In remembrance of Mavi Marmara victims, AMP encourages supporters to activism

(CHICAGO 05/31/2011) – One year ago today, Israeli commandos rappelled from helicopters onto the deck of the Mavi Marmara in international waters and murdered nine unarmed activists, who were taking tons of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians of Gaza. Of the nine deceased, six – including Turkish-American Furkan Dogan – were killed “execution style” by being shot at “point blank range,” according to a September 2010 report by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

(CHICAGO 05/31/2011) – One year ago today, Israeli commandos rappelled from helicopters onto the deck of the Mavi Marmara in international waters and murdered nine unarmed activists, who were taking tons of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians of Gaza. Of the nine deceased, six – including Turkish-American Furkan Dogan – were killed “execution style” by being shot at “point blank range,” according to a September 2010 report by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Today, the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) remembers the nine who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Palestine: Cetin Topcuoglu, Fahri Yaldiz, Ali Haydar Bengi, Cengiz Akyüz, Cengiz Songur, Furkan Dogan, Ibrahim Bilgen, Necdet Yildirim, and Cevdet Kiliçlar.

The United States’ reaction was “circumspect, if not muted,” according to a June 2010 report by the independent, non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS). The White House issued a statement saying the “President expressed deep regret at the loss of life,” but did nothing to hold Israel accountable for its egregious violations of international law. However, there was “near-universal international condemnation of Israel’s actions,” the report said.

Within two weeks, on June 14, 2