader and made no secret of his own ambition to be the next Israeli head of state. Whatever the true mix of reasons, the diplomatic track failed, despite cheerleading from Washington that made no secret of its view that resolving this conflict had become a high priority for American foreign policy. And so the Palmer Report assumed a greater role than might have been anticipated. After the feverish diplomatic efforts failed, the Palmer panel seemed to offer the last chance for the parties to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution based on the application of the international law and resulting recommendations that would delimit what must be done to overcome any violations that had taken place during the attack on the flotilla.
But to be satisfactory, the report had to interpret the legal issues in a reasonable and responsible manner. This meant, above all else, that the underlying blockade imposed more than four years ago on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza was unlawful, and should be immediately lifted. On this basis, the enforcement by way of the 31 May attacks were unlawful, an offense aggravated by being the gross interference with freedom of navigation on the high seas, and further aggravated by producing nine deaths among the humanitarian workers and peace activists on the Mavi Marmara and by Israeli harassing and abusive behavior toward the rest of the passengers. Such conclusions should have been 'no brainers' for the panel, so obvious were these determinations from the perspective of international law as to leave little room for reasonable doubt.
But this was not to be, and the report as written is a step backward from the fundamental effort of international law to limit permissible uses of international force to situations of established defensive necessity, and even then, to ensure that the scale of force employed, was proportional and respectful of civilian innocence. It is a further step back to the extent that it purports to allow a state to enforce on the high seas a blockade, condemned around the world for its cruelty and damaging impact on civilian mental and physical health, a blockade that has deliberately deprived the people of Gaza of the necessities of life as well as locked them into a crowded and impoverished space that has been mercilessly attacked with modern weaponry from time to time.
Given these stark realities it is little wonder that the Turkish Government reacted with anger and disclosed their resolve to proceed in a manner that expresses not only its sense of law and justice, but also reflects Turkish efforts in recent years to base regional relations on principles of fairness and mutual respect. The Turkish Foreign Minister, realizing that the results reached by the Palmer Panel were unacceptable, formulated his own Plan B. This consisted of responses not only to the report, but to the failure of Israel to act benignly on its own by offering a formal apology and setting up adequate compensation arrangements. Israel had more than a year to meet these minimal Turkish demands, and showed its unwillingness to do so.
As Mr. Davutoglu made clear this Turkish response was not intended to produce an encounter with Israel, but to put the relations between the countries back on 'the right track.' I believe that this is the correct approach under the circumstances as it takes international law seriously, and rests policy on issues of principle and prudence rather than opts for geopolitical opportunism. As Davutoglu said plainly, "The time has come for Israel to pay a price for its illegal action. The price, first of all, is being deprived of Turkey's friendship."
And it this withdrawal of friendship is not just symbolic. Turkey has downgraded diplomatic representation, expelling the Israeli ambassador and maintaining relations at the measly level of second secretary. Beyond this all forms of military cooperation are suspended, and Turkey indicated that it will strengthen its naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. As well, Turkey has indicated its intention to initiate action within the General Assembly to seek an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice as to the legality of the blockade. What is sadly evident is that Israeli internal politics have become so belligerent and militarist that the political leaders in the country are hamstrung, unable to take a foreign policy initiative that is manifestly in their national interest. For Israel to lose Turkey's friendship is second only to losing America's support, and coupled with the more democratic-driven policies of the Arab Spring, this alienation of Ankara is a major setback for Israel's future in the region.
What is more, the Turkish refusal to swallow the findings of the Palmer Report is an admirable posture that is bound to be popular throughout the Middle East and beyond. At a time when some of Turkey's earlier diplomatic initiatives have run into difficulties, most evidently in Syria, this stand on behalf of the victimized population of Gaza represents a rare display of placing values above interests. The people of Gaza are weak, abused, and vulnerable. In contrast, Israel is a military powerhouse, prospering, a valuable trading partner for Turkey, and in the background the United States is ready to pay a pretty penny if it could induce a rapprochement, thereby avoiding the awkwardness of dealing with this breakdown between its two most significant strategic partners in the Middle East.
We should also keep in mind that the passengers on these flotilla ships were mainly idealists, seeking nonviolently to overcome a humanitarian ordeal that the UN and the interplay of national governments had been unable and unwilling to address for several years. This initiative by civil society activists deserved the support and solidarity of the world, not a slap on the wrist by being chastened by the Palmer report's view that their action were irresponsible and provocative.
Israel has managed up to now to avoid paying the price for defying international law. For decades it has been building unlawful settlements in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has used excessive violence and relied on state terror on numerous occasions in dealing with Palestinian resistance, and has subjected the people of Gaza to sustained and extreme forms of collective punishment. It attacked villages and neighborhood of Beirut mercilessly in 2006, launched its massive campaign from land, sea, and air for three weeks at the end of 2008 against a defenseless Gaza, and then shocked world opinion with its violence against the Mavi Marmara in its nighttime attack in 2010.
It should have been made to pay the price long ago for this pattern of defying international law, above all by the United Nations. If Turkey sustains its position it will finally send a message to Tel Aviv that the wellbeing and security of Israel in the future will depend on a change of course in its relation to both the Palestinians and its regional neighbors. The days of flaunting international law and fundamental human rights are no longer policy options for Israel without a downside. Turkey is dramatically demonstrating that there can be a decided downside to Israeli flagrant lawlessness.
The author is the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
UN rapporteur: Flawed Mavi Marmara report dashes hopes
The United Nations report on the Israeli raid that killed nine Turks on a ship bound for Gaza is far from credible and satisfactory, according to a prominent professor of international law who decried the report for dashing hopes that Israel would finally be held accountable for its illegal and illegitimate actions.
“Perhaps this outcome should not be surprising. The panel was woefully ill-equipped to render an authoritative result. Former New Zealand Prime Minister and environmental law professor Geoffrey Palmer, the chair of the panel, was not particularly knowledgeable about either international maritime law or the law of war. And incredibly, the only other independent member of the panel was Alvaro Uribe, the former President of Colombia. Uribe has no professional credentials related to the issues under consideration. He is notorious both for his horrible human rights record while holding office and for forging intimate ties with Israel through arms purchases and diplomatic cooperation.
The fact that he received [the ‘Light unto the] Nations' award from the American Jewish Committee [AJC] should have been sufficient in itself to cast doubt on his suitability for this appointment,” Richard Falk, a professor emeritus of international law and practice who taught at Princeton University for 40 years, said in an article posted on Al Jazeera's website over the weekend.
Falk is currently in his fourth year of a six-year term as a United Nations special rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.
On Sept. 2, following the leaking of the UN report, Turkey on Friday froze all military pacts with Israel, expelled the Israeli ambassador and threatened with legal sanctions as the report failed to trigger an Israeli apology.
The report said that Israel had used unreasonable force in the raid of the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, but added that pro-Palestinian activists onboard mounted an organized and violent resistance.
Palmer, the panel's chair, and Uribe, the panel's co-chair, adopted the report. But Israeli representative Joseph Ciechanover and Turkish representative Özdem Sanberk disagreed with the parts of it that were critical of their countries in separate statements distributed along with the report.
“Even this ill-conceived panel did not altogether endorse Israeli behavior on May 31. The panel found that Israel used excessive force and seemed responsible for the deaths of the nine passengers on the Mavi Marmara, instructed Israel to pay compensation and issued a statement of regret. In other words, the Palmer Report seems to seriously fault the manner in which the [Israelis] enforced the blockade, but unfortunately upheld the underlying legality of both the blockade and the right of enforcement. And that is the rub. Such a conclusion contradicted the earlier finding of a more expert panel established by the Human Rights Council, and also rejected the overwhelming consensus that had been expressed by qualified international law specialists on these core issues,” Falk argued.
Until now, Israel has managed to avoid paying the price for defying international law, Falk said, citing the settlements it has been building for decades in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as an example.
“It has used excessive violence and relied on state terror on numerous occasions in dealing with Palestinian resistance. It has subjected the people of Gaza to sustained and extreme forms of collective punishment. It attacked Lebanese villages and Beirut neighborhoods mercilessly in 2006, launched a massive campaign against a defenseless Gaza at the end of 2008, and then shocked world opinion with its violence against the Mavi Marmara during its nighttime attack in 2010. Israel should have been made to pay the price long ago for its pattern of defying international law, above all by the United Nations,” Falk stated.
“If Turkey sustains its position, it will finally send a message to Tel Aviv that the wellbeing and security of Israel in the future will depend on a change of course in its relations with both the Palestinians and its regional neighbors. For Israel, the days of flaunting international law and fundamental human rights are no longer policy options without a downside. Turkey is dramatically demonstrating that there can be a decided downside to flagrant Israeli lawlessness,” he concluded.
When the UN Secretary General announced on 2 August 2010 that a Panel of Inquiry had been established to investigate the Israeli attacks of 31 May on the Mavi Marmara and five other ships carrying humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza there was widespread hope that international law would be vindicated and the Israelis would finally be held accountable. With the release of the report this past week these hopes have been largely dashed as the report failed to address the central international law issues in a credible and satisfactory manner. Turkey, not surprisingly, responded strongly that it was not prepared to live with the central finding of the 105 page report to the effect that the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip is lawful and could be enforced by Israel against a humanitarian mission even in international waters.
Perhaps this outcome should not be surprising. The Panel as appointed was woefully ill-equipped to render an authoritative result. Geoffrey Palmer, the Chair of the Panel, although respected as the former Prime Minister of New Zealand and as an environmental law professor, was not particularly knowledgeable about either the international law of the sea or the law of war. And incredibly, the only other independent member of the Panel was Alvaro Uribe, the former President of Colombia, with no professional credentials relevant to the issues under consideration, and notorious both for his horrible human rights record while holding office and forging intimate ties with Israel by way of arms purchases and diplomatic cooperation that was acknowledged by 'The Light Unto The Nations' award given by the American Jewish Committee that should have been sufficient by itself to cast doubt on his suitability for this appointment.
His presence on the panel compromised the integrity of the process, and made one wonder how could such an appointment can be explained, let alone justified. The remaining two members were designated by the governments of Israel and Turkey, and not surprisingly appended partisan dissents to those portions of the report that criticized the position taken by their respective governments. Another limitation of the report was that the Panel was constrained by its terms of reference that prohibited reliance on any materials other than presented in the two national reports submitted by the contending governments. With these considerations in mind, we can only wonder why the Secretary General would have established a framework so ill-equipped to reach findings that would put the controversy to rest, which it has certainly not done.
