Parliament issues declaration condemning Israel

The declaration, issued with the support of all parties represented in Parliament, called for UN sanctions against Israel and the establishment of an impartial international commission to investigate the attack, which occurred in international waters.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Güldal Mumcu read out the text of the declaration in Parliament. The declaration condemned Israel's action in strong terms and called on the international community to take a stance against Israel.

The declaration said: “The Parliament of Turkey forcefully condemns the inhumane attack of the Israeli armed forces on May 31, 2010 on a humanitarian aid flotilla comprised of citizens of 32 countries, with a majority of Turkish citizens, that led to the death or injury of a large number of innocent people. Parliament wishes those who lost their lives to rest in peace, condolences to their families and a quick recovery to all those who were injured.

• “This attack is an open violation of United Nations law and of international law.
• “This Parliament awaits the United Nations Security Council to adopt a decision immediately that condemns and imposes sanctions on Israel. An independent international commission should be set up for this loathsome attack to be investigated in all aspects.
• “The Israel government should officially apologize for this attack, make sure that those responsible for the incidents are tried and punished and pay compensation to the victims of the attack.
• “Turkey shall apply to domestic and international judicial organs against Israel.
• “Parliament expects the Turkish government to reconsider our political, military and economic relations with Israel and take the most effective measures necessary.
• “Parliament greets with respect the rightful reactions of our people shown toward this attack.
• “Parliament believes that such reactions will not turn into violence that might hurt our Jewish citizens in Turkey. The reaction shown against the Israeli government’s aggressive attitude should not target the nation of Israel.
• “Parliament continues, as always, to be in solidarity with the people of Palestine and expects the inhumane blockade of Gaza and the embargo against it to be lifted immediately.”

Rights commission to go to Israel

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Human Rights Commission is preparing to visit Israel to inspect the violations of human rights that occurred during Israel’s attack on the flotilla. The commission convened yesterday to discuss the attack, with members unanimously deciding to send a letter to human rights commissions in parliaments worldwide about the matter. The same letter will also be sent to the UN Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, according to commission head Zafer Üskül.

Üskül also said that a subcommittee of himself, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Kırklareli deputy Gökhan Sarıçam, AK Party Samsun deputy Cemal Yılmaz Demir, Republican People’s Party (CHP) İzmir deputy Ahmet Ersin and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Yozgat deputy Mehmet Ekici will go to Israel to investigate the attack.

The subcommittee will go to Israel as soon as possible. “We do not expect to encounter any security issues. We will also talk to the individuals injured in the attack,” Üskül said.

CHP deputy accused of talking with Netanyahu’s words

Meanwhile, reports said there was a brief discussion between AK Party and CHP members in the commission’s session yesterday. Sources said CHP İzmir deputy Ersin and Sivas deputy Malik Ecder Özdemir called Israel’s attack on humanitarian aid “piracy” but also accused the government of sharing fault in the matter. Ersin said: “Our government is as faulty as Israel. It has not done anything to protect its own citizens. The government should be criticized for this.” Üskül and AK Party members objected to this, and an AK Party member on the commission said, addressing Ersin, “You are talking with Netanyahu’s words.”

In the letter it sent out to world parliament commissions, the human rights commission emphasized that Israel’s attack had occurred in open seas, noting that this is a serious violation of international law. The letter also noted that the flotilla’s main purpose was to draw the international community’s attention to the isolation of Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade for 35 months, and bring humanitarian supplies to the region. The letter emphasized that attacking with weapons a group of civilians that included women and children cannot be legitimized in any way. It also noted that the detainees were mistreated by Israeli forces, another violation of international law.

The letter appeals to human rights commissions in other countries’ parliaments to join Turkey in condemning the unacceptable actions of Israel.