I met Cevdet Kılıçlar when I was in college. He was one of the most cordial Muslims I ever met. A positive man, who loved to help people around, altruistic for sure, and liked his job of photo-journalism (some of his photos can be found here). It is after midnight now, hard to stop tears. His funeral is tomorrow after the Friday prayer. It will probably become a grand Islamic demonstration as he was a beloved one. Not because of his militancy but because of inherent kindness he had. Not many Islamists have that… Cevdet abi, rest in peace.

Journalists Returned from Israel – İHH Employee Dead

Furkan Doğan was 19, 4 bullets found in his head…. May his soul rest in peace. via

Turkey honors slain activists, including US teen

Putting Names To Faces

A brief introduction to the nine Turkish people shot dead on 31 May 2010, by Israeli soldiers who attacked the Turkish vessel M.V. Mavi Marmara, as it attempted to transport humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip.

Resolution from UNHRC

In a major blow for Israel, the United Nations Human Rights Council today passed a resolution condemning Israel?s decision to launch an armed raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla. The UNHRC has called for a Goldstone-like inquiry into the deadly military operation. During a debate in Geneva, the 47-member UNHRC passed the resolution with a majority vote of 32. The US voted against the move, while several European countries abstained from the voting. In the resolution, the UNHRC accuses Israel of violating international law and asked Israel to lift Israel?s blockade on Gaza immediately.

Mavi Boncuk|

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations System. The UNHRC is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR, herein CHR), and is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly. The council works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and engages the United Nations’ Special Procedures.

Accounts of Turkish returnees reveal Israeli mistreatment

Flotilla attack – Sarah Colborne gives eyewitness account

http://www.counterfire.org
Sarah Colborne was on the boat attacked by Israeli commandos.
Full account from today’s press conference organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Thousands in Turkey Mourn Victims of Israeli Raid

Israel-Turkey-United States: Gaza?s global moment , Paul Rogers

The Israeli special-forces assault in the early hours of 31 May 2010 on the leading ship of a humanitarian-aid convoy sailing towards the Gaza strip was intended to be a robust statement of national policy. Instead, the deadly commando-raid – in which nine of the on-board activists were killed and thirty wounded – has sparked an international diplomatic crisis with profound implications.

Global: Protests In Support of the Freedom Flotilla Continue

By Jillian C. York

In the days following the Israel Defense Forces raid on the Mavi Marmara that left nine dead and numerous others wounded, the world has seen an outpouring of support for Gaza.  Several countries, including Turkey, Ecuador, and  South Africa, have recalled their ambassadors to Israel, while still others have called for investigations of the events by a neutral party.  Nicaragua went a step further, cutting off diplomatic ties with Israel.

Gaza blockade: What is needed is an Armada of ships and boats, similar to that which sailed in 1940 from England to France to help defeat Nazi tyranny.

There is little more I can say about Israel’s act of piracy which left 10 aid workers dead and many more injured. Sadly it has become clear over recent years, the oppression and suffering of the Palestine people has failed to touch the hearts of the Western political elite. After each murderous outrage committed by the state of Israel against the Palestinians and others, all we get from our government Ministers is hollow words of sympathy for Israel’s victims; and then they go back to offering aid and substance to the Israeli State.

Peace and security are still not the same thing

Given that the Hamas government in Gaza considers itself to be at war with Israel, it is hardly surprising that Israel seeks to enforce an arms embargo against Gaza. All the complaints about an Israeli violation of international law in stopping and searching the aid flotilla need to acknowledge the need to prevent rockets being fired over the border at the Israeli town of Sderot.

Turkey’s Surprisingly Muted Flotilla Reaction

The government in Ankara flayed Israel for the flotilla raid. But it could have been much worse.

Ankara’s assertiveness shifts balance of power

TURKEY?S NEW TASK: LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS

Country-wide Demonstrations against the Attack on the Flotilla

In recent days thousands demonstrated throughout Israel against the siege on Gaza and the murderous attack on the flotilla.

Tens of demonstrators waited for the kidnapped ships in Ashdod port, hundreds protested in Haifa, Be?er Sheva and Jerusalem, and thousands more rallied in Tel Aviv. Several activists were arrested. The demonstrations, parallel to ones in Palestinian villages, were largely ignored by Israeli media, which is attempting to portray a full consensus in society. Mainstream media is referring to the flotilla as a terrorist mission that violently attacked soldiers who were simply enforcing a legal maritime blockade.

Turkey’s Calculated Concern

Turkey and the United States

Steven Cook’s Foreign Policyessay on Turkey as a “frenemy” of the United States is making the rounds … Ben Katcher at the Washington Note argues that there are still some significant areas of cooperation.

I’ve added this comment:

Turkey: Can Turkish-Israeli relations be rebuilt?

By Deborah Ann Dilley

As the world watched the events that happened on board the Turkish-led ?Gaza Freedom Flotilla? it was also witnessing the deterioration of political relations between the governments of Turkey and Israel. Anger at the Israeli government is palpable in Turkey, and returning activists are being greeted by officials among hero fan-fare. As we evaluate the repercussions of these events within Turkey, the question must be asked: Can Turkish-Israeli relations be rebuilt?

Maghreb: Views on Freedom Flotilla’s Unfolding Drama

By Hisham

Reactions to the Israeli raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla still reverberate across the world, not least among Maghreb bloggers who have been commenting on unfolding events.

Israel: Fighting the #Flotilla Digital War

By Gilad Lotan

The global impact that social media and the real time web had as this story evolved is undeniable. From Twitter to Facebook and onto active forums and talkback threads, the battleground has shifted from the Mediterranean to a digital cacophony of data. It is a battle over the truth, a war over the validity of facts, who is right and what is wrong. Who can get more attention to their version of the story, and who can take down the other’s site. Choosing a side is as easy as joining a Facebook group. Showing one’s support is as simple as ReTweeting a post or sharing a status update.

MENA: Israel will have to Choose

By Amira Al Hussaini

Condemnations are flying left, right, and centre after Israel attacked a Turkish-led flotilla headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and break the blockade on the Palestinian enclave.

Morning Brief: Obama administration wants change of Israel’s Gaza blockade policy

from FP Passport by David Kenner

Israel and the Turkish Factor

By Patricia H. Kushlis

Public diplomacy needs to be credible to be believed. It may not tell the whole truth ? but lies are not part of it. That?s strategic communications ? a military term that mixes deliberate falsehoods, misinformation and disinformation with selected facts and images to sway public opinion. Strategic communications with all its warts, not public diplomacy which does not lie, is what the Israelis have been dishing out to the world since May 31. It can also come back to bite them.