Even this ill-conceived panel did not altogether endorse Israeli behavior on 31 May. They found that Israel used excessive force and seemed responsible for the deaths of the nine passengers on the Mavi Marmara, instructing Israel to pay compensation and issue a statement of regret. In other words the Palmer Report seems to fault seriously the manner by which the Israeli enforced the blockade, but unfortunately upheld the underlying legality of both the blockade and the right of enforcement, and that is the rub. Such a conclusion contradicted the earlier finding of a more expert panel established by the Human Rights Council, as well as rejected the overwhelming consensus that had been expressed by qualified international law specialists on these core issues.
While the Panel delayed the report several times to give diplomacy a chance to resolve the contested issues, Israel and Turkey could never quite reach closure. There were intriguing reports along the way that unpublicized discussions between representatives of the two governments had reached a compromise agreement on the basis of Israel's readiness to offer Turkey a formal apology and to compensate the families of those killed as well as those wounded during the attack, but when the time for announcing such a resolution of this conflict, Israel backed away. In particular, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, seemed unwilling to take the last step, claiming that it would demoralize the citizenry of Israel and signal weakness to Israel's enemies in the region.
More cynical observers believed that the Israeli refusal to resolve the conflict was a reflection of domestic politics, especially Netanyahu's rivalry with the extremist Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who was forever accusing Netanyahu of being a wimpy leader and made no secret of his own ambition to be the next Israeli head of state. Whatever the true mix of reasons, the diplomatic track failed, despite cheerleading from Washington that made no secret of its view that resolving this conflict had become a high priority for American foreign policy. And so the Palmer Report assumed a greater role than might have been anticipated. After the feverish diplomatic efforts failed, the Palmer panel seemed to offer the last chance for the parties to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution based on the application of the international law and resulting recommendations that would delimit what must be done to overcome any violations that had taken place during the attack on the flotilla.
But to be satisfactory, the report had to interpret the legal issues in a reasonable and responsible manner. This meant, above all else, that the underlying blockade imposed more than four years ago on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza was unlawful, and should be immediately lifted. On this basis, the enforcement by way of the 31 May attacks were unlawful, an offense aggravated by being the gross interference with freedom of navigation on the high seas, and further aggravated by producing nine deaths among the humanitarian workers and peace activists on the Mavi Marmara and by Israeli harassing and abusive behavior toward the rest of the passengers. Such conclusions should have been 'no brainers' for the panel, so obvious were these determinations from the perspective of international law as to leave little room for reasonable doubt.
But this was not to be, and the report as written is a step backward from the fundamental effort of international law to limit permissible uses of international force to situations of established defensive necessity, and even then, to ensure that the scale of force employed, was proportional and respectful of civilian innocence. It is a further step back to the extent that it purports to allow a state to enforce on the high seas a blockade, condemned around the world for its cruelty and damaging impact on civilian mental and physical health, a blockade that has deliberately deprived the people of Gaza of the necessities of life as well as locked them into a crowded and impoverished space that has been mercilessly attacked with modern weaponry from time to time.
Given these stark realities it is little wonder that the Turkish Government reacted with anger and disclosed their resolve to proceed in a manner that expresses not only its sense of law and justice, but also reflects Turkish efforts in recent years to base regional relations on principles of fairness and mutual respect. The Turkish Foreign Minister, realizing that the results reached by the Palmer Panel were unacceptable, formulated his own Plan B. This consisted of responses not only to the report, but to the failure of Israel to act benignly on its own by offering a formal apology and setting up adequate compensation arrangements. Israel had more than a year to meet these minimal Turkish demands, and showed its unwillingness to do so.
As Mr. Davutoglu made clear this Turkish response was not intended to produce an encounter with Israel, but to put the relations between the countries back on 'the right track.' I believe that this is the correct approach under the circumstances as it takes international law seriously, and rests policy on issues of principle and prudence rather than opts for geopolitical opportunism. As Davutoglu said plainly, "The time has come for Israel to pay a price for its illegal action. The price, first of all, is being deprived of Turkey's friendship."
And it this withdrawal of friendship is not just symbolic. Turkey has downgraded diplomatic representation, expelling the Israeli ambassador and maintaining relations at the measly level of second secretary. Beyond this all forms of military cooperation are suspended, and Turkey indicated that it will strengthen its naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. As well, Turkey has indicated its intention to initiate action within the General Assembly to seek an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice as to the legality of the blockade. What is sadly evident is that Israeli internal politics have become so belligerent and militarist that the political leaders in the country are hamstrung, unable to take a foreign policy initiative that is manifestly in their national interest. For Israel to lose Turkey's friendship is second only to losing America's support, and coupled with the more democratic-driven policies of the Arab Spring, this alienation of Ankara is a major setback for Israel's future in the region.
What is more, the Turkish refusal to swallow the findings of the Palmer Report is an admirable posture that is bound to be popular throughout the Middle East and beyond. At a time when some of Turkey's earlier diplomatic initiatives have run into difficulties, most evidently in Syria, this stand on behalf of the victimized population of Gaza represents a rare display of placing values above interests. The people of Gaza are weak, abused, and vulnerable. In contrast, Israel is a military powerhouse, prospering, a valuable trading partner for Turkey, and in the background the United States is ready to pay a pretty penny if it could induce a rapprochement, thereby avoiding the awkwardness of dealing with this breakdown between its two most significant strategic partners in the Middle East.
We should also keep in mind that the passengers on these flotilla ships were mainly idealists, seeking nonviolently to overcome a humanitarian ordeal that the UN and the interplay of national governments had been unable and unwilling to address for several years. This initiative by civil society activists deserved the support and solidarity of the world, not a slap on the wrist by being chastened by the Palmer report's view that their action were irresponsible and provocative.
Israel has managed up to now to avoid paying the price for defying international law. For decades it has been building unlawful settlements in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has used excessive violence and relied on state terror on numerous occasions in dealing with Palestinian resistance, and has subjected the people of Gaza to sustained and extreme forms of collective punishment. It attacked villages and neighborhood of Beirut mercilessly in 2006, launched its massive campaign from land, sea, and air for three weeks at the end of 2008 against a defenseless Gaza, and then shocked world opinion with its violence against the Mavi Marmara in its nighttime attack in 2010.
It should have been made to pay the price long ago for this pattern of defying international law, above all by the United Nations. If Turkey sustains its position it will finally send a message to Tel Aviv that the wellbeing and security of Israel in the future will depend on a change of course in its relation to both the Palestinians and its regional neighbors. The days of flaunting international law and fundamental human rights are no longer policy options for Israel without a downside. Turkey is dramatically demonstrating that there can be a decided downside to Israeli flagrant lawlessness.
The author is the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
UN rapporteur: Flawed Mavi Marmara report dashes hopes
The United Nations report on the Israeli raid that killed nine Turks on a ship bound for Gaza is far from credible and satisfactory, according to a prominent professor of international law who decried the report for dashing hopes that Israel would finally be held accountable for its illegal and illegitimate actions.
“Perhaps this outcome should not be surprising. The panel was woefully ill-equipped to render an authoritative result. Former New Zealand Prime Minister and environmental law professor Geoffrey Palmer, the chair of the panel, was not particularly knowledgeable about either international maritime law or the law of war. And incredibly, the only other independent member of the panel was Alvaro Uribe, the former President of Colombia. Uribe has no professional credentials related to the issues under consideration. He is notorious both for his horrible human rights record while holding office and for forging intimate ties with Israel through arms purchases and diplomatic cooperation.
The fact that he received [the ‘Light unto the] Nations' award from the American Jewish Committee [AJC] should have been sufficient in itself to cast doubt on his suitability for this appointment,” Richard Falk, a professor emeritus of international law and practice who taught at Princeton University for 40 years, said in an article posted on Al Jazeera's website over the weekend.
Falk is currently in his fourth year of a six-year term as a United Nations special rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.
On Sept. 2, following the leaking of the UN report, Turkey on Friday froze all military pacts with Israel, expelled the Israeli ambassador and threatened with legal sanctions as the report failed to trigger an Israeli apology.
The report said that Israel had used unreasonable force in the raid of the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, but added that pro-Palestinian activists onboard mounted an organized and violent resistance.
Palmer, the panel's chair, and Uribe, the panel's co-chair, adopted the report. But Israeli representative Joseph Ciechanover and Turkish representative Özdem Sanberk disagreed with the parts of it that were critical of their countries in separate statements distributed along with the report.
“Even this ill-conceived panel did not altogether endorse Israeli behavior on May 31. The panel found that Israel used excessive force and seemed responsible for the deaths of the nine passengers on the Mavi Marmara, instructed Israel to pay compensation and issued a statement of regret. In other words, the Palmer Report seems to seriously fault the manner in which the [Israelis] enforced the blockade, but unfortunately upheld the underlying legality of both the blockade and the right of enforcement. And that is the rub. Such a conclusion contradicted the earlier finding of a more expert panel established by the Human Rights Council, and also rejected the overwhelming consensus that had been expressed by qualified international law specialists on these core issues,” Falk argued.
Until now, Israel has managed to avoid paying the price for defying international law, Falk said, citing the settlements it has been building for decades in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as an example.
“It has used excessive violence and relied on state terror on numerous occasions in dealing with Palestinian resistance. It has subjected the people of Gaza to sustained and extreme forms of collective punishment. It attacked Lebanese villages and Beirut neighborhoods mercilessly in 2006, launched a massive campaign against a defenseless Gaza at the end of 2008, and then shocked world opinion with its violence against the Mavi Marmara during its nighttime attack in 2010. Israel should have been made to pay the price long ago for its pattern of defying international law, above all by the United Nations,” Falk stated.
“If Turkey sustains its position, it will finally send a message to Tel Aviv that the wellbeing and security of Israel in the future will depend on a change of course in its relations with both the Palestinians and its regional neighbors. For Israel, the days of flaunting international law and fundamental human rights are no longer policy options without a downside. Turkey is dramatically demonstrating that there can be a decided downside to flagrant Israeli lawlessness,” he concluded.
10 sept 2011
Erdogan says misquoted on warships
Turkish PM's office softens threat of military clash at sea, says country 'won't send vessel to Mediterranean Sea as long as Israel avoids intervening in freedom of movement in international waters'.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement that Turkish warships would escort the next Gaza-bound aid flotillas spared a row in Israel and across the world. The remarks were perceived as particularly aggressive, creating a basis for further escalation in the deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkey.
Now it seems the Turks are attempting to soften the statement, claiming that Erdogan's words were translated in a way that distorts his original intention.
"Turkish warships, in the first place, are authorized to protect our ships that carry humanitarian aid to Gaza," Erdogan was quoted as saying this week. "From now on, we will not let these ships to be attacked by Israel, as what happened with the Freedom Flotilla.
