Gaza Freedom Flotilla

1
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
This article is about the 2010 flotilla. For the 2010 flotilla raid and its aftermath, see Gaza flotilla raid. For the 2011
flotilla, see Freedom Flotilla II.
Coordinates: 32.64113N 33.56727E
[1]
Blockade of the
Gaza Strip
Goods allowed or banned
Smuggling tunnels
Crossings
Rafah
IsraelGaza
Erez
Karni
Kerem Shalom
2004
Philadelphi Accord
2006
Economic sanctions
2007
FatahHamas battle
2008
GazaEgypt border breach
Gaza War
2009
Viva Palestina "Lifeline 3"
2010
Freedom Flotilla
Participants
Ships
(Mavi Marmara Rachel Corrie)
Raid
(reactions legal assessments
Turkel Commission)
Other convoys
Viva Palestina "Lifeline 5"
Road to Hope
Jewish Boat to Gaza
2011
Freedom Flotilla II
(participants)
v
t
e
[2]
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
2
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla, organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights
and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (HH), was carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials, with the
intention of breaking the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip.
On 31 May 2010, Israeli forces boarded the ships from speedboats and helicopters and killed nine activists (see Gaza
flotilla raid). Widespread international condemnation of and reaction to the raid followed, IsraelTurkey relations
were strained, and Israel subsequently eased its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Overview
The flotilla was the Free Gaza Movement's ninth attempt to break the naval blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza
Strip. Israel proposed inspecting the cargo at the Port of Ashdod and then delivering non-blockaded goods through
land crossings, but this proposal was turned down. Israeli forces then raided and seized the Gaza-bound ships in
international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Five shipments had been allowed through prior to the 200809 Gaza War, but all shipments following the war were
blocked by Israel. This flotilla was the largest to date. An Islamic aid group from Turkey, the HH (nsani Yardm
Vakf) (Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief) sponsored a large passenger ship and
two cargo ships.
While one U.N report found Israel's blockade of Gaza to be legal, another set of U.N. experts, reporting to the
Human Rights Council, came to the opposite conclusion finding that it violated international law.
Organization
Ships
The ships of the Gaza flotilla raid comprised three passenger ships and three cargo ships:
Challenger 1 (small yacht), US, Free Gaza Movement
MS Eleftheri Mesogios (Free Mediterranean) or Sofia (cargo boat), Greece, Sweden
[3]
Greek Ship to Gaza
Sfendoni(small passenger boat), Greece Greek Ship to Gaza and European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza
MV Mavi Marmara (passenger ship), Comoros, HH
Gazze, Turkey, HH
Defne Y, Kiribati, HH
Two other Free Gaza Movement ships, Challenger 2 (USA flagged) and MV Rachel Corrie (Cambodia flagged)
were behind the rest of the flotilla due to mechanical problems. There have been claims this was due to Israeli
sabotage.
[4]
Challenger 2 aborted,Wikipedia:Citation needed but the Rachel Corrie continued its journey.
Flag Name Organisation Port Passengers Crew Cargo
USA Challenger 1 Free Gaza Movement Heraklion
USA Challenger 2 Free Gaza Movement Heraklion
Greece
MS Eleftheri
Mesogeios
Greek Ship to Gaza Piraeus Wheelchairs, building materials, medicine
Greece
Sfendoni Greek Ship to Gaza,
European Campaign
to End the Siege on
Gaza
Piraeus
Comoros MV Mavi
Marmara
IHH Antalya 581
Turkey
Gazze IHH Antalya 5 13 2,104 tons of cement, 600 tons of construction steel, and
50 tons of tiles
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
3
Kiribati MV Defne Y IHH Antalya 27 23 150 tons of iron, 98 power units, 50 precast homes, 16
units of children's playground equipment, food, shoes,
medicine, wheelchairs, clothing items, notebooks and
textbooks
Cambodia
MV Rachel
Corrie
Free Gaza Movement Dundalk 11 8 550 tons of cement, 20 tons of paper, 100 tons of
high-end medical equipment, wheelchairs, books, fabric,
and thread
Cargo
Three of the flotilla ships carried only passengers and their personal belongings, while three other ships carried
10,000 tons of humanitarian aid, with an estimated value of $20 million. The cargo included food, wheelchairs,
books, toys, electricity generators, operating theater equipment, medicines, medical equipment, textiles, footwear,
cash, mobility scooters, sofas, and building materials, such as cement, which are prohibited under the Israeli
blockade, although Israel offered to allow the cement to enter Gaza, if the flotilla were to dock in Ashdod.
