The 31st of May 2012 marked the second anniversary of the Mavi Marmara attack in which nine Turkish activists were killed and many more injured when they attempted to sail to Gaza in order to break the illegal Israeli siege. The Mavi Marmara, which was part of an international freedom flotilla, was raided by Israeli military force commandos in international waters when they came under attack. The result was: nine martyrs, many injured and one person who is still in a coma due to traumatic brain damage.
A press conference was held at Al-Meena, Gaza at the sight of the monument for the martyrs who died on board the Mavi Marmara. Mohamed Kaya who is a representative of the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) stated that Turkey and its people will continue to support Palestinians against Israeli occupation and in breaking the siege on Gaza.
Mohamed Al-Katoori, a Palestinian activist came to show his solidarity and support for the victims of the Mavi Marmara. He was disappointed that calls to bring the Israeli commandos, who committed the crimes, to justice for their crimes continue to go unheeded. He also stated that if one Israeli soldier was killed in international waters the international community would take action and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The children of Gaza also came to show their support where they could be seen smiling and waving the Turkish flag. The leader of the Islamic Jihad political party, Mohammed Hendi, addressed the gathering saying, “Those free people rejected a history of humiliation. They came to Gaza to remind us of our nation of dignity, of the unity of our nation.”
Local and international activists also came to show their support, give interviews and remember the victims of the Mavi Marmara. A wreath of flowers was laid at the sight of the monument in memory of the martyrs.
These events are significant to the Palestinian struggle as they highlight to the international community the criminality of the occupation state of Israel.