According to official sources in Turkey, reporters artificially combined two different remarks made by the Turkish prime minister, creating one sentence perceived as a threat of a military clash in high seas.
The new version, sent to the media from Erdogan's office, attempts to clarify the statement.
"We stressed the principle that we will ensure the safe movement of Gaza's aid vessel," said a senior Turkish government source. "The eastern Mediterranean Sea is not Israel's private playground. As long as it avoids intervening in the freedom of movement in the region, we won't send any warships to escort the vessels."
The source dismissed the published quotes as a bad translation which failed to understand Erdogan's intention. "It appeared as if we were offering to have warships escort every aid vessel. This is not true. Turkey will defend the rights of its citizens only when Israel chooses to intervene and prevent free movement in international waters."
The diplomatic relations between Ankara and Jerusalem reached a new low last weekend, after Israel refused to apologize for the May 31, 2010 deadly IDF raid on a Gaza-Bound flotilla.
In response, Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and senior diplomats and said it would increase its Navy's activity in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and suspended all military trade ties between the two countries.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement that Turkish warships would escort the next Gaza-bound aid flotillas spared a row in Israel and across the world. The remarks were perceived as particularly aggressive, creating a basis for further escalation in the deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkey.
Now it seems the Turks are attempting to soften the statement, claiming that Erdogan's words were translated in a way that distorts his original intention.
"Turkish warships, in the first place, are authorized to protect our ships that carry humanitarian aid to Gaza," Erdogan was quoted as saying this week. "From now on, we will not let these ships to be attacked by Israel, as what happened with the Freedom Flotilla.
According to official sources in Turkey, reporters artificially combined two different remarks made by the Turkish prime minister, creating one sentence perceived as a threat of a military clash in high seas.
The new version, sent to the media from Erdogan's office, attempts to clarify the statement.
"We stressed the principle that we will ensure the safe movement of Gaza's aid vessel," said a senior Turkish government source. "The eastern Mediterranean Sea is not Israel's private playground. As long as it avoids intervening in the freedom of movement in the region, we won't send any warships to escort the vessels."
The source dismissed the published quotes as a bad translation which failed to understand Erdogan's intention. "It appeared as if we were offering to have warships escort every aid vessel. This is not true. Turkey will defend the rights of its citizens only when Israel chooses to intervene and prevent free movement in international waters."
The diplomatic relations between Ankara and Jerusalem reached a new low last weekend, after Israel refused to apologize for the May 31, 2010 deadly IDF raid on a Gaza-Bound flotilla.
In response, Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and senior diplomats and said it would increase its Navy's activity in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and suspended all military trade ties between the two countries.
Erdogan slams Obama over US flotilla victim
Furkan Dogan 19
Turkish prime minister says he asked US president whether he took no interest in American casualty who died onboard the Mavi Marmara because he was also Turkish, claiming Obama 'did not reply'.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday slammed US President Barack Obama, claiming he did not take interest in the Turkish-American citizen who died on board the Mavi Marmara during the 2010 IDF raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla.
Speaking on national Television station TRT, Erdogan said "I asked Obama whether he has no interest in the American casualty because he is also Turkish – and he didn’t reply."
The Turkish prime minister reiterated Ankara's intention to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, after Jerusalem refused to issue an apology and pay compensation to the families of the victims.
"We'll take this to The Hague, and the world will witness once more who are the ones standing beside the victims," he said, while criticizing elements in Turkey's opposition groups, whom he called "Israel's advocates."
Despite his harsh statement, Erdogan did not reiterate the controversial comments he made during an al-Jazeera interview on Thursday, by which Turkish warships will be dispatched to escort future humanitarian naval convoys to Gaza.
Erdogan's bureau issued a clarification on Friday, stating that the comments were taken out of context and that the prime minister was misquoted.
Turkish prime minister says he asked US president whether he took no interest in American casualty who died onboard the Mavi Marmara because he was also Turkish, claiming Obama 'did not reply'.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday slammed US President Barack Obama, claiming he did not take interest in the Turkish-American citizen who died on board the Mavi Marmara during the 2010 IDF raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla.
Speaking on national Television station TRT, Erdogan said "I asked Obama whether he has no interest in the American casualty because he is also Turkish – and he didn’t reply."
The Turkish prime minister reiterated Ankara's intention to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, after Jerusalem refused to issue an apology and pay compensation to the families of the victims.
"We'll take this to The Hague, and the world will witness once more who are the ones standing beside the victims," he said, while criticizing elements in Turkey's opposition groups, whom he called "Israel's advocates."
Despite his harsh statement, Erdogan did not reiterate the controversial comments he made during an al-Jazeera interview on Thursday, by which Turkish warships will be dispatched to escort future humanitarian naval convoys to Gaza.
Erdogan's bureau issued a clarification on Friday, stating that the comments were taken out of context and that the prime minister was misquoted.
9 sept 2011
Analysis: Turkey to complicate life for Israel, but avoid war
Experts claim Turkey's threat to send warships to protect next flotilla to Gaza unlikely to trigger conflict with Israel.
Turkey's threat to send warships to protect aid convoys to Gaza is unlikely to trigger conflict with Israel, but the dramatic deterioration in relations between the one-time allies could jeopardize Israeli energy ambitions.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the stakes with Israel on Thursday, saying he would dispatch the navy to escort any future flotillas to Gaza and prevent a repeat of an Israeli raid last year that killed nine Turks.
Ankara has already downgraded diplomatic relations with Israel and halted defense trade following the Jewish state's confirmation last week that it would not apologize for the 2010 raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla.
Despite the intensifying rhetoric, it seems hard to believe that the region's two biggest military powers, both important allies of the United States, would face off over the Palestinian enclave Gaza, which is ruled by the Islamist group Hamas.
"It won't turn into a military confrontation, because the Turks aren't stupid. It's absurd to think a NATO country would get into a military confrontation with Israel," said Gad Shimron, a retired Mossad officer and defense expert.
By the same token, it seems unlikely that Erdogan will let the matter drop, with many analysts seeing his repeated criticism of Israel as a calculated bid to boost his standing in the Arab world and assume a dominant role in the Middle East.
Tellingly, he made his comments to Al Jazeera, the pan-Arabic television station, upping the ante just days before he is due to visit a trio of Arab countries, including Egypt, which has itself fallen out with Israel in recent weeks.
"Erdogan thinks the easy target is Israel, but he doesn't know if it will pay off. He is taking a gamble," said Yossi Shain, a professor at both Tel Aviv University and Georgetown University in Washington.
"He wants to be the champion of the Arab and Islamic world, but it is not clear whether he can."
Disputed gas fields
Turkey's threat to send warships to protect aid convoys to Gaza is unlikely to trigger conflict with Israel, but the dramatic deterioration in relations between the one-time allies could jeopardize Israeli energy ambitions.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the stakes with Israel on Thursday, saying he would dispatch the navy to escort any future flotillas to Gaza and prevent a repeat of an Israeli raid last year that killed nine Turks.
Ankara has already downgraded diplomatic relations with Israel and halted defense trade following the Jewish state's confirmation last week that it would not apologize for the 2010 raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla.
Despite the intensifying rhetoric, it seems hard to believe that the region's two biggest military powers, both important allies of the United States, would face off over the Palestinian enclave Gaza, which is ruled by the Islamist group Hamas.
"It won't turn into a military confrontation, because the Turks aren't stupid. It's absurd to think a NATO country would get into a military confrontation with Israel," said Gad Shimron, a retired Mossad officer and defense expert.
By the same token, it seems unlikely that Erdogan will let the matter drop, with many analysts seeing his repeated criticism of Israel as a calculated bid to boost his standing in the Arab world and assume a dominant role in the Middle East.
Tellingly, he made his comments to Al Jazeera, the pan-Arabic television station, upping the ante just days before he is due to visit a trio of Arab countries, including Egypt, which has itself fallen out with Israel in recent weeks.
"Erdogan thinks the easy target is Israel, but he doesn't know if it will pay off. He is taking a gamble," said Yossi Shain, a professor at both Tel Aviv University and Georgetown University in Washington.
"He wants to be the champion of the Arab and Islamic world, but it is not clear whether he can."
Disputed gas fields
|
IHH press conference
Turkey has a much larger navy than Israel but would have to think twice about any military brinkmanship given the imposing strength of the Israeli air force. |
"Keep in mind that were Israel to initiate an interception, say against a Turkish bid to sail on Gaza, it would have the advantage of choosing the time, place and deployment strength," a former Israeli admiral told Reuters, declining to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject.
Indicating there is no imminent danger of a clash, Turkish group IHH, which organized last year's convoy to the Gaza Strip said on Friday it had no plans for now for another flotilla
Regardless of that, Turkey has also said it will make its presence felt in the eastern Mediterranean at a time when Israel is looking to exploit recently discovered gas fields off its coasts and hook up with Cyprus to build energy facilities.
Turkey does not recognize Cyprus's Greek Cypriot government, while Lebanon has accused Israel of breaking international law by exploring for gas without an agreement between the two countries – which are formally at war – on their maritime border. Israel denies this.
A heavy Turkish naval presence near the disputed fields could undoubtedly cause Israel headaches, just as it thought that it had finally overcome its longstanding energy shortages.
"This is a feasible and significantly troubling prospect. I imagine it would compromise foreign investment in those fields," the former admiral said.
Israel has sought to play down the diplomatic crisis, with officials pointing out that the two countries had already overcome previous rows, such as in 1980 when Turkey curbed ties to protest at Israel's annexation of Arab east Jerusalem.
But back then, Turkey was a much poorer nation than it is today, and there were very few cultural, sporting or business links between the two countries.
The implications of a falling-out today are much more significant, with trade between Turkey and Israel worth $3.5 billion last year, helping keep thousands of people in work.
"Turkey is a very strong country today and this is very serious situation," said Alon Liel, the head of the Israeli diplomatic mission in Turkey from 1981 to 1983 and a former director general of the Foreign Ministry.
Losing friends
Although Turkey is an undoubted regional power, it has suffered a difficult few months due to the Arab uprisings.
It has had to retool its foreign policy in Syria and Libya, losing old allies in the process, and has distanced itself with Iran. Erdogan is clearly trying to regain the initiative and will have to be careful not to push things too far.
"He has painted Turkey into a very tight corner," said Gareth Jenkins, an Istanbul-based security analyst.
"Turkey is squandering the moral capital it had gained after the (2010 flotilla) incident, in which international public opinion sided with Turkey. But the international community will be very hostile."
Washington has stayed largely quiet over the past week, urging reconciliation between the two parties without publicly taking sides. However, much more Turkish saber-rattling is sure to fire up passions, with the US Congress fiercely pro-Israel.