The flotilla was reported to be carrying ballistic vests, gas masks, night-vision goggles, clubs, and slingshots,
although the UNHRC report does not mention these items
[5]
and in the Turkish Report on the Israeli attack on the
Humanitarian Aid Convoy to Gaza it states that all passengers and crew as well as the cargo were searched to
international standards and no weapons were found, on the ships departing from Turkey.
[6]
Two-thirds of the medicines delivered by the flotilla expired between six and fifteen months prior to the raid, and
were found to be useless. Some other medicines found on the flotilla were due to expire soon. Additionally, Israel
said that much of the cargo, including sensitive medical equipment, was found to have been scattered in the ship's
holds, and put in piles rather than packed properly for transport, and consequently damaged. Operating theater
equipment, which was supposed to be kept sterile, was carelessly wrapped. The expiring medications and sensistive
equipment were kept in frozen storage in the Israeli Defense Ministry before delivery to Gaza.
Passengers
Main article: List of participants of the Gaza flotilla
In previous voyages, Free Gaza vessels carried 140 passengers in total. In this flotilla, over 600 activists were on
board the Mavi Marmara alone. There were 663 passengers from 37 nations on board the flotilla. Notable people
aboard the flotilla included Denis Halliday former UN Assistant Secretary-General, Edward Peck former U.S.
Ambassador to Mauritania and Joe Meadors a survivor of the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty. Israeli-Arab member
of Knesset Haneen Zoubi, leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel Raed Salah, Swedish
novelist Henning Mankell, convicted hijacker Erdin Tekir, who participated in the Black Sea hijacking, and a
number of parliamentarians from European and Arab national legislatures and the European Parliament.
Ties with groups marked as terror organizations
In Jun 2010 Assistant Secretary of State P.J. Crowley told reporters Wednesday: "'We know that IHH representatives
have met with senior Hamas officials in Turkey, Syria and Gaza over the past three years,'" and "'That is obviously
of great concern to us.'"
the AP was quoted on msnbc The Turkish Islamic charity behind a flotilla of aid ships that was raided by Israeli
forces on its way to Gaza had ties to terrorism networks, including a 1999 al-Qaida plot to bomb Los Angeles
International Airport, France's former top anti-terrorism judge said Wednesday.
In Jun 2012 it reported that the IHH director Fehmi Blent Yldrm is reportedly being investigated by Turkish
authorities for allegedly creating a financial partnership with the al-Qaeda.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
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Motives
Israel questioned the humanitarian motives of flotilla organizers. Israel said it had invited the organizers to use the
land crossings but they were "less interested in bringing in aid than in promoting their radical agenda, playing into
the hands of Hamas provocations. While they have wrapped themselves in a humanitarian cloak, they are engaging
in political propaganda and not in pro-Palestinian aid."
According to an early IDF press release, the ship carried 75 mercenaries with links to al-Qaeda and other terror
organizations, who carried $10,000 apiece on their persons, The claim was never substantiated and was later
withdrawn. Israel has said that the group boarded separately in a different city and went on deck under different
procedures. The Turkish Customs officials and the HH denied the allegations.
The impending arrival of the fleet was known to Israel government, military intelligence and press. Israel said that
the flotilla was violating international law, but one of the flotilla's organizers, Greta Berlin, stated that "[w]e have the
right to sail from international waters into the waters of Gaza". Israel informed the fleet that it would be redirected to
the port of Ashdod and the cargo would be transferred to Gaza after undergoing a security inspection. Foreigners
would be deported or, if they did not willingly agree to be deported, detained.
