Turkey's IHH, Free Gaza plan to break Israel siege through sea

Turkish Relief Foundation (IHH) and Free Gaza Movement plan to break years of Israel siege on Gaza land through sea this time.

The campaign that is expected to start on April 20, is named "last port is freedom".

IHH said in a statement sent to World Bulletin, "the Flotilla is planned to contain 20 boats, which some of them will be cargo boats."

Along with Free Gaza Movement in UK and IHH in Turkey, organizations from USA, Malaysia, Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Venezuella are expected to join the flotilla by sending boats, the statement said.

Boats will be laden with building supplies, generators and educational materials that Israel halts from entering Gaza since their brutal attack on the civilian population a year ago.

The many passenger boats will carry members of Parliament from countries around the world as well as high-profile journalists and human rights activists.

The ship that will set off from Istanbul aims to reach Gaza via the Mediterranean Sea. There are no international legal obstacles to prevent ships to go to Gaza through the sea.

The relief foundation Chairman Bulent Yildirim said the aid campaign aims to sail with 20 ships and as IHH, plans to buy 5 ships.

Yildirim said they continue to research for the purchase. " We continue talks for the purchase of 3 ships, looking for ships in Greece and other countries."

IHH launched an aid campaign for the purchase of ships.

"But we have no power to do this alone. We launch an aid campaign to get these ships. We want everyone to contribute a small share, expect donations from our charitable people," he said.

Pointing out to the embargo in Gaza since 2006, Yildirim said, "We, as non-governmental organizations take the civilian initiative. We demand to end this embargo. Launched in December 2009, our convoy did break the siege, the issue was brought to the world agenda once more. We will break the embargo from the sea this time. Hopefully after this move, states willl act as well."

/World Bulletin/