"(Erdogan) is about to get a tough response from Washington. They are watching him and letting him play, but the moment is coming," said Shain, who is working in the United States.
Erdogan may well be calculating that Washington cannot afford to imperil relations with Turkey at such crucial moment for the Middle East, but as with his fight with Israel, that is a risky bet to take.
Indicating there is no imminent danger of a clash, Turkish group IHH, which organized last year's convoy to the Gaza Strip said on Friday it had no plans for now for another flotilla
Regardless of that, Turkey has also said it will make its presence felt in the eastern Mediterranean at a time when Israel is looking to exploit recently discovered gas fields off its coasts and hook up with Cyprus to build energy facilities.
Turkey does not recognize Cyprus's Greek Cypriot government, while Lebanon has accused Israel of breaking international law by exploring for gas without an agreement between the two countries – which are formally at war – on their maritime border. Israel denies this.
A heavy Turkish naval presence near the disputed fields could undoubtedly cause Israel headaches, just as it thought that it had finally overcome its longstanding energy shortages.
"This is a feasible and significantly troubling prospect. I imagine it would compromise foreign investment in those fields," the former admiral said.
Israel has sought to play down the diplomatic crisis, with officials pointing out that the two countries had already overcome previous rows, such as in 1980 when Turkey curbed ties to protest at Israel's annexation of Arab east Jerusalem.
But back then, Turkey was a much poorer nation than it is today, and there were very few cultural, sporting or business links between the two countries.
The implications of a falling-out today are much more significant, with trade between Turkey and Israel worth $3.5 billion last year, helping keep thousands of people in work.
"Turkey is a very strong country today and this is very serious situation," said Alon Liel, the head of the Israeli diplomatic mission in Turkey from 1981 to 1983 and a former director general of the Foreign Ministry.
Losing friends
Although Turkey is an undoubted regional power, it has suffered a difficult few months due to the Arab uprisings.
It has had to retool its foreign policy in Syria and Libya, losing old allies in the process, and has distanced itself with Iran. Erdogan is clearly trying to regain the initiative and will have to be careful not to push things too far.
"He has painted Turkey into a very tight corner," said Gareth Jenkins, an Istanbul-based security analyst.
"Turkey is squandering the moral capital it had gained after the (2010 flotilla) incident, in which international public opinion sided with Turkey. But the international community will be very hostile."
Washington has stayed largely quiet over the past week, urging reconciliation between the two parties without publicly taking sides. However, much more Turkish saber-rattling is sure to fire up passions, with the US Congress fiercely pro-Israel.
"(Erdogan) is about to get a tough response from Washington. They are watching him and letting him play, but the moment is coming," said Shain, who is working in the United States.
Erdogan may well be calculating that Washington cannot afford to imperil relations with Turkey at such crucial moment for the Middle East, but as with his fight with Israel, that is a risky bet to take.
Report: Turkey obtains names of flotilla raid soldiers
IHH lawyer claims it handed Ankara prosecutor names of over 10 IDF soldiers involved in Marmara takeover; prosecutor also approaches intelligence services for soldiers' identities. Among possible suspects: Peres, Netanyahu and Ashkenazi.
Amid rising tensions between Israel and Turkey over the Palmer Report, Istanbul's chief prosecutor approached the Turkish intelligence services in a request to reveal the identities of the Israeli soldiers involved in the May 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara ship, in which nine Turkish civilians were killed.
The request came after the prosecutor approached Israeli authorities for the information last May, but did not receive a reply.
Meanwhile, a lawyer affiliated with IHH– the Turkish group that organized the flotilla – claimed the organization handed the prosecutor a list with over ten names of IDF soldiers that were onboard the vessel, Turkish newspaper al-Zaman reported on Friday.
"We have handed the list to Istanbul's prosecutor and are now waiting for arrest warrants," said Attorney Ramzan Turk, adding that the list is based on information received by other IDF soldiers who "regretted the incident and gave me the names of the soldiers."
Ramzan noted that the soldiers who provided the names did not take part in the raid.
In addition Zaman's claims, the prosecutor reportedly also approached the intelligence services for a list of names, a move which would enable to start proceedings against a long list of Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, former IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Navy Commander Adm. Eliezer Marom and other officials involved in the flotilla raid.
The soldiers that participated in the takeover may face charges of premeditated murder and torture, as well as restricting the passengers' freedom of movement, the report said.
Meanwhile, Ankara diplomats on Friday stressed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's north African tour will not include a visit to the Gaza Strip.
"Turkey doesn’t want to enrage the Egyptian authorities," an Ankara official explained the move.
Amid rising tensions between Israel and Turkey over the Palmer Report, Istanbul's chief prosecutor approached the Turkish intelligence services in a request to reveal the identities of the Israeli soldiers involved in the May 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara ship, in which nine Turkish civilians were killed.
The request came after the prosecutor approached Israeli authorities for the information last May, but did not receive a reply.
Meanwhile, a lawyer affiliated with IHH– the Turkish group that organized the flotilla – claimed the organization handed the prosecutor a list with over ten names of IDF soldiers that were onboard the vessel, Turkish newspaper al-Zaman reported on Friday.
"We have handed the list to Istanbul's prosecutor and are now waiting for arrest warrants," said Attorney Ramzan Turk, adding that the list is based on information received by other IDF soldiers who "regretted the incident and gave me the names of the soldiers."
Ramzan noted that the soldiers who provided the names did not take part in the raid.
In addition Zaman's claims, the prosecutor reportedly also approached the intelligence services for a list of names, a move which would enable to start proceedings against a long list of Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, former IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Navy Commander Adm. Eliezer Marom and other officials involved in the flotilla raid.
The soldiers that participated in the takeover may face charges of premeditated murder and torture, as well as restricting the passengers' freedom of movement, the report said.
Meanwhile, Ankara diplomats on Friday stressed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's north African tour will not include a visit to the Gaza Strip.
"Turkey doesn’t want to enrage the Egyptian authorities," an Ankara official explained the move.
8 sept 2011
Erdogan warns: Turkey warships will escort any future Gaza aid flotilla
Turkish PM also says that his country had taken steps to stop Israel from unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkish warships will escort any Turkish aid vessels to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks broadcast on Al Jazeera television on Thursday.
Erdogan also said that Turkey had taken steps to stop Israel from unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean, according to Al Jazeera's Arabic translation of excerpts of the interview, which was conducted in Turkish.
Last Saturday, Turkish officials told Hurriyet Daily News that the Turkish navy will significantly strengthen its presence in the easter Mediterranean Sea, as one of the steps the Turkish government has decided to take following the release of the UN Palmer report on the 2010 Gaza flotilla.
"The eastern Mediterranean will no longer be a place where Israeli naval forces can freely exercise their bullying practices against civilian vessels," a Turkish official was quoted as saying.
As part of the plan, the Turkish navy will increase its patrols in the eastern Mediterranean and pursue "a more aggressive strategy".
Erdogan: We will not let Israel disrespect Turkey, no matter the price
Comments come on the heels of Turkey's expulsion of top Israeli diplomats, suspension of all military deals.
Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel on Wednesday of failing to meet its obligations in defense deals, adding to tensions with Israel which have escalated since an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla killed nine people last year.
Turkey expelled top Israeli diplomats last week, suspended all military deals and vowed to step up Turkish navy patrols in the eastern Mediterranean, angered over its former ally's refusal to apologize for the raid that killed eight Turks and one Turkish-American.
Turkey also promised to lobby for support for the Palestinians' bid for state recognition at the United Nations and warned that more sanctions against Israel could follow.
Asked to comment on Turkey's decision to suspend defense industry deals, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters Israel wasn't keeping to the terms of defense agreements, accusing it of not returning drones that Turkey had bought from Israel and sent back for maintenance.
"They are not loyal to agreements between us in the defense industry," Erdogan said.
"There might be problems, you may not be speaking to each other, but you have to fulfill your responsibility under international agreements."
Turkey has purchased 10 Heron drones from Israel, following the lease of a number of unmanned spy planes from the country. It was not clear how many of the drones are in Israel for maintenance.
Turkey uses the drones to spy on Kurdish rebels, who maintain bases in northern Iraq, and have escalated their attacks on Turkish troops and police officers lately.
Turkey's sanctions against Israel, once a top military trading partner, follows a U.N. report into the flotilla raid, which accuses Israel of using excessive force, but also describes Israel's blockade of Gaza as legitimate.
Turkey has rejected the report, while Israel accepted it with some reservations.
Israel has expressed regret for the loss of lives aboard the flotilla but has refused to apologize saying its forces acted in self-defense. It has also said it was time for the two countries to restore their former close ties.
But Erdogan said Wednesday Turkey was determined to keep up its stance toward Israel at any cost.
"We don't care if it costs $15 million or $150 million," Erdogan said. "We will not allow anyone to walk all over our honor."
Erdogan reiterated that Turkey was planning possible new sanctions against Israel, but refused to disclose what they could entail. He said Turkey intended to increase the Turkish navy's surveillance of the eastern Mediterranean, adding that parts of it were Turkey's "exclusive economic zones."
"Until now, they were running wild in (the eastern Mediterranean). From now on, we will see Turkish ships more often especially in our exclusive economic zones," Erdogan said.
All the pros and cons of this have been calculated. We were present in these waters in the past, we are present today and we will continue to be present tomorrow."
Turkey's main opposition has criticized Turkey's plans to increase navy patrols in the eastern Mediterranean, saying it could lead to a confrontation between Turkey and Israel.
Turkish warships will escort any Turkish aid vessels to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks broadcast on Al Jazeera television on Thursday.
Erdogan also said that Turkey had taken steps to stop Israel from unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean, according to Al Jazeera's Arabic translation of excerpts of the interview, which was conducted in Turkish.
Last Saturday, Turkish officials told Hurriyet Daily News that the Turkish navy will significantly strengthen its presence in the easter Mediterranean Sea, as one of the steps the Turkish government has decided to take following the release of the UN Palmer report on the 2010 Gaza flotilla.
"The eastern Mediterranean will no longer be a place where Israeli naval forces can freely exercise their bullying practices against civilian vessels," a Turkish official was quoted as saying.
As part of the plan, the Turkish navy will increase its patrols in the eastern Mediterranean and pursue "a more aggressive strategy".
Erdogan: We will not let Israel disrespect Turkey, no matter the price
Comments come on the heels of Turkey's expulsion of top Israeli diplomats, suspension of all military deals.
Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel on Wednesday of failing to meet its obligations in defense deals, adding to tensions with Israel which have escalated since an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla killed nine people last year.
