Report: Turkey probe reveals Irish ship in Gaza flotilla not sabotaged
Flotilla organizers claim that the Irish ship was intentionally sabotaged while it was docked in Turkey, a claim which the Turkish police investigation casts doubt on.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Gaza flotilla Gaza TurkeyAn investigation by Turkish police into the alleged sabotaging of an Irish ship set to sail in the flotilla to Gaza revealed that the damage to the ship occurred before it docked in Turkey, the Turkish daily Hurriyet reported on Saturday.
The flotilla organizers have claimed that the ship was docked in Turkey’s territorial waters when the tampering occurred.
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Flotilla organizers working on their damaged ship in the port of Pireaus. |
| Photo by: Karla Larson |
Hurriyet reported Turkish diplomats as saying that the investigation revealed that the damage done to the ship had occurred before it docked, and was most likely not caused intentionally.
According to an activist, the engine of the Irish vessel was damaged in such a way that would have caused the ship to sink in the middle of the ocean and cause fatalities.
The flotilla spokesman, Dror Feiler, told Army Radio that he has no proof that Israel was responsible for the damage, but that the state would do everything in its power to prevent the ships from heading to Gaza.
“I saw the damage and it is clear that it was done in a planned and professional way,” he said. “The Israeli government is the only one that could benefit from this.”
On Monday, the propeller of the Greek-Swedish ship "Juliano" was found broken, and Gaza flotilla organizers said they believed it was deliberate sabotage by Israel. Due to the vandalism, flotilla participants have organized guard duty rosters for each ship that is due to sail for Gaza.
Meanwhile in Greece, the government issued a statement on Friday, saying that the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza has been prohibited. The statement explained that this is in a bid to prevent a breach of Israel’s naval blockade.
The flotilla is set to head toward Gaza a little over a year after Israeli marines stormed another pro-Palestinian flotilla that had approached the strip. Nine activists died in the on-board clashes, provoking an international outcry.
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Chicken little 'the sky is falling and the Jews did it!" This gets funnier each day with accusations, retractions, and then, the facts.
The Turkish police did a very good job here and ought to be congradulated!
These are some of the cream of Irish intellect; brilliant freedom fighters just trying to make the world safe for Hamas Terrorists. Obviously well supported in the highest circles of lefty globalist socialist Jew hating thinkers. Just leave on your world changing mission from Dublin. Take the nice summer cruise down the Atlantic. You don't need to involve the likes of Turks, Cypriots, or Greeks to leave their shores. You are much more important than that.
Poor Gazans are subjected to the collective punishment of their stupid, militant, egotistical leaders with losing ways that just can't float even in the saltiest of seas.
ZIONIST PARANOIA IN ACTION!!!
Turkish officials said that the sabotage didn't take place in the territorial water of Turkey but didn't rule out the possibility of a sabotage . Of course they wouldn't say that it didn't take place in Turkey because the Turkish people will become outraged and do something which will be bad for Turkey itself and not for Israel .
They are at the forefront of all anti-Israel activity in Europe. The Irish must be barred from entering Israel.
Now they try to make it look like Israel did it. Well Thank you Turkey for exposing these liars for what they are. Now their entire flotilla is lacking credibility. Those on the Irish ship are accomplices in their silence. I wonder how many other ships and their owners sabotaged their own ships
waaaaa lets blame the Jews
Amusingly enough, there are no publicised photos of the actual damage to the vessel.
if ship was not sabotaged, it simply means Israel intentionally refrained from sabotaging it so as to prevent us from putting the blame on Israel. that's really terrible news
These Peace-Activists are typically not used to the hard labour and focus it takes to keep a ship in good condition.
And don't even start about how modern life is impossible without the inventions of Israeli geniuses: Those lists are just silly propaganda. Grow up.
For the Irish libels against the Jews aren't anything new. They also claim Jews killed Jesus, no?
... there should be ghost-writers galore for such current and heady stuff...
