Erdogan stresses need to end Gaza blockade

During an official visit to Serbia on Monday, 12th July, the Turkish Prime Minister reaffirmed that his country will continue its pursuit of an apology and compensation for the families of those killed aboard the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ in May. Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stressed that Turkey continues to demand an end to the unjust blockade of the Gaza Strip. Speaking at a press conference in Belgrade alongside the Serbian leader, Mirko Cvetkovic, Mr. Erdogan placed particular emphasis on the need to “lift the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip”.

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Commenting on the massacre perpetrated by the Israeli Navy against the humanitarians aboard the flotilla, Mr. Erdogan said, “This was an inhumane act which may be described quite simply as barbaric. As such, we demand and expect an apology, we also anticipate that the families of those killed will be given compensation. Finally, we demand to see the doors to the Gaza Strip opened and the embargo lifted in accordance with the framework of the Charter of Human Rights. This is our demand which we insist upon until the end.”

The Turkish PM’s remarks came just hours before an official Israeli report into the flotilla attack was released. The report, based on the findings of a military committee led by the retired Israeli General Giora Eiland (who is himself accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity), confirmed that Israel has no intention of formally apologising to Turkey and rejected calls for an international inquiry into the attack.

Source: The Palestinian Information Centre