Turkey expelled top Israeli diplomats last week, suspended all military deals and vowed to step up Turkish navy patrols in the eastern Mediterranean, angered over its former ally's refusal to apologize for the raid that killed eight Turks and one Turkish-American.
Turkey also promised to lobby for support for the Palestinians' bid for state recognition at the United Nations and warned that more sanctions against Israel could follow.
Asked to comment on Turkey's decision to suspend defense industry deals, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters Israel wasn't keeping to the terms of defense agreements, accusing it of not returning drones that Turkey had bought from Israel and sent back for maintenance.
"They are not loyal to agreements between us in the defense industry," Erdogan said.
"There might be problems, you may not be speaking to each other, but you have to fulfill your responsibility under international agreements."
Turkey has purchased 10 Heron drones from Israel, following the lease of a number of unmanned spy planes from the country. It was not clear how many of the drones are in Israel for maintenance.
Turkey uses the drones to spy on Kurdish rebels, who maintain bases in northern Iraq, and have escalated their attacks on Turkish troops and police officers lately.
Turkey's sanctions against Israel, once a top military trading partner, follows a U.N. report into the flotilla raid, which accuses Israel of using excessive force, but also describes Israel's blockade of Gaza as legitimate.
Turkey has rejected the report, while Israel accepted it with some reservations.
Israel has expressed regret for the loss of lives aboard the flotilla but has refused to apologize saying its forces acted in self-defense. It has also said it was time for the two countries to restore their former close ties.
But Erdogan said Wednesday Turkey was determined to keep up its stance toward Israel at any cost.
"We don't care if it costs $15 million or $150 million," Erdogan said. "We will not allow anyone to walk all over our honor."
Erdogan reiterated that Turkey was planning possible new sanctions against Israel, but refused to disclose what they could entail. He said Turkey intended to increase the Turkish navy's surveillance of the eastern Mediterranean, adding that parts of it were Turkey's "exclusive economic zones."
"Until now, they were running wild in (the eastern Mediterranean). From now on, we will see Turkish ships more often especially in our exclusive economic zones," Erdogan said.
All the pros and cons of this have been calculated. We were present in these waters in the past, we are present today and we will continue to be present tomorrow."
Turkey's main opposition has criticized Turkey's plans to increase navy patrols in the eastern Mediterranean, saying it could lead to a confrontation between Turkey and Israel.
7 sept 2011
Minister: Israel will not apologize to Turkey
Israel will not apologize to Turkey for a deadly May 2010 raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla and will not lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip, an Israeli minister insisted on Wednesday, as ties with Ankara sank to new lows.
"Israel defends its interests and its government will not apologize," said Israel Katz, Israel's transport minister and a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.
Katz, who spoke on Israeli public radio, made the comments a day after Ankara reiterated it was suspending military deals with Tel Aviv and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated that he would seek to visit the Gaza Strip.
Ties between Turkey and Israel, once close allies, have been in crisis in recent days over Israel's 2010 raid on Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which left nine Turkish citizens dead.
Relations had already frayed over the incident but tensions reached new highs last week after the UN published a report on the raid, accusing Israel of using excessive force during the operation, but endorsing the country's naval blockade on Gaza.
Turkey responded angrily to the report, announcing the expulsion of Israel's ambassador and suspending military agreements with Tel Aviv.
The report's publication had been delayed several times while the two countries tried to patch up relations. Ankara had called on Israel to offer an apology for the raid, compensation and to lift the blockade on Gaza, terms all rejected by the Israeli government.
On Wednesday, Katz reiterated that the Gaza blockade would not be lifted.
"Israel maintains its naval blockade of Gaza to stop the transfer of weapons to terrorists from Hamas," he said, referring to the Islamist movement that rules the coastal territory.
Israel has accepted the UN report, with some reservations, but Turkey dismissed its findings and has threatened to lodge a legal case against Israel before the International Criminal Court.
"Israel defends its interests and its government will not apologize," said Israel Katz, Israel's transport minister and a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.
Katz, who spoke on Israeli public radio, made the comments a day after Ankara reiterated it was suspending military deals with Tel Aviv and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated that he would seek to visit the Gaza Strip.
Ties between Turkey and Israel, once close allies, have been in crisis in recent days over Israel's 2010 raid on Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which left nine Turkish citizens dead.
Relations had already frayed over the incident but tensions reached new highs last week after the UN published a report on the raid, accusing Israel of using excessive force during the operation, but endorsing the country's naval blockade on Gaza.
Turkey responded angrily to the report, announcing the expulsion of Israel's ambassador and suspending military agreements with Tel Aviv.
The report's publication had been delayed several times while the two countries tried to patch up relations. Ankara had called on Israel to offer an apology for the raid, compensation and to lift the blockade on Gaza, terms all rejected by the Israeli government.
On Wednesday, Katz reiterated that the Gaza blockade would not be lifted.
"Israel maintains its naval blockade of Gaza to stop the transfer of weapons to terrorists from Hamas," he said, referring to the Islamist movement that rules the coastal territory.
Israel has accepted the UN report, with some reservations, but Turkey dismissed its findings and has threatened to lodge a legal case against Israel before the International Criminal Court.
6 sept 2011
Erdogan labels Israel a supporter of "State Terror" over flotilla findings
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, accused Israel of behaving like a “spoiled child” as he declared a freeze on military trade between the two countries in response to Israel’s refusal to apologise for a 2010 raid on a ship carrying activists trying to reach the Gaza Strip.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated in recent days following the publication of a UN report which both said Israel had the right to control access to waters off Gaza and accused it of using excessive force in the 2010 raid.
The ship, the Mavi Marmara, was part of a flotilla of activist vessels trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Eight Turkish citizens and one US-Turkish dual national died on the ship.
Labelling Israel a “spoiled child” and a supporter of “state terror”, Mr Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey was suspending all trade “relations related with defence” with the country because of its refusal to apologise.
Trade between the two countries totalled almost $3.5bn last year. One casualty may be a $141m deal to upgrade Turkish F16 fighter jets with Israeli-made electronics.
But the growing dispute between the two countries may also have regional consequences.
Mr Erdogan is planning to visit Egypt next week to sign a strategic partnership agreement – a trip that may include travelling across the border to the Gaza Strip – and his stance could put pressure on Cairo to harden its own line towards Israel.
Turkey announced last week that it was expelling senior diplomats from Israel’s embassy in Ankara, freezing defence ties and planning measures to protect shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In recent days, Israeli and Turkish passengers have complained of being harassed and humiliated at Istanbul and Tel Aviv airports respectively and on Tuesday Mr Erdogan said Turkey would take a more “visible” presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The sharp deterioration in relations has alarmed Israeli officials and the broader public alike, heightening an already mounting sense of diplomatic and regional isolation.
“We are deliberately adopting a policy of restraint,” said an Israeli official. “We want to contain the problem and solve the problem, and that won’t be done by exchanging harsh words.”
Israeli officials are worried above all else that Turkey’s confrontational posture will eventually be mirrored by Egypt and Jordan – the only Arab countries with diplomatic ties to Israel – leaving Israel without a single ally in the Muslim world.
Israeli analysts argue that Mr Erdogan’s planned visit to Egypt will be a critical test. Israel fears that the Egyptian leadership will allow the Turkish leader to cross into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, a move that would hand a crucial political victory to the Islamist group and mark a painful snub to Israel.
Mr Erdogan said on Tuesday he would only make a final decision whether to visit Gaza once he was in Egypt and would do so in consultation with Cairo.
“If the Egyptians allow him to visit, it is a new era in relations between Turkey and Egypt,” said Alon Liel, a former Israeli envoy to Ankara. “We will do everything possible to prevent that but if they do allow it, it will be a dramatic shift in regional diplomacy.”
Steven Cook, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, added that Turkey’s stance would have important consequences in the US. “Israel’s supporters in Washington are going to mobilise against Turkey in a big way,” he said. But he added that Turkey had been “extraordinarily shrewd” by agreeing last week a Nato missile defence deal long sought by the US – so demonstrating its value to its Nato partners.
The current Turkish-Israeli tensions are expected to undermine all aspects of the relationship – from trade and military ties to culture and sporting events.
The most high-profile Turkish-Israeli military deal of recent years – the sale of ten Israeli-made Heron drones to the Turkish air force – will not be affected. The $150m deal was finally completed last year, when Turkey took delivery of the drones.
But the 2008 deal to supply Israeli-made electronic imaging systems to the Turkish fleet of F-16s could now be frozen. Turkey was due to take delivery of the units in the next 12-18 months. The Israeli companies involved are IAI and Elbit.
A less serious, but perhaps more visible, test of the Turkish-Israeli relationship is likely to come next week, when the football teams of Besiktas Istanbul and Maccabi Tel Aviv meet in the group stage of the Uefa Europe League. The match will take place in Istanbul, in front of one of the most passionate home crowds in Turkey.
“If I was a supporter of Maccabi, I wouldn’t go to Istanbul,” said Mr Liel. (Financial Times).
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated in recent days following the publication of a UN report which both said Israel had the right to control access to waters off Gaza and accused it of using excessive force in the 2010 raid.
The ship, the Mavi Marmara, was part of a flotilla of activist vessels trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Eight Turkish citizens and one US-Turkish dual national died on the ship.
Labelling Israel a “spoiled child” and a supporter of “state terror”, Mr Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey was suspending all trade “relations related with defence” with the country because of its refusal to apologise.
Trade between the two countries totalled almost $3.5bn last year. One casualty may be a $141m deal to upgrade Turkish F16 fighter jets with Israeli-made electronics.
But the growing dispute between the two countries may also have regional consequences.
Mr Erdogan is planning to visit Egypt next week to sign a strategic partnership agreement – a trip that may include travelling across the border to the Gaza Strip – and his stance could put pressure on Cairo to harden its own line towards Israel.
Turkey announced last week that it was expelling senior diplomats from Israel’s embassy in Ankara, freezing defence ties and planning measures to protect shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In recent days, Israeli and Turkish passengers have complained of being harassed and humiliated at Istanbul and Tel Aviv airports respectively and on Tuesday Mr Erdogan said Turkey would take a more “visible” presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The sharp deterioration in relations has alarmed Israeli officials and the broader public alike, heightening an already mounting sense of diplomatic and regional isolation.
“We are deliberately adopting a policy of restraint,” said an Israeli official. “We want to contain the problem and solve the problem, and that won’t be done by exchanging harsh words.”
Israeli officials are worried above all else that Turkey’s confrontational posture will eventually be mirrored by Egypt and Jordan – the only Arab countries with diplomatic ties to Israel – leaving Israel without a single ally in the Muslim world.
