The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly argued that the Turkish Islamic Charity IHH that owned the ship Blue Marmara has been linked to various networks of terror. Many journalists reiterated the claim; at times referring to former French judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere’s statements about the links between IHH and Al Qaeda.
Previously, Judge Brugiere had reached erroneous judgements that attracted critique from both the left and right establishment of France, a position difficult to reach. In his controversial report that came out in 2006, he accused politicians in Burundi for acts of terror by consulting only two sources, who were established political enemies of the man the judge accused. Both Liberation and Le Figaro, the ideological poles that are hard to bring together, had joined forces to discredit the judge’s previous accusations of terror.
This time by consulting no source at all, Mr. Brugiere points a finger at another alleged source of terror, IHH. According to the former judge, now a professional politician who has ran for office with Sarkozy’s conservative coalition, the Islamic charity is linked to networks of terror. He is wrong, again. This time for three solid reasons:
First, IHH e.v has also been active in Germany, which ran a thorough investigation of all Islamic charity networks in Germany, including IHH. Despite great effort and careful research supported by Turkish government, no link to any organization that even ideologically supports forms of active resistance of any sort was found. The organization is pacifist, denying employment to any one who embraces even symbolic violence.
Second, IHH is closer to Saadet Party, the political enemy of the ruling AKP and a party closer to the ideology of Christian Democrats in Germany and other parts of Europe. AKP would be inclined to do its best to discredit its rival’s charity organization, and with reasons more legitimate than those of former Judge Brugiere. They could not find any links.
Third, the ultra-secular establishment of Turkey loathes any form of political Islamic organization, including IHH. So far, none of these organizations, including the ones who were innovative enough to accuse president Abdullah Gul of being a “US agent”, could even imagine that IHH had links to Al Qaeda.
The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs has imagination wilder than Turkish Islamists and Seculars, French Communists and Conservatives combined. The time has come to use that imagination for peace, not killing or accusing peace activists.
Koray Caliskan is Vice Chair of Bogazici University's Department of Political Science and International Relations in Istanbul
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Interesting updates on the flotilla murders at:
http://www.hybridstates.com/2010/06/testimony-of-rogue-commando-who-killed-six-civilian-activists-further-undermines-official-idf-story/
wow disturbing article link:
“Israeli commando who shot six passengers in aid convoy in line for medal”
Go I D F!
How does one have a “Staff Sergeant S.” in a naval commando unit? Does their Navy have Army ranks? I noticed an earlier story about a “Lieutenant Colonel” (nicknamed “Cheney”, by the way) who allegedly commands the whole Israeli Navy.
I guess I owe an apology to one “Captain R.” in the unit. I posted someplace a day or two ago that, since it’s a naval unit, he’s a Navy Captain, a high-ranking officer, the equivalent of an Army Colonel. If that’s an Army rank, an Army Captain is a rather low-ranking officer, the equivalent of a U.S. Navy Lieutenant.
You noticed a referewnce to “Lieutenant Colonel” (nicknamed “Cheney” …) in an earlier story? On Hybrid States? Do you have a url? I have done a site search and not found it.
Israel’s Military, the IDF, states Massacre was Planned & Approved at the Top:
Thanks for that. I thought one Cheney in the world was sufficient, but I suppose one can never have too much of a good thing.
“Does their Navy have Army ranks?”
Why not? The U.S. Air Force has Army ranks.
If it is true, the IDF reputation really is disintegrating. No wonder they were trying to keep it quiet. The IDF was trashed by Hezbollah, Hamas and Gaza survive the Israeli depredations, the elite special forces bounced by unarmed civilians … All the IDF can do is take things out on the unarmed and physically defenceless.
there are links from ww2 zionist party and germanys leader at the time too, which sent millions to their deaths, but look at them now, the ruling party here in america running all the theaters for the world to be party to.
why has that little connection never been addressed?? at least by the people whom care to share
The hasbara was planned at the same time as the use of lethal force. Israel has form in this. There was deir Yassin, villagers murdered pour encourager les autres. Great hasbara too. Same thing in Sabra and Shatila. More carnage and the hasbara is still mentioned today by those on Ziocaine. Remember the hasbara that followed the Qana massacre in 1996 ? And who can forget the lies that accompanied the brutal assault on Gaza in 2009?
Meanwhile it’s great hasbara but it makes the soldiers of the world’s most moral army look like the losers they are.Talk about the IDF shooting itself in the foot
http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/06/0105.htm
Al Qaeda is Israel’s magic worrd. the retraction of the al qaeda allegation today was shameless.
If things ever get so bad in Israel that the mizrahi have to be shafted in order to save Zionism you can bet your bottom dollar that the IDF will spin against them using the same slimy hasbara we have seen in action this week.
I’m glad someone is finally taking this on. I expect Israel to paint whomever they don’t like with a “terrorist” brush, and it seemed disengenuous in the extreme to accuse yet another international humanitarian organization of ties to terrorism, but they’ve been getting away with it uncontested so far.
Koray,
You did a wonderful work here with this article. Thank you.
alqeda is a made up thing and not by the arabs freedom fighters, or osama whom have used it ever since the usa first mentioned the name alqueda. They truely looked as if they were in together on it. just a hunch !!
I hope there will be real efforts and not pocketing money politicians going to vacation and meeting for a photo op for nothing. If only the paid people that shoot these rockets…these useless dammed rockets, would stop and pursue with the pen in international courts, maybe a chance could be had for some separation of the west bank/gaza and aparthied, however jerusalem must be internationalized, and not part of ANY FUTURE jewish state or anyones state capitol. IT must have international troops not of jewish or american origin anymore !! But since peace is not a desire of the aparthied…..I’ll just read some more mondo.
Can we now start the treason charges here in the usa???
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