Mavi Marmara victims commemorated in Turkey

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Some 200 people gathered outside Israel’s embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara on May 28 to mark the sixth anniversary of the deadly attack on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara aid flotilla.

The humanitarian aid ship was attempting to pass the blockade of Gaza in May 31, 2010 when nine Turkish activists were killed after Israeli forces stormed the vessel. A tenth died in hospital four years later.  
      
The Ankara Platform of Faith Freedom organized the commemoration ceremony with other NGOs, including Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH).      
  
During the ceremony, people prayed, carried Palestinians flags and chanted slogans against Israel.  
      
Soner Kartal, spokesman for the Ankara Platform, claimed the Mavi Marmara attack was not just aimed at the Turkish people or state, saying “it was aimed at Muslims.”

Relations between the two countries were seriously damaged in the aftermath of the incident.  
     
Ankara demanded an apology and compensation for the families of those killed, as well as the removal of the blockade on Gaza.  

Talks between the two countries have been going on in order to restore the relationships.

A rally was also organized by the İHH in Istanbul’s Taksim Square on May 28 to mark the day with the participation of hundreds of protesters. 

“Killer Israel, get out of Palestine,” the group chanted during the rally entitled the “Free Jerusalem Rally.”