Israeli analysts argue that Mr Erdogan’s planned visit to Egypt will be a critical test. Israel fears that the Egyptian leadership will allow the Turkish leader to cross into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, a move that would hand a crucial political victory to the Islamist group and mark a painful snub to Israel.
Mr Erdogan said on Tuesday he would only make a final decision whether to visit Gaza once he was in Egypt and would do so in consultation with Cairo.
“If the Egyptians allow him to visit, it is a new era in relations between Turkey and Egypt,” said Alon Liel, a former Israeli envoy to Ankara. “We will do everything possible to prevent that but if they do allow it, it will be a dramatic shift in regional diplomacy.”
Steven Cook, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, added that Turkey’s stance would have important consequences in the US. “Israel’s supporters in Washington are going to mobilise against Turkey in a big way,” he said. But he added that Turkey had been “extraordinarily shrewd” by agreeing last week a Nato missile defence deal long sought by the US – so demonstrating its value to its Nato partners.
The current Turkish-Israeli tensions are expected to undermine all aspects of the relationship – from trade and military ties to culture and sporting events.
The most high-profile Turkish-Israeli military deal of recent years – the sale of ten Israeli-made Heron drones to the Turkish air force – will not be affected. The $150m deal was finally completed last year, when Turkey took delivery of the drones.
But the 2008 deal to supply Israeli-made electronic imaging systems to the Turkish fleet of F-16s could now be frozen. Turkey was due to take delivery of the units in the next 12-18 months. The Israeli companies involved are IAI and Elbit.
A less serious, but perhaps more visible, test of the Turkish-Israeli relationship is likely to come next week, when the football teams of Besiktas Istanbul and Maccabi Tel Aviv meet in the group stage of the Uefa Europe League. The match will take place in Istanbul, in front of one of the most passionate home crowds in Turkey.
“If I was a supporter of Maccabi, I wouldn’t go to Istanbul,” said Mr Liel. (Financial Times).
Justice ministry: Palmer report politicized and not professional
The Palestinian ministry of justice said the Palmer report on Israel's deadly attack on Freedom Flotilla aid convoy and Gaza siege was politicized, non-professional and not up to the size of the crime committed by Israel.
Assistant deputy minister Osama Saad told on Monday a news conference in Gaza that the phrases used in Palmer report were significantly mild and softened towards Israel and did not reflect what happened to unarmed aid activists in international waters.
Saad stressed that the report deliberately ignored the legal facts found in international law that criminalizes attacks on civilians, legitimized the inhuman blockade imposed on Gaza and gave Israel the green light to commit more crimes.
He noted that Palmer report was contrary to the consensus formed by international institutions and parties which are well-known for their credibility and had already submitted their reports in this regard to the UN such as Goldstone report, Folk report and the Arab League report.
The Palestinian official demanded the UN general assembly to reject Palmer report, consider it non-existent and adopt the other reports that criminalized the blockade imposed on Gaza.
The official hailed the moves taken by the Turkish government against Israel, including its intention to take legal action against it.
Assistant deputy minister Osama Saad told on Monday a news conference in Gaza that the phrases used in Palmer report were significantly mild and softened towards Israel and did not reflect what happened to unarmed aid activists in international waters.
Saad stressed that the report deliberately ignored the legal facts found in international law that criminalizes attacks on civilians, legitimized the inhuman blockade imposed on Gaza and gave Israel the green light to commit more crimes.
He noted that Palmer report was contrary to the consensus formed by international institutions and parties which are well-known for their credibility and had already submitted their reports in this regard to the UN such as Goldstone report, Folk report and the Arab League report.
The Palestinian official demanded the UN general assembly to reject Palmer report, consider it non-existent and adopt the other reports that criminalized the blockade imposed on Gaza.
The official hailed the moves taken by the Turkish government against Israel, including its intention to take legal action against it.
5 sept 2011
Lawyers for Freedom Flotilla victims reject Palmer report
Lawyers for the victims of Freedom Flotilla massacre strongly denounced the UN report (Palmer report) about Israel's deadly attack on an aid convoy of six ships on May 31, 2010 in international waters of the mediterranean sea.
The lawyers expressed their condemnation in response to leaked documents from a report submitted to the UN by its probe committee led by former New Zealand premier Geoffrey Palmer.
Lawyer Ramadan Nyaba said what was leaked from Palmer report was very reprehensible especially since it coincided with the world day of peace which fell on the first of September.
Nyaba affirmed, on behalf of other lawyers, that they would take all legal measures against Israel, especially with the international criminal court in the Hague, noting they have documents supported by confessions made by Israeli soldiers who carried out the attack.
Nyaba added that the lawyers filed a complaint on behalf of the victims with the court in the Hague and accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity.
In this regard, deputy head of freedom and justice party in Egypt Isam Al-Aryan criticized Palmer report for legalizing Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and giving it the right to starve one and a half million people.
Aryan hailed Turkey for rejecting this report and the steps it has taken against it and urged the Arab and Islamic governments to support the Turkish position and the moves it intends to take with the international court of justice against Israel and Palmer report.
For his part, Sheikh Hafez Salama, a senior commander from the Egyptian popular resistance during Suez war in 1973, demanded the military council in Egypt to take a position similar to the one taken by Turkey and expel the Israeli ambassador.
"The Turkish government expelled the Zionist ambassador from its territory and severed its ties with the occupation entity for not apologizing for shedding the blood of its Turkish sons during the attack on the Ship Marmara of the Freedom Flotilla, so we must act exactly as Turkey did," Sheikh Salama stated in a press release.
Many Egyptian political and national figures have demanded lately their government and the military council to expel the Israeli ambassador from Cairo in response to his state's latest crime which claimed the lives of Egyptian soldiers and injured many others.
Bahar: Taking Israel to the ICJ best response to Palmer report
Deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Bahar welcomed Turkey’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, saying it was the best response to the Palmer report which was biased to Israel.
In a statement on Saturday evening, Bahar called on the ICJ to stand for “justice and equity”, adding that the court faces “a real test” in the light of the Palmer report, which he said was politically motivated.
Bahar also called on the Arabs and Muslims to take a stance in support of Turkey’s decision and one which defends the Palestinians in international forums amid “Zionist aggression”.
He lauded Turkey for defending the Palestinians’ rights and major causes which he said Israel wants to extinguish as the world community remains silent over Israel’s racist practices against the Palestinians.
He also called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and other Arab and Muslim groups in international organizations and UN bodies to unify positions on the same pattern as Turkey in a way that would ensure an end to the siege on Gaza.
Turkey has decided to challenge Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip with the ICJ after a UN investigation panel into a Gaza aid flotilla attack ruled the siege as legal. The report likewise legitimized Israel’s lethal interception of the flotilla but said that Israel used excessive force in doing so.
OIC and Arab League criticize the Palmer report
The UN-commissioned Palmer report into Israel’s 2010 attack that killed nine activists on board a Gaza aid flotilla has drawn heavy criticism from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and human rights organizations.
The report, which was disseminated by media on Thursday, concluded that the Israeli navy used excessive force while seizing the flotilla en route to the Gaza Strip. However, it deemed Israel’s maritime blockade of the Strip as legal.
In a statement on Sunday, OIC secretary-general, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the report by the investigating committee, headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, “failed to reflect an objective and unbiased position,” as it deemed Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip as legal.
“The OIC cannot accept any report that would whitewash Israel’s attack on the humanitarian flotilla and condone Israel’s illegal blockade against the Palestinian civilians,” he said.
In a separate statement, the Arab League’s deputy secretary general in charge of the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories Mohammed Sabih said the report could be taken by Israel as a pretext to continue its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
He said that the report harms the reputation of the United Nations, adding that it is against the international law to impose a siege on a country because of political reasons, and that the siege is banned under collective punishment laws covered by the Geneva Conventions.
The Palestinian Human Rights Center also condemned the UN report, accusing the committee that UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon appointed to hold investigations that led to it was in fact a distinctly political panel of investigators, what led to purely political results.
The PHRC ruled out that legal opinions according to international law could conclude that Israel’s siege on Gaza would be legal.
The PHRC also accused the panel of not being professional, also saying that it opposed the legal views of various experts of international law and UN human rights bodies, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, all of which consider the siege illegal.
The lawyers expressed their condemnation in response to leaked documents from a report submitted to the UN by its probe committee led by former New Zealand premier Geoffrey Palmer.
Lawyer Ramadan Nyaba said what was leaked from Palmer report was very reprehensible especially since it coincided with the world day of peace which fell on the first of September.
Nyaba affirmed, on behalf of other lawyers, that they would take all legal measures against Israel, especially with the international criminal court in the Hague, noting they have documents supported by confessions made by Israeli soldiers who carried out the attack.
Nyaba added that the lawyers filed a complaint on behalf of the victims with the court in the Hague and accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity.
In this regard, deputy head of freedom and justice party in Egypt Isam Al-Aryan criticized Palmer report for legalizing Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and giving it the right to starve one and a half million people.
Aryan hailed Turkey for rejecting this report and the steps it has taken against it and urged the Arab and Islamic governments to support the Turkish position and the moves it intends to take with the international court of justice against Israel and Palmer report.
For his part, Sheikh Hafez Salama, a senior commander from the Egyptian popular resistance during Suez war in 1973, demanded the military council in Egypt to take a position similar to the one taken by Turkey and expel the Israeli ambassador.
"The Turkish government expelled the Zionist ambassador from its territory and severed its ties with the occupation entity for not apologizing for shedding the blood of its Turkish sons during the attack on the Ship Marmara of the Freedom Flotilla, so we must act exactly as Turkey did," Sheikh Salama stated in a press release.
Many Egyptian political and national figures have demanded lately their government and the military council to expel the Israeli ambassador from Cairo in response to his state's latest crime which claimed the lives of Egyptian soldiers and injured many others.
Bahar: Taking Israel to the ICJ best response to Palmer report
Deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Bahar welcomed Turkey’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, saying it was the best response to the Palmer report which was biased to Israel.
In a statement on Saturday evening, Bahar called on the ICJ to stand for “justice and equity”, adding that the court faces “a real test” in the light of the Palmer report, which he said was politically motivated.
Bahar also called on the Arabs and Muslims to take a stance in support of Turkey’s decision and one which defends the Palestinians in international forums amid “Zionist aggression”.
He lauded Turkey for defending the Palestinians’ rights and major causes which he said Israel wants to extinguish as the world community remains silent over Israel’s racist practices against the Palestinians.
He also called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and other Arab and Muslim groups in international organizations and UN bodies to unify positions on the same pattern as Turkey in a way that would ensure an end to the siege on Gaza.
