Erdogan Criticizes Group Behind 2010 Gaza Flotilla

Two days after Turkey announced its reconciliation agreement with Israel, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan went on the offensive against the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, the organization behind the May 2010 flotilla to Gaza Strip that sparked the crisis between Jerusalem and Ankara. “Did you ask me before you set sail? Did you ask my permission?” Erdogan said, Haaretz reports.

Speaking late on June 29 during an iftar dinner at the presidential complex in Ankara, Erdoğan said the flotilla organizers did not ask for permission from him back when he was a prime minister before a diplomatic crisis erupted between Turkey and Israel, Daily Sabah reports.

On June 28, IHH, Humanitarian Relief Foundation, criticized the deal saying it amounted to the acceptance of the Israeli blockade.

“We were already delivering the same amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but without making an appearance. Now we have Israel’s promise, all aid supplies to Gaza will be permitted from now on,” Erdoğan said.

The president said a ship carrying 11,000 tons of humanitarian aid is being readied to send from Turkey to Gaza this Friday and sending these relief supplies will be a routine afterward.