Press Conference Held at IHH Headquarters on the Renewed Departure of the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza

A press conference was held at the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Headquarters regarding the renewed departure of the Freedom Flotilla toward Gaza. Speaking at the event, IHH President Bülent Yıldırım emphasized that a genocide is being committed in Palestine and noted that people around the world are rising up in protest.

Bülent Yıldırım stated:
"On the 5th of the month, we will organize a major march from Hagia Sophia to Eminönü. These marches will take place not only in Istanbul, but also in Ankara and all across Türkiye. We will hold vigils in public squares. We will mobilize the entire country."

Yıldırım also highlighted that the Sumud and Freedom Flotillas are advancing toward Gaza one after another:
"Do not touch these ships — they are vessels of humanity, they are like Noah’s Ark. Following these, the Freedom Flotilla has launched 11 more ships. These ships will continue to sail, one after the other. After the Sumud, comes the Freedom Flotilla; after that, a third wave will follow. These ships will not stop."

Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Association and the Türkiye representative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, also spoke during the conference. He reminded attendees that there have been 18 previous attempts since 2008 to break the blockade on Gaza:

"We know Israel very well. It operates on a system of oppression that measures responses — and it has always feared the legitimate anger that approaches its borders. We have long believed that the only way to break the blockade is through a large-scale movement by sea. One thing we have always believed is this: no matter what, these ships will set sail. They will break the blockade, deliver humanitarian aid to the region, and stand as a powerful obstacle to Israel’s lawless oppression and disregard for borders in the region.