In the attacks that began on October 7th, the occupying Israel has massacred more than 40,000 people. The events taking place in Palestine, where the attacks by the occupiers continue, have reached the level of genocide. Speaking at a march attended by tens of thousands of supporters of Palestine against this genocide, Mavi Marmara Association President Beheşti İsmail Songür made the following statements about the Freedom Flotilla ships:

“Israel's perception of 'inaccessible Gaza' is entirely a lie. However, whenever we attempt to take action, we find ourselves facing Israel and its collaborators.

For months, we coordinated the Freedom Flotilla in various countries around the world. During this process, thousands of people became supporters of our flotilla. The Freedom Flotilla aimed to act in consultation with the governments, civil society organizations, and the people in all the countries it was located. However, in recent days, we have docked our Conscience Ship, which is part of the Freedom Flotilla, at Haydarpaşa Port. While our ship, which has completed its loading and certifications, is ready to set sail, it has been waiting at the port for 25 days due to a port exit document that takes only 15 minutes to process.”

Continuing, Songür said that if it were said that the ships were sailing for purposes other than humanitarian aid, the process would be entirely different:

“If we had said 'Our ship is going to Tel Aviv or Ashdod,' this process would have taken exactly 15 minutes.

We have been receiving many threats and searches for days. We are told that what we are doing is dangerous. We are told that there are political issues, that there is trade involved. Friends, which international agreement is Israel currently abiding by? While Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, which agreement is it abiding by? When small children are being killed, which agreements did Israel abide by, and now you are bringing some trade agreements to confront us?”

Songür emphasized that the states that provide or allow the supply of oil and energy to Israel are complicit in the crime, and continued:

“We say 'Beloved Azerbaijan,' 'Brother Azerbaijan.' The crude oil coming from Azerbaijan is transferred to Israel through the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline after passing through our country. It is refined there and used as fuel for the planes that bomb Gaza.

While trade ships from Turkey go to the Ashdod port, which is 35 kilometers away from Gaza, the fact that humanitarian aid ships cannot reach Gaza, just 35 kilometers further down, is a political disgrace.

In a place where genocide is taking place, you cannot use trade, politics, economy, or international agreements as an excuse. You must take a firm stand.”

Finally, Beheşti İsmail Songür concluded his words as follows: “From now on, no matter what happens, we will get the Freedom Flotilla out of these ports. No matter how much pressure you put on us, either do something or let us do what we have to do. But do not use us in your dirty politics.”