Didim Today

Turkey and the international community were shaken yesterday by news of an Israeli attack on an international convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been suffering from a harsh economic blockade over the past three years. The Israeli attack killed more than a dozen civilians while the convoy was sailing in international waters. Hundreds of activists from around the world and some 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid were onboard the ships, dubbed the Freedom Flotilla.

Everyone was expecting some sort of intervention from Israel, but its brutal violence and the killing of peaceful activists led to nationwide outrage in Turkey yesterday. The Freedom Flotilla was in the news and columns in yesterday’s newspapers, with analysts praising and making encouraging remarks for those on board the aid ships without at the time of writing knowing the fate of the convoy.

Hürriyet’s Ahmet Hakan voices his admiration for those on board the aid ships because they were not deterred by Israeli threats of intervention and took personal action in order to help the victimized people of Gaza. “They set out saying, ‘Let’s take personal action,’ and left behind all diplomatic games, UN resolutions no one cares about, rhetoric, frowning statesmen, unnecessary restrictions and remorseless status quo.

The ships are sailing with no heed to Israeli threats, the US being displeased [with their actions], warships being mobilized and countries going on alert in order to take a stance in the wake of developments.

How blessed is this flotilla and how blessed are those on board that flotilla. Despite threats from the tyrant, they have not dashed the hopes of the victimized people. This is worthy of everything,” Hakan said of the aid flotilla.

Taraf’s Cihan Aktaş says she would very much like to be one on board one of the ships in the aid flotilla and thinks the ships set sail for Gaza in order to save the conscience of humanity. “Their progress reminds one of a trip prior to a flood.

I wish these ships and those on board them, people who give us the message that there are still people in the world who protect humanitarian values, will achieve their goals and return safe and sound,” Aktaş said.

Yeni Şafak’s Hakan Albayrak, one of the activists who was on board one of the aid ships and who wrote his column from there on Sunday afternoon, says a possible Israeli attack would be tantamount to piracy while any detention or arrest of passengers will be taking the passengers hostage. “Israel is getting ready to challenge international law and all countries, but mainly the Republic of Turkey, whose citizens are on board the ships. I hope necessary action is taken to prevent this,” Albayrak says.

F Disli Zibak reported online for Todays Zaman