Since Israel's attack on the Freedom Flotilla Monday morning, much
media focus has been placed on the activists and organizations on-board
the boats. One such organization is the Turkey-based Foundation for
Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH).
IHH sponsored the Mavi Marmara, the largest of nine boats trying to
bring approximately 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the one
on which the violence that left nine people dead took place.
An Islamic organization, IHH was formed in 1994 in response to the war
in Bosnia. It provides shelter, clothing, food and various other
necessities to individuals in conflict or natural disaster zones. IHH
is presently involved in humanitarian aid projects in over 120
countries, including Ethiopia, Haiti, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Palestine.
Following the attack on the Mavi Marmara, Israeli Deputy Foreign
Minister Daniel Ayalon was quoted as saying that "the [IHH] organizers
are well-known for their ties to global Jihad, Al-Qaeda and Hamas. They
have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror… The organizers'
intent was violent, their method was violent, and unfortunately, the
results were violent."
Despite these claims, however, IHH is not on the U.S. State
Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. In fact, the
Department has stated that the supposed links between IHH and Al-Qaeda
"can't be validated."
IHH leaders have also vehemently denied having any links to terrorist organizations or extremist groups.
In 2005, IHH was designated by the Turkish General Directorate of
Foundations as the foundation that uses its resources in the most
efficient way. The Turkish Parliament also awarded IHH with the
Parliamentary Award of Honor in 2007.
IHH has had Special Consultative Status with the United Nations
Economic and Social Council (ESOCO) since 2004. It is also affiliated
with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the United Nations,
the Council of International Organizations for Relief in Iraq and the
Union of NGOs of the Islamic World.
Notwithstanding, in 2008, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak outlawed
IHH – along with 35 other associations and foundations – for allegedly
supporting Union of the Good, an umbrella organization which provides
money and other aid to groups purportedly affiliated to Hamas.
In January 2010, however, IHH partnered with Viva Palestina – a charity
led by British politician George Galloway which aims to bring food,
medicine and essential goods to Gaza – and helped bring over 150
vehicles loaded with humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian
territory.
IHH was also responsible for shipping over 40 vehicles that Egyptian
authorities did not allow into Gaza with the aforementioned convoy to
Palestinian refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon.
In an interview with Islamic News published on 2 March 2010, Durmush
Aydin, IHH's Vice President for International Relations, explained that
the organization has been involved with Palestinian solidarity projects
for many years.
"We worked in Gaza, even during the war, under the bombs," Aydin is quoted as saying in the article.
This past April, Izzet Sahin, IHH's representative in the West Bank,
was arrested near Bethlehem. He remained in Israeli custody for 20 days
before being released with few details as to why he was imprisoned.
Veysel Basar, a member of the IHH Board, held a press conference on May
31st at IHH headquarters in Istanbul in response to the Israeli attack
on the Mavi Marmara.
"Israel is now carrying out “terror of information” following the act
of “armed terror” they carried out this morning by brutally attacking
our friends," said Basar, according to a press conference transcript
posted on IHH's makeshift website.
IHH has been using Facebook, Twitter and various blogs to provide
information since the Free Gaza flotilla was attacked because members
state that they have been unable to access the organization's original
website.
In the same press release, Basar explained that the Mavi Marmara boat
was thoroughly inspected by Irish, Turkish and Greek customs
authorities and that all necessary procedures were taken before leaving
the port for Gaza.
"The attack on our ships has once again shown that Israel does not want
peace in the region. Besides, it does everything to still justify and
continue its bloodthirsty actions. We are much more determined to free
Palestine than Israel is determined to shed blood,” he said.
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