The whole myth of Gaza needing aid is a falsehood peddled by these creatures. They are being unmasked. Their humiliation is a source of joy for ALL Israelis and ALL those who which to see terror thwarted.
Lower than a snake's belly.
this blockade was condemned by the world for its brutality and useless for Israel
Anytime the blockade can be lifted when Hamas renounces terrorism and accepts already signed agreements Don't blame Israel, look closely at Hamas the same terror org you are trying to bring help to.
The blockade was condmened because the world believed your lies. Now they are beginning to see the truth you will need to think up new tactics. The downside is that the awakening world is on your case and you are going to lose again.
Want to go for more?
You really shouldn't throw that term around if you feel strongly about it in any way.
Good on you Montreal. The old fall back. ANTISEMISM.
This just adds evidence to the theory that people don't care about gazans or palastinians. All they care about is deomonising israel 'zionists' (not jews, i'm not a racist.) It's despicable. Of course israel is not perfect, but clearly you irish people are now in no position to accuse israel of 'hasbara' and lies.
for they are of the very same race, with related language, cousins, in fact. So don't worry, you are not racist even if a billion accuse you of racism. It's an ethnic/religious/territorial conflict and has never been racist or racial on either side, no matter how many Jew-haters and self-hating Jews would like to convince you otherwise. Racism is clearly defined as prejudice based on racial difference; does not apply to same-race conflict.
Reply to Josh. Israel used our passports to commit murder the worst crime of all, so what position does that put Israel in.
If the facts dont fit your perception and reality just ignore them
....ignorance and fanaticism that destroyed the ship. And now the flotilla´s mission is cancelled. Good. There is a growing cooperation between Jerusalem, Athens, Washington and Ankara. But I feel sorry for the prominent intellectuals and activists in Europe that have invested so much time on vicious Israel-bashing: the flotilla sank - it is a total fiasco. No - of course I´m not sorry. I am schadenfroh. Shalom!
In a 2002 article, ISM co-founders Adam Shapiro and Huwaida Arraf wrote: “The Palestinian resistance must take on a variety of characteristics, both non-violent and violent. Yes, people will get killed and injured,” but these deaths are “no less noble than carrying out a suicide operation. And we are certain that if these men were killed during such an action, they would be considered shaheed Allah.” PROVOCATION INDEED!
With that kind of position, it is clear that the fleet for Gaza is/was trying to smuggle weapons, and possibly provoke a conflict.
flotilla should be named 'flotilla of thugs and liars'!
They broke the American law of "action against a country friendly to the United States" And they broke the law regarding the approval of the Greek cruise. They are not peace activists these are activists of war and terror.
Bad laws are unjust laws. Using other countries passports to carry out murder is that right Marcia. Mr Mabhoud did'nt even get a fair trail. Look to yourself first. The three hundered chrildren killed in Gaza during Cast Lead will they get justice from Israel.
But make no mistake. There are other people on the flotilla they do not want you to know about: Khaled Mashaal's son in law - the head of Hamas's military wing. and former finance Minister of the Hamas terrorist government. These for sure are NOT nice peace activists ...
End the occupation and stop harassing everyone who fights against israel's oppression
Mary Hughes Thompson, co-founder of the Free Gaza Movement, wrote: “God bless you Vittorio. Your star will shine long after Zionist Israel is no more.”
•Co-coordinator Caoimhe Butterly spent 16 days in April 2002 as a “human shield” in Yasser Arafat’s compound and encourages “resistance” activities. Board of Directors member Greta Berlin is a Hamas supporter and made false statements alleging Israeli violence to the media in the wake of the May 2010 flotilla.
Reply to Grandpa. Why are you trying to accuse another person of what someone else stated. Has Ms Caoimhe lost the right to protest. Why are you so paranoia. Ms Butterly protest did'nt happen in Israel. Is the murder of nine unarmed humanitarian volunteers not a voilent act.
Are you for real?