The flotilla organisers rejected Israel's demand, as it did not believe that Israel would transfer the cargo to Gaza, and
said that, "This mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it's about breaking Israel's siege on 1.5 million
Palestinians... We want to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of Gaza and pressure the
international community to review its sanctions policy and end its support for continued Israeli occupation."
The UNHRC fact-finding mission noted a "certain tension between the political objectives of the flotilla and its
humanitarian objectives", which came to light "the moment the Government of Israel made offers to allow the
humanitarian aid to be delivered via Israeli ports but under the supervision of a neutral organization". It also
announced that Gaza did not have a deep sea port capable of receiving the sort of cargo ships participating in the
flotilla. It concluded that "whilst the mission is satisfied that the flotilla constituted a serious attempt to bring
essential humanitarian supplies into Gaza, it seems clear that the primary objective was political, as indeed
demonstrated by the decision of those on board the Rachel Corrie to reject a Government of Ireland-sponsored
proposal that the cargo in that ship be allowed through Ashdod intact".
[7]
Some supporters of the flotilla said that "a violent response from Israel will breathe new life into the Palestine
solidarity movement, drawing attention to the blockade." Two of the activists (Ali Haydar Bengi and Ibrahim
Bilgen) who died during the MV Mavi Marmara clash had previously said that they wished for martydom. On 29
May, Aljazeera broadcast footage of Mavi Marmara activists participating in a chant calling for battle against Jews.
Former U.S. Marine Kenneth O'Keefe, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara, stated that the activists knew from the
outset that there would be no passive resistance. "I knew that if the Israelis boarded that ship, it would be a
disaster...You have to be an idiot to board that ship and think it will be a ship of passive resistance," he told Haaretz
newspaper.
Initial leg
Six of the eight ships set out on 30 May 2010 from international waters off the coast of Cyprus; the remaining two
were delayed by mechanical problems. "We do not even have a jackknife here, but we will not let Israeli soldiers on
board this ship," HH leader Fehmi Blent Yldrm told reporters via a live video stream before the convoy set sail.
The government of Cyprus refused to cooperate with the Free Gaza Movement or allow activists to sail from its
harbors. The Cyprus Police stated that "anything related to the trip to Gaza is not permitted," and as a result
remaining MPs and activists embarked instead from Famagusta in Northern Cyprus. Cypriot and Greek MPs and
activists refused to embark via ports in Northern Cyprus. Having been delayed by two days, the flotilla aimed to
reach Gaza on the afternoon of 31 May.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
5
Pre-raid sabotage rumors
The IDF or the Mossad may have sabotaged three of the ships before the raid. According to the National Post, Israeli
deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai hinted that Israel had exhausted covert means of stalling the vessels. He said:
"Everything was considered. I don't want to elaborate beyond that, because the fact is there were not up to 10, or
however many ships were [originally] planned." A senior IDF officer hinted to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and
Defense Committee that some of the vessels had been tampered with to halt them far from the Gaza or Israeli coast.
According to UPI press coverage, the officer alluded to "grey operations" against the flotilla and said that no such
action had been taken against the Mavi Marmara out of fear that the vessel might be stranded in the middle of the
sea, endangering the people on board. Israel was accused of sabotaging activist ships in the past but no evidence has
been found to back up these claims.
Three ships the Rachel Corrie, the Challenger I and the Challenger II suffered damage or malfunction. While
the Challenger I was able to continue, the Challenger II had to turn back halfway through the journey and Rachel
Corrie docked for repairs in Malta. Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza Movement said that electric wires may have been
tampered with.
Raid and aftermath
Main article: Gaza flotilla raid
Israeli forces raided the flotilla on the night of 3031 May 2010 in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea,
boarding the ships using speedboats and helicopters. Nine activists were killed. Dozens of activists and seven Israeli
soldiers were injured.
