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Israel asks Turkey to stop new flotilla

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The Turkish Hurriyet newspaper reported yesterday that Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, Gabby Levy made a request in writing to the Turkish government, asking it to act to prevent the sailing of an additional flotilla to Gaza. A new flotilla has been scheduled to set sail next month. Among the chief organisers is the Turkish IHH group, which was also among the leaders of the last flotilla. Levy, speaking to Hurriyet, stressed that Israel has no objection to the legal transfer of aid to Gaza, via the Turkish Red Cross or other similar organisations. He noted that the crossing was open, and that a flotilla therefore constituted a ‘pure provocation.’

Following the violence involved in the IDF operation to stop last year’s flotilla, Israel has shifted the focus to diplomatic efforts to prevent a new convoy of ships to Gaza. These efforts have mostly remained behind the scenes, but were paramount in talks held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin last week.

Last week, head of the IHH, Bülent Yildirim announced that the Marmara, the convoy ship that on 31 May 2010 Israeli commandos boarded and were ambushed, will take part in the new flotilla. He noted that the vessel will depart from Europe and carry artists, journalists and politicians. The organisers claim that more than 15 vessels are slated to take part in the new flotilla.