Turkey has decided to challenge Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip with the ICJ after a UN investigation panel into a Gaza aid flotilla attack ruled the siege as legal. The report likewise legitimized Israel’s lethal interception of the flotilla but said that Israel used excessive force in doing so.
OIC and Arab League criticize the Palmer report
The UN-commissioned Palmer report into Israel’s 2010 attack that killed nine activists on board a Gaza aid flotilla has drawn heavy criticism from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and human rights organizations.
The report, which was disseminated by media on Thursday, concluded that the Israeli navy used excessive force while seizing the flotilla en route to the Gaza Strip. However, it deemed Israel’s maritime blockade of the Strip as legal.
In a statement on Sunday, OIC secretary-general, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the report by the investigating committee, headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, “failed to reflect an objective and unbiased position,” as it deemed Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip as legal.
“The OIC cannot accept any report that would whitewash Israel’s attack on the humanitarian flotilla and condone Israel’s illegal blockade against the Palestinian civilians,” he said.
In a separate statement, the Arab League’s deputy secretary general in charge of the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories Mohammed Sabih said the report could be taken by Israel as a pretext to continue its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
He said that the report harms the reputation of the United Nations, adding that it is against the international law to impose a siege on a country because of political reasons, and that the siege is banned under collective punishment laws covered by the Geneva Conventions.
The Palestinian Human Rights Center also condemned the UN report, accusing the committee that UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon appointed to hold investigations that led to it was in fact a distinctly political panel of investigators, what led to purely political results.
The PHRC ruled out that legal opinions according to international law could conclude that Israel’s siege on Gaza would be legal.
The PHRC also accused the panel of not being professional, also saying that it opposed the legal views of various experts of international law and UN human rights bodies, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, all of which consider the siege illegal.
Give the Palmer report the contempt it deserves
By Khalid Amayreh in Israeli-occupied Jerusalem
On Friday, 2 September, a pro-Israeli body at the United Nations released a brazenly unbalanced report concluding that Israel's four-year blockade of some 1.7 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip was "legal" and "within the barometers of international law."
The scandalous report, dubbed as the Palmer report, also concluded that the manifestly criminal Israeli assault on a Turkish ship carrying solidarity activists and humanitarian materials to besieged Gazans, which occurred 18 months ago and killed at least nine Turkish citizens and injured many others, was also legal.
The report was reportedly prepared by a group of fanatical Zionists who thought that Israel could do nothing wrong and that its victims, whether Turks or Arabs, were either terrorists or sub-humans whose lives had no sanctity whatsoever.
The obscene disregard of truth inherent in that infamous and biased document showed that professionalism and objectivity were the last things on the minds of that commission's members.
Indeed, the victims of the Gaza siege, which ironically is yet to be lifted, have every right under the sun to cry out to the seventh heaven, in anger and bitterness, wondering what right the Nazi-like entity, Israel, ever had to withhold medicine and food supplies, fuel and other basic necessities from the people of Gaza.
To justify its murderous and enduring blockade, which killed ( and continues to kill) thousands of innocent people, including children, and devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands others, Israel invoked the mantra of arms smuggling into Gaza .
However, the truth of the matter is that under the rubric of preventing the alleged smuggling of weapons into the coastal enclave, Israel repeatedly demonstrated that it was hell-bent on starving ordinary Gazans by denying them badly-needed medicine and by ruining their originally meager economy, causing real starvation with catastrophic proportions.
In fact, some Zionist officials boasted rather gleefully and sadistically about Israel's ability to make the people of Gaza go on a diet. Unfortunately, the sickening remarks were not prominently featured in the Jewish-controlled American and western press whose coverage of Israeli criminality fell markedly short of basic professional standards.
In the final analysis, when people, including Jews, think, behave and act like the Nazis, these people ought to be compared with the Nazis, let alone treated as the Nazis were treated.
Failing to hold these comparisons due to "special sensitivities" such as the fear of being branded "anti-Semitic" is both a betrayal of human conscience and professional standards.
Gaza is not a state, it is rather an impoverished and heavily-populated coastal enclave packed with refugees who had been forced to flee their native towns and villages at the hands of terrorist Jewish gangs coming from Eastern Europe .
Israel claimed ad nauseam it left Gaza for good. However, the truth of the matter is that the Nazi-apartheid regime retained its erstwhile tight control of Gaza's territorial water, border crossings as well as air space.
And when the Islamic liberation movement, known as Hamas, won meticulously internationally observed elections, Israel lost its composure and decided to impose draconian sanctions encompassing everything entering Gaza or coming out of the blockaded territory.
The criminal siege, which many courageous international observers compared with the Nazi siege of the Ghetto Warsaw during the Second World War, was always made to produce maximum suffering and pain thanks to a never-ending series of criminal aggressions that mainly targeted innocent civilians.
Israeli leaders, most of them are actually certified war criminals, were quoted on several occasions as saying that the targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupation army was meant to force the civilians to rise up against their elected government.
There is no doubt that the deliberate and planned targeting of innocent children by Israel is a criminal act. Even Israeli human rights organizations, such as B'tselem, admit that it is.
The fact, that the whoring press and TV networks in New York , London , or Montreal don't see it this way doesn't make the reality of Israeli criminality any less nefarious.
A genocide or an attempted genocide doesn't become less evil if and when perpetrated by Jews. This is what Israel's ignorant supporters in the West ought to realize, the sooner the better.
In light, one is prompted to treat the Palmer report with the contempt it deserves. In the final analysis, judging murder, including haphazard murder, as legal because Jews are involved is the ultimate expression of moral bankruptcy, dishonesty and maliciousness.
The same thing applies to the other conclusion about the murderous attack on Marmara, the Turkish aid ship sailing in international waters in May 2011. That ship was carrying peaceful activists who wanted to reach the shore of Gaza to deliver urgently-needed relief materials, including milk, to besieged Gazans.
Yet, instead of allowing the ship to proceed to its destination unhindered, the Gestapo-like Israeli marines ganged up on innocent and unarmed men and women, riddling them with bullets from all sides.
The Turks and other activists onboard Marmara never ever posed any real threat to the Jewish Rambos. How could they possibly do that, unless we adopt the proverbial criminal logic that it was the victims' heads and chests that hit the bullets, not the other way around, which puts the blames decidedly on the victims.!
Unfortunately, the government of Israel resorted to hasbara and lies and stone-walling to escape responsibility, claiming that its soldiers' lives were endangered, a claim that shouldn't be dignified by commenting on it.
Moreover, in an effort to come out clean of this murderous obscenity, Israel made numerous insinuations about the humanitarian organization that planned and chartered the aid voyage, calling it terrorist.
Well, the Jewish state and its numerous mouthpieces of mendacity would automatically call anyone giving the Palestinians a helping hand terrorist even if the that one were Jesus Christ or Moses, the son of Amram.
This is their way of demonizing and dehumanizing their victims, just as the Nazis did several decades ago.
It is really heartening that the Turkish government has decided to show Israel that Turkish blood is a red line and that Israel could no longer mobilize its Free Mason tools in Turkey to bully the Turkish leadership to grovel before Jewish feet. These days are over.
The reported decision to expel the Zionist ambassador from Ankara, along with the planned downgrading of security relations with the Jewish Reich in occupied Jerusalem, should only be the beginning of a new strategic approach on the part of Turkey toward Israel, an approach that must demonstrate to Jews and non-Jews alike that Muslims are human beings, too, and have dignity like everyone else.
On Friday, 2 September, a pro-Israeli body at the United Nations released a brazenly unbalanced report concluding that Israel's four-year blockade of some 1.7 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip was "legal" and "within the barometers of international law."
The scandalous report, dubbed as the Palmer report, also concluded that the manifestly criminal Israeli assault on a Turkish ship carrying solidarity activists and humanitarian materials to besieged Gazans, which occurred 18 months ago and killed at least nine Turkish citizens and injured many others, was also legal.
The report was reportedly prepared by a group of fanatical Zionists who thought that Israel could do nothing wrong and that its victims, whether Turks or Arabs, were either terrorists or sub-humans whose lives had no sanctity whatsoever.
The obscene disregard of truth inherent in that infamous and biased document showed that professionalism and objectivity were the last things on the minds of that commission's members.
Indeed, the victims of the Gaza siege, which ironically is yet to be lifted, have every right under the sun to cry out to the seventh heaven, in anger and bitterness, wondering what right the Nazi-like entity, Israel, ever had to withhold medicine and food supplies, fuel and other basic necessities from the people of Gaza.
To justify its murderous and enduring blockade, which killed ( and continues to kill) thousands of innocent people, including children, and devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands others, Israel invoked the mantra of arms smuggling into Gaza .
However, the truth of the matter is that under the rubric of preventing the alleged smuggling of weapons into the coastal enclave, Israel repeatedly demonstrated that it was hell-bent on starving ordinary Gazans by denying them badly-needed medicine and by ruining their originally meager economy, causing real starvation with catastrophic proportions.
In fact, some Zionist officials boasted rather gleefully and sadistically about Israel's ability to make the people of Gaza go on a diet. Unfortunately, the sickening remarks were not prominently featured in the Jewish-controlled American and western press whose coverage of Israeli criminality fell markedly short of basic professional standards.
In the final analysis, when people, including Jews, think, behave and act like the Nazis, these people ought to be compared with the Nazis, let alone treated as the Nazis were treated.
Failing to hold these comparisons due to "special sensitivities" such as the fear of being branded "anti-Semitic" is both a betrayal of human conscience and professional standards.
Gaza is not a state, it is rather an impoverished and heavily-populated coastal enclave packed with refugees who had been forced to flee their native towns and villages at the hands of terrorist Jewish gangs coming from Eastern Europe .
Israel claimed ad nauseam it left Gaza for good. However, the truth of the matter is that the Nazi-apartheid regime retained its erstwhile tight control of Gaza's territorial water, border crossings as well as air space.
And when the Islamic liberation movement, known as Hamas, won meticulously internationally observed elections, Israel lost its composure and decided to impose draconian sanctions encompassing everything entering Gaza or coming out of the blockaded territory.
The criminal siege, which many courageous international observers compared with the Nazi siege of the Ghetto Warsaw during the Second World War, was always made to produce maximum suffering and pain thanks to a never-ending series of criminal aggressions that mainly targeted innocent civilians.
Israeli leaders, most of them are actually certified war criminals, were quoted on several occasions as saying that the targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupation army was meant to force the civilians to rise up against their elected government.
There is no doubt that the deliberate and planned targeting of innocent children by Israel is a criminal act. Even Israeli human rights organizations, such as B'tselem, admit that it is.
