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İHH protests Israel's participation in LDC conference
The İHH was the chief sponsor of an aid flotilla that became the victim of a lethal Israeli raid in which Israeli soldiers killed nine civilians on May 31 of last year. The group is planning another, larger flotilla with its partners in European states to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza in breach of what it calls Israel's “illegal naval blockade.”
Also gathered in front of the Harbiye Military Museum in İstanbul, İsmail Yılmaz, the founder of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, said the group is concerned about how Israel could positively contribute to eradicating poverty in neighboring countries. “The Zionist state of Israel, which has filled the world with bloodshed for the sake of its interests all around the world, is the chief party responsible for poverty and tears in the world,” Yılmaz said.
Claiming that Israel is exploiting the resources of poor countries, Yılmaz said Israel is blocking the development of these countries and Palestine, which have the resources to develop themselves.
Pointing to the blockade of Gaza, Yılmaz said this embargo is a black spot in world history. “All Gazans are being kept in an open-air prison. The top priority of the UN is to lift the embargo,” he said.
The İHH urged Turkish authorities to cancel Israel's invitation and requested the government to expel any Israeli official who comes to the conference.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said last week that Israel and Armenia, two countries that have problematic relations with Turkey, will not attend the UN Conference on the LDCs in İstanbul.
Israel and Armenia, both invited by the UN to attend the summit, said they would not send political delegations to the gathering, Foreign Ministry spokesman Selçuk Ünal told a news conference on Friday. The two countries would, however, attend the summit, due to take place on May 9-13, only at the technical level, he added.
“If they had any honor, they would not come to a country whose citizens they have killed,” Yılmaz said.
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