93 people, including 3 Turkish MPs, detained: First statement from the Foreign Ministry
93 people, including 3 Turkish members of parliament, were abducted by Israeli forces during a raid in international waters on the Freedom Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as an "act of piracy" and announced that all diplomatic initiatives have been launched to secure the release of the Turkish citizens.
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The Freedom Flotilla, which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. During the raid, a total of 93 people, including 3 Turkish members of parliament, were detained by Israel.
The targeting of this flotilla in international waters, which followed the Sumud Flotilla, has been met with backlash in Turkey and the international community.
A written statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Israel's actions. The statement described the intervention against the Freedom Flotilla as "an act of piracy committed by the genocidal Netanyahu government."
The statement included the following remarks:
“The intervention in international waters against the Freedom Flotilla, which set out to break the illegal and inhumane blockade imposed on Gaza, is an act of piracy committed by the genocidal Netanyahu government. This attack on civilian activists, including Turkish citizens and members of parliament, is a grave violation of international law.”
‘INTERNATIONAL LAW CLEARLY VIOLATED’
The Foreign Ministry statement emphasized that this Israeli intervention against civilian activists disregards international legal norms. It was stated that Israel is escalating tensions in the region by responding with violence to civilian initiatives carrying humanitarian aid.
The statement further added, “By targeting every effort that defends humanitarian values and uses peaceful methods with violence, Israel is harming efforts for lasting peace.”
INITIATIVES LAUNCHED FOR TURKISH CITIZENS
The Ministry announced that diplomatic initiatives have been launched to secure the release of the Turkish members of parliament and citizens detained by Israeli forces.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Israel had previously abducted and detained more than 450 activists from approximately 40 ships in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying aid supplies to Gaza. Most of these activists were deported from Israel, where they had been forcibly taken. Many activists reported being beaten and subjected to ill-treatment in Israel.
Israel subsequently attacked the Freedom Flotilla, which had also set sail for Gaza, and abducted 93 activists. Among the activists are 3 Turkish members of parliament.