The fact, that the whoring press and TV networks in New York , London , or Montreal don't see it this way doesn't make the reality of Israeli criminality any less nefarious.
A genocide or an attempted genocide doesn't become less evil if and when perpetrated by Jews. This is what Israel's ignorant supporters in the West ought to realize, the sooner the better.
In light, one is prompted to treat the Palmer report with the contempt it deserves. In the final analysis, judging murder, including haphazard murder, as legal because Jews are involved is the ultimate expression of moral bankruptcy, dishonesty and maliciousness.
The same thing applies to the other conclusion about the murderous attack on Marmara, the Turkish aid ship sailing in international waters in May 2011. That ship was carrying peaceful activists who wanted to reach the shore of Gaza to deliver urgently-needed relief materials, including milk, to besieged Gazans.
Yet, instead of allowing the ship to proceed to its destination unhindered, the Gestapo-like Israeli marines ganged up on innocent and unarmed men and women, riddling them with bullets from all sides.
The Turks and other activists onboard Marmara never ever posed any real threat to the Jewish Rambos. How could they possibly do that, unless we adopt the proverbial criminal logic that it was the victims' heads and chests that hit the bullets, not the other way around, which puts the blames decidedly on the victims.!
Unfortunately, the government of Israel resorted to hasbara and lies and stone-walling to escape responsibility, claiming that its soldiers' lives were endangered, a claim that shouldn't be dignified by commenting on it.
Moreover, in an effort to come out clean of this murderous obscenity, Israel made numerous insinuations about the humanitarian organization that planned and chartered the aid voyage, calling it terrorist.
Well, the Jewish state and its numerous mouthpieces of mendacity would automatically call anyone giving the Palestinians a helping hand terrorist even if the that one were Jesus Christ or Moses, the son of Amram.
This is their way of demonizing and dehumanizing their victims, just as the Nazis did several decades ago.
It is really heartening that the Turkish government has decided to show Israel that Turkish blood is a red line and that Israel could no longer mobilize its Free Mason tools in Turkey to bully the Turkish leadership to grovel before Jewish feet. These days are over.
The reported decision to expel the Zionist ambassador from Ankara, along with the planned downgrading of security relations with the Jewish Reich in occupied Jerusalem, should only be the beginning of a new strategic approach on the part of Turkey toward Israel, an approach that must demonstrate to Jews and non-Jews alike that Muslims are human beings, too, and have dignity like everyone else.
4 sept 2011
OIC censures UN report on flotilla attack
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the UN report on Israel's deadly attack on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Mavi Marmara, in 2010.
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in a statement on Sunday that the organization “cannot accept any report that would whitewash Israel's attack on the humanitarian flotilla and condone Israel's illegal blockade against the Palestinian civilians,” AFP reported.
“The UN Panel of Inquiry's Report failed to reflect an objective and unbiased position,” Ihsanoglu added.
A recent UN report by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer concluded that Israel's naval blockade of Gaza was a “legitimate security measure.” The report blamed Israeli troops for using excessive force after boarding the Freedom Flotilla.
The Israeli military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 2010, killing nine Turkish nationals aboard the Turkish-flagged MV Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other activists that were part of the team on the six-ship convoy.
Ihsanoglu also expressed his support for Turkey's recently declared plans to take Israel to the International Criminal Court at The Hague over the deadly incident.
The world's largest Muslim body also demanded another independent inquiry into the 2010 attack, calling on the international community to exert “as much pressure as possible” on Israel to end its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Turkey expelled Israel's ambassador and suspended all military agreements with Tel Aviv on Friday over its refusal to apologize for the deadly attack.
Radwan: Palmer report 'biased and illegitimate'
Senior Hamas leader Ismail Radwan said Sunday that a UN report on Israel's deadly raid of a Gaza-bound aid boat was illegitimate and biased to Israel.
The report, released Friday, was written by a panel headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer. It found that Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip was legal, but that Israel used "excessive and unreasonable force" when its commandos raided the ship and killed nine Turkish civilians on board.
Speaking at a march to protest the report in Gaza City, Radwan said Palmer's findings contradicted other UN reports which considered Israel's blockade a war crime.
He called on the International Courts of Justice to bring justice to Palestinians.
Turkey said Saturday that it would apply next week for an investigation by the International Court of Justice into the legality of Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Despite Palmer's findings that Israeli soldiers used excessive force during the May 2010 flotilla raid, Tel Aviv refused to apologize for the killing of nine Turks and on Friday Ankara expelled Israel's ambassador and froze military agreements with Israel.
Aside from demanding an apology, and compensation for families, Turkey also insists Israel ends the blockade of Palestinians living in Gaza.
Radwan praised Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and thanked the Turkish people for supporting Palestinians.
He also urged activists to send more aid convoys to the Gaza Strip.
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in a statement on Sunday that the organization “cannot accept any report that would whitewash Israel's attack on the humanitarian flotilla and condone Israel's illegal blockade against the Palestinian civilians,” AFP reported.
“The UN Panel of Inquiry's Report failed to reflect an objective and unbiased position,” Ihsanoglu added.
A recent UN report by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer concluded that Israel's naval blockade of Gaza was a “legitimate security measure.” The report blamed Israeli troops for using excessive force after boarding the Freedom Flotilla.
The Israeli military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 2010, killing nine Turkish nationals aboard the Turkish-flagged MV Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other activists that were part of the team on the six-ship convoy.
Ihsanoglu also expressed his support for Turkey's recently declared plans to take Israel to the International Criminal Court at The Hague over the deadly incident.
The world's largest Muslim body also demanded another independent inquiry into the 2010 attack, calling on the international community to exert “as much pressure as possible” on Israel to end its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Turkey expelled Israel's ambassador and suspended all military agreements with Tel Aviv on Friday over its refusal to apologize for the deadly attack.
Radwan: Palmer report 'biased and illegitimate'
Senior Hamas leader Ismail Radwan said Sunday that a UN report on Israel's deadly raid of a Gaza-bound aid boat was illegitimate and biased to Israel.
The report, released Friday, was written by a panel headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer. It found that Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip was legal, but that Israel used "excessive and unreasonable force" when its commandos raided the ship and killed nine Turkish civilians on board.
Speaking at a march to protest the report in Gaza City, Radwan said Palmer's findings contradicted other UN reports which considered Israel's blockade a war crime.
He called on the International Courts of Justice to bring justice to Palestinians.
Turkey said Saturday that it would apply next week for an investigation by the International Court of Justice into the legality of Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Despite Palmer's findings that Israeli soldiers used excessive force during the May 2010 flotilla raid, Tel Aviv refused to apologize for the killing of nine Turks and on Friday Ankara expelled Israel's ambassador and froze military agreements with Israel.
Aside from demanding an apology, and compensation for families, Turkey also insists Israel ends the blockade of Palestinians living in Gaza.
Radwan praised Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and thanked the Turkish people for supporting Palestinians.
He also urged activists to send more aid convoys to the Gaza Strip.
PM: Israel will not apologize to Turkey
Benjamin Netanyahu adamant that Israel's actions during 2010 Gaza flotilla raid fall within its right to self-defense. Jerusalem regrets loss of life, he says; 'I hope we can mend our relations with Turkey'.
"Israel has the right to defend itself," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, in his first official reaction to Turkey's decision to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Israel, following the release of the UN's Palmer Report.
"We do not have to apologize for the fact that Naval Commandos defended themselves," Netanyahu said during Sunday's cabinet meeting.
The UN's report, he said, proved what Israel already knew: "We have the full and basic right to defend ourselves from a violent IHH attack, and we don't have to apologize for trying to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas terrorists and for defending our citizens and our children.
"Just as IDF soldiers and commandos defend us, we will defend them – in any international forum," he added.
"Israel regrets any loss of life and I hope we can find a way to mend our relations with Turkey," Netanyahu said. "Israel never sought to see the situation deteriorate, nor do we wish it to remain like this."
The UN-commissioned report, which reviewed the events of the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, found that Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza is legal, but expressed concerns over what it called the IDF's "excessive use of force" during the raid, which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish citizens.
Turkey rejected the report's conclusions as biased and announced it was expelling the Israeli ambassador to Ankara and downgrading diplomatic relations with Israel to second-secretary level.
On Firday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that as far as Ankara was concerned, the Palmer Report was "null and void."
Ankara also announced it would be exploring its options against Israel with the International Court of Justice.
"Israel has the right to defend itself," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, in his first official reaction to Turkey's decision to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Israel, following the release of the UN's Palmer Report.
"We do not have to apologize for the fact that Naval Commandos defended themselves," Netanyahu said during Sunday's cabinet meeting.
The UN's report, he said, proved what Israel already knew: "We have the full and basic right to defend ourselves from a violent IHH attack, and we don't have to apologize for trying to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas terrorists and for defending our citizens and our children.
"Just as IDF soldiers and commandos defend us, we will defend them – in any international forum," he added.
"Israel regrets any loss of life and I hope we can find a way to mend our relations with Turkey," Netanyahu said. "Israel never sought to see the situation deteriorate, nor do we wish it to remain like this."
The UN-commissioned report, which reviewed the events of the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, found that Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza is legal, but expressed concerns over what it called the IDF's "excessive use of force" during the raid, which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish citizens.
Turkey rejected the report's conclusions as biased and announced it was expelling the Israeli ambassador to Ankara and downgrading diplomatic relations with Israel to second-secretary level.
On Firday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that as far as Ankara was concerned, the Palmer Report was "null and void."
Ankara also announced it would be exploring its options against Israel with the International Court of Justice.
Islamic Jihad welcomes Turkish punitive steps against Israel
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement hailed the Turkish government for taking punitive measures against the Israeli occupation state in response to its intransigence and arrogance.
"Ankara's declaration to minimize the level of relations with the occupation entity and suspend the military cooperation with the Zionists is an important prelude to isolating this entity as it is alien to the region," Islamic Jihad stated in a press release on Saturday.
The Movement urged all Islamic and Arab countries that have relations with the Israeli occupation to take similar firm decisions and hasten to stop their ties completely with it.
"Such decisions must be immediately announced and translated into action without delay in order to be more effective and deterrent to the Zionist savagery," it added.
"Ankara's declaration to minimize the level of relations with the occupation entity and suspend the military cooperation with the Zionists is an important prelude to isolating this entity as it is alien to the region," Islamic Jihad stated in a press release on Saturday.
The Movement urged all Islamic and Arab countries that have relations with the Israeli occupation to take similar firm decisions and hasten to stop their ties completely with it.
"Such decisions must be immediately announced and translated into action without delay in order to be more effective and deterrent to the Zionist savagery," it added.
