Without minimizing the suffering and loss of the Gaza population, it is also necessary to point out a few facts that might dim the enthusiasm of supporters of the fleet of ships sailing to Gaza with "humanitarian supplies," at least among decent people.
In a typical week, 15,000 tons of Israeli humanitarian aid supplies enter Gaza. Truckloads of meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, milk powder, baby food, wheat and other supplies arrive in Gaza daily. Building materials are also shipped in, when monitored by International organizations so that it is not commandeered by Hamas for the fortification of bunkers. (source ) That is, in a week, Israel sends more aid to Gaza than is contained in the 10,000 tons of the so-called humanitarian aid flotilla.
The ships sailing from Turkey to Gaza are sponsored by the Turkish organization for Human Rights, Liberties, and Humanitarian Relief (IHH). What does the nature of this group tell us about the "humanitarian" purpose of the voyage? A recent Israeli report pointed out that the launching of the flotilla was attended by Hamas personnel and other extremists, but we already know that Hamas and IHH work closely together. If you like the flotilla, chances are you think Hamas is an innocuous humanitarian group too. More interesting, perhaps, are the previous connections of IHH, revealed by foreign sources.
In 2006, a Danish study by Evan F. Kohlmann reported:
Turkish authorities began their own domestic criminal investigation of IHH as early as December 1997, when sources revealed that leaders of IHH were purchasing automatic weapons from other regional Islamic militant groups.43 IHH’s bureau in Istanbul was thoroughly searched, and its local officers were arrested. Security forces uncovered an array of disturbing items, including firearms, explosives, bomb-making instructions, and a “jihad flag.” After analyzing seized IHH documents, Turkish authorities concluded that “detained members of IHH were going to fight in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Chechnya.”44
According to a French intelligence report, the terrorist infiltration of IHH extended to its most senior ranks. The report, written by famed counterterrorism magistrate Jean-Louis Bruguiere, revealed that IHH President Bulent Yildrim had directly conspired in the mid-1990s to “recruit veteran soldiers in anticipation of the coming holy war [jihad]. In particular, some men were sent into war zones in Muslim countries in order to acquire combat experience.”45
Furthermore, in the hopes of “obtaining political support from these countries, financial aid was transferred [on behalf of IHH], as well as caches of firearms, knives, and pre-fabricated explosives.”46 An examination of IHH’s phone records in Istanbul showed repeated telephone calls in 1996 to an Al-Qaida guesthouse in Milan and various Algerian terrorist operatives active elsewhere in Europe – including the notorious Abu el-Ma`ali, who has been subsequently termed by U.S. officials as a “junior Osama Bin Laden.”47
At a USA trial, Brugiere testified:
The IHH is an NGO, but it was kind of a type of cover-up… in order to obtain forged documents and also to obtain different forms of infiltration for Mujahideen in combat. And also to go and gather[recruit] these Mujahideens. And finally, one of the last responsibilities that they had was also to be implicated or involved in weapons trafficking.48
According to the Danish report, IHH was later involved in supplying arms to Sunni terrorists in Iraq. More recently, they have developed close relations with Hamas and Hezbollah. Is it any wonder that Israel would not allow an organization that smuggles arms to Al Qaeda to send an uninspected cargo of "humanitarian aid" to Gaza? These are the sort of "humanitarians" who would do less harm as vegetarians.
Ami Isseroff
Original content is Copyright by the author 2010. Posted at ZioNation-Zionism and Israel Web Log, https://zionism-israel.com/log/archives/00000740.html where your intelligent and constructive comments are welcome. Disributed by ZNN list. Subscribe by sending a message to . Please forward by e-mail with this notice, cite this article and link to it. Other uses by permission only.
Replies: 10 Comments
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freedom, Thursday, June 17th
Actually, we all love peace. Let's make it happen between all religion in this world, wether you are Moslem or Jew or Christian or Buddist or Hindus. Peace to all of us.
, Sunday, June 6th
everyone who not supporting israel is a terrorist and extremists.. blahblahblah..
haha, Tuesday, June 1st
@NAZIONISM
Ah, you probably still blame the Russians for not supplying Paulus' army back in 1943.
, Tuesday, June 1st
Has anyone managed to find a link or independant reference to the original french security report? It would be interesting to read it first hand, considering it seems to be the only reference in support of IHH:s radical ties
simply curious, Monday, May 31st
its typical zionist excuse. try to turn around the fact. try to put blame on IHH but the world is wise enough to understand the truth. what right do zionists have to blockade gaza? its just what zionist learned from their past gettho experience, now zionists used same method to crack down palestine people moral and spirit. my point is your zionism propaganda in your writing here in this website will not lead you anywhere but humiliation...your NAZIONISM will be at its end soon...
, Monday, May 31st
yes zionism is truly new age nazism ad apartheid
, Monday, May 31st
@Anti-zionist
The only thing your allah has brought you so far is poverty, poverty and again poverty.
If you want to find the true islam, let your eyes follow the blood tracks and your nose follow the smell of dead bodies.....
, Monday, May 31st
yes You are right...
This world today is occupied and governed by the Zionist. a group of Jew who HATE Islam .
Even those leaders in the west are not what you think..
yes again we need a world without Zionism
Does Typing Israel below make us Zionists
GOD Kill the Zionists
Cordona, Monday, May 31st
That is what Zionism Means. You have taught us how bad and EVIL zionism is and How it should be our obligation to prevent it spreading from Palestine to all Middle East.
Zionism means: Slavery, Sanctions, Killing People, occupying land, confiscating land, Millitary supremacy, Stealing organs, detaining and abusing children....etc.
May ALLAH Thwart thier intentions..
Go to HellZionism.... We NEEd a WORLD free from Zionism
AntiZionist, Monday, May 31st
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