After the raid, the activists were detained in Israel pending release: all were deported by 6 June. The ships were
towed to Israel and those claimed by their owners were returned. The aid was delivered to Gaza under United
Nations supervision on 17 June.
Widespread international condemnation of and reaction to the raid followed. Various investigations were conducted,
including by the United Nations, Israel and Turkey. Israel-Turkey relations were strained, and Israel subsequently
eased its blockade on Palestine.
Subsequent events
Freedom Flotilla II
Main article: Freedom Flotilla II
Freedom Flotilla West Papua
Another movement happen in Pacific region, On 15 August 2013, at 10 pm, two peace mission yachts of 15
Aboriginal and Papuan activists in support of the West Papuan independence struggle from Indonesian leave Cairns,
Australia headed to the Merauke Town, southern region of Indonesia's Papua.
The Australian and West Papuan activists are set to sail to territory of West Papua without permission while
Indonesian military has confirmed that they will raid them if they crossing the borders. The fleet is expected to make
unauthorised landfall in West Papua in September.
Meanwhile, Four West Papuan pro-independence leaders were arrested by authorities on Wednesday, in Sorong - a
coastal city in the western Indonesian province of West Papua - on charges of organising a congregation pray
meeting at the Marantha Church in the city.
Over 2000 people had gathered at the local church to pray for the safe passage of the West Papua Freedom Flotilla,
around 200 policemen surrounded the church and arrested the four leaders.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
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In show of global solidarity, a demonstration took place outside the Indonesian Embassy, in The Hague, calling for
the safe passage of the Freedom Flotilla to West Papua. The campaigners have opened an office in the city in an
effort to push for the cause of West Papua's independence and highlight the alleged human rights abuses that have
taken place in West Papua since 1962.
References
[1] http:/ / tools.wmflabs. org/ geohack/ geohack. php?pagename=Gaza_Freedom_Flotilla& params=32. 64113_N_33.
56727_E_type:event_region:XZ
[2] http:/ / en. wikipedia. org/ w/ index. php?title=Template:Gaza_blockade& action=edit
[3] [3] UNHRC report 2010, p.20.
[4]

[5] UNHRC report 2010, pp.2224.

"All personal belongings and cargo were also thoroughly inspected and
cleared."
.
[7] [7] UNHRC report 2010, p.19.
Citations
"Report of the international fact-finding mission to investigate violations of international law, including
international humanitarian and human rights law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying
humanitarian assistance" (http:/ / www2. ohchr. org/ english/ bodies/ hrcouncil/ docs/ 15session/ A. HRC. 15.
21_en. pdf). UN Human Rights Council. 27 September 2010. p.66. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
"Interim Report on the Israeli Attack on the Humanitarian Aid Convoy to Gaza on 31 May 2010" (http:/ /
dosyalar. hurriyet. com. tr/ mavimarmara_rapor. pdf). Ankara: Turkish National Commission of Inquiry.
September 2010. p.74. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
"Report on the Israeli Attack on the Humanitarian Aid Convoy to Gaza on 31 May 2010" (http:/ / www. gif. org.
tr/ eng/ pdf/ 110210_Turkey_Final_Report. pdf). Ankara: Turkish National Commission of Inquiry. February
2011. p.117. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
External links
Media related to Gaza flotilla clash at Wikimedia Commons
News related to Attorney general drops case against Israeli participants in Freedom Flotilla at Wikinews.
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Gaza Freedom Flotilla Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=603930129 Contributors: Bastun, Bobcats 23, Brandmeister, Cs32en, DePiep, Dlv999, Evano1van, Froid,
IranitGreenberg, JellWaffle, John Paris Circle, Juro2351, Materialscientist, Michael Zeev, Mirokado, Modinyr, Olegwiki, RA0808, Rezibalas, Rjwilmsi, Sepsis II, Tom Morris, Ynhockey, 17
anonymous edits
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