We all remember what happened to the first flotilla in 2010, that they never made it to Gaza and instead attacked Israel when they were boarded. So what does Erdogan think is going to happen this time even if he sends the Turkish Navy for protection? Netanyahu may have been forced to apologize for the last incident even though it wasn’t Israel’s fault, but I doubt he’s going to allow anything to get to the coast of Gaza.
JERUSALEM POST – Amid Israel’s Operation Protective Edge to stop Hamas attacks from Gaza, a “Freedom Flotilla” is being organized in Turkey to bring humanitarian aid to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian coastal enclave with the protection of the Turkish military, according to an unconfirmed media report.
The flotilla, called “Freedom Flotilla II,” is being organized by the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), the same organization that was behind the Mavi Marmara flotilla that sought to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip in May 2010.
Israel Navy commandos boarded the ship, were attacked, and killed nine of the attackers.
IHH chairman Bulent Yildrim was quoted by The Middle East Monitor as telling Gulf Online last week that the activists would set sail as soon as they receive the necessary permit from the authorities in Ankara and that the Turkish military would provide protection to the ship.
Diplomatic officials said Jerusalem was following the reports carefully, but stressed that it was not clear whether the flotilla would ultimately set sail.
So far there has only been a declaration of intent, with no firm date set, one official said.