U.S. Congress members to Turkey's Erdogan: Stop Gaza flotilla
36 members of the U.S. House sign letter addressed to Turkish PM urging him to stop another attempt 'to provoke a confrontation with Israel.'
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Israel news Turkey USMembers of the U.S. Congress issued a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in which they urge Turkey's premier to stop the departure of another flotilla to the Gaza Strip.
"We write today to express our serious concern over reports that the so-called Free Gaza Movement and the IHH are planning to send another flotilla to Gaza in the coming weeks to provoke a confrontation with Israel", read a signed letter by 36 members of Congress initiated by Rep. Steve Israel.
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The Mavi Marmara, aboard which Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla resulted in the deaths of 9 Turkish activists May 22, 2010 |
| Photo by: AP |
"As members of the United States House of Representatives we ask you to help discourage these efforts and work with the Israeli government in a productive way as it continues to allow legitimate aid, but not weapons, to enter Gaza."
The letter further stressed that the Israeli government has "a right and responsibility" to protect its people, emphasizing that the "threat facing Israel by weapons smuggled into Gaza is real."
Congress members urged Erdogan to stop the flotilla from departing in order to prevent another confrontation such as last May's from happening again.
"If flotilla organizers carry out their confrontational plans, the Israelis will have little choice but to board the vessels and search for weapons. We fear violence could erupt just as it did last year," the letter warned.
The letter signatories expressed hope that the Turkish government will work out with Israel an alternative way to allow "legitimate humanitarian assistance" into Gaza.
"By finding a constructive solution as an alternative to another flotilla, you have a unique opportunity to potentially save lives and be a force for stability at a particularly volatile time," the letter concluded.
Meanwhile, Turkey's Erdogan said in an interview with U.S. television late Wednesday that Hamas is not a terror organization but a political party. He also said the recently penned Palestinian reconciliation agreement was an essential step toward Mideast peace.
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no more illegal blockade on Gaza give back our taxes you thieves.
Obviously Israel consideres the Hamas a threat, even after the unity of them and Fatah. They have the right to defend their country and there are better ways to send air to gaza. Get an outside party to inspect the cargo and take to Gaza.
This man is clearly a two faced idiot. On one hand he wants to be part of Nato and have the benefits of working with the West. On the other hand he descends into anarchy by embracing Iranian moves to bring violence and instability to the Middle East. Israel supplies countless truckloads of goods into Gaza at its own expense as an occupation force under international law. On the other hand Hamas confiscates much of it and sells it on the black market to fund its weapons acquisitions. Gaza will remain blockaded because Hamas has not renounced violence and does not recognize Israels right to exist. Israel does exist but Hamas does not accept that it should exist. Why would anyone work with an organization that literraly would pull a trigger and murder every man, woman and child in Israel if it could. The only thing that prevents that from happening is Israel's military superiority. Thankfully it does have military superiority. Erdogan has destroyed a relationship which many Turks valued just to jump on the Jihadist bandwagon.
it makes one wonder what power he does have. This is no random citizen voyage, it is an operation to provoke a military and create an international incident. This, like last year's, is personally controlled by Erdogan. The IDF must make sure that every second of this encounter is professionally filmed and narrated as it happens. The Islamists are pretty good at selective editing.
He is bad for Turkey, for Turkish people and for advancement of peace in ME.
Erdogan has now elections. He wants to impression his electors by a sensational act !!He will surely send his flotilla and look for a provocation becoming the HERO of the Islamic world. He is an incorrigible dreamer thinking to become the Calif of all musulmans !!!
It's better to become a hero by sending a freedom flotilla with civilians from all over the world to Gaza than become a hero by bombing the most populated area of the world and building settlements for a bunch of extremists.
Well we can clearly see why AIPAC chose him for this misson, right? And why are the americans picking on turkey when there are boats who will be sailing under a us flag?
Because they are tyring to avoid what could turn into a complete travesty.....unless you would like to see thousands of innocent civilians die...
I hope that the Turkish government still has some sense left...although, after calling HAMAS a political party, I see little hope.
Well, US Americans were never known for diplomatic courtesy, anyway.
his idea is our heart. israel broke our heart. so mavi marmara ship will go to gaza again and again and again. no stopping , contiune to road.
Dear Yilmaz If a ship pretending bringing aid to your PKK terroristss comes to Istanbul without the autorisation of your Govenment will be treated according International Maritime Law ! Israel beeing a sovereign state is behaving according this Law,By the way why dont you join this ship !! Maybe you will become a SAHIT and fulfill the idea of your heart ! Selamlar (Shalom)
Can they be any more revolting and clueless?
Just imagine what will happen if turks arm and train the pals army if they gain independance.
Here, take a couple million bucks and shut up already.
They're going to invade Turkey too?
What do the congressmen want when they ask for "a constructive solution". They say what should not be done but never what should be done. Dear Messrs Congressmen, Please tell us how we can free Palestine? Regards, PINUK
The US has told you what to do; you just refuse to do it!
Trying to avoid more stupid flotillas. The people in gaza doesnt starve. They have big shopping malls filled with stuff. Also they dont seem to have any lack of cash. Otherwise they would not by qassams before food right?
Of course Vlad, Gaza is like Dubai but instead of Versace and YSL boutiques there's huge malls filled with qassams, rpgs and AKs. What i prefer in Gaza it's the McQassam drive, you can take weapons without leaving your car.