TURKEY: Turks celebrate Israel's decision to deport aid fleet activists, as relatives of deceased pro-palestinian activist mourn their loss

Record ID: 396296

  • Title: TURKEY: Turks celebrate Israel's decision to deport aid fleet activists, as relatives of deceased pro-palestinian activist mourn their loss
  • Date: 2nd June 2010
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JUNE 01, 2010) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) PROTESTERS CHANTING INSIDE A CAR PROTESTERS WAVING PALESTINIAN FLAGS WOMEN CHANTING ANTI-ISRAELI SLOGANS AND WAVING TURKISH FLAGS BANNER READING ''EVERY PLACE IS PALESTINE, WE ARE ALL PALESTINIANS' VARIOUS OF WOMEN CHANTING PROTESTERS CARRYING TORCHES SOUNDBITE (Turkish) TURKISH PROTESTER ENVER BIYIKLI SAYING: "
  • Embargoed: 17th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA70A4SPYNBS8WL7DOJOCMS1DK6
  • Story Text: Israel said on Tuesday (June 01) it would immediately deport hundreds of foreign activists seized aboard a Turkish-backed aid flotilla to Gaza in a bloody raid. Turkish protesters in Ankara celebrated the decision.
    Some protesters however expressed some doubt:
    "One cannot trust Israel's word," Turkish protester Enver Biyikli said. "We won't leave this place untill those ships and imprisoned activists return. I don't believe in Israel's decision."
    "Of course they have to release the detainees," said another protester Feyzanur Ocak. "If they won't set them free in near future, bigger problems might occur. So we will wait here until the last person on the ship returns. Our resistance will continue."
    In the face of mounting world criticism of Monday's assault, Israeli officials said all 680 activists held would be freed, including two dozen of their number who Israel had earlier threatened to prosecute, alleging they'd assaulted Israeli troops.
    Meanwhile, the family of late pro-Palestinian activist Ali Aydar Bengi, one of those killed in the Israeli raid was devastated after receiving the shocking news.
    "My uncle knew that he was risking his life before sailing," Bengi's sister-in-law Azize Tekin told Reuters. "He told my sister that he would become a martyr. He even wrote his will before leaving. So that was what he wished for. We are proud of him."
    "The whole world denounced Israel, so did we," Tekin added as Bengi's wife Sanye Bengi remained silent, trying to comprehend the unfolding events. "Once again they have shown their ugly side to the world. I cannot even consider them as human beings."
    The Foundation for Human Rights, Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, the main organiser of the flotilla stormed by Israeli navy forces, will file an official complaint against Israel, the Foundation Deputy President Yavuz Dede said earlier.
    "Families of the participant activists, members of our foundations and some international NGOs will file a complaint against Israel, on the officials who took part in that operation, Israeli Prime Minister and Chief of General Staff. We will take this issue to the international courts," he told a news conference.
    "Bodies of those who were killed are still on the ship. They have taken the bodies out for autopsy but our Foreign Ministry said the autopsy should be made here in Turkey. Families of the victims also agreed that autopsy should be performed here," Dede added.
    Nine civilians were killed, dozens were injured and hundreds were detained on Monday (May 31) when Israeli forces raided a flotilla of Turkish-backed aid ships planning to run the Israeli sea blockade of Gaza.
    The incident provoked widespread condemnation, and the United Nations called for an impartial investigation to determine what happened as Israeli forces boarded the ship where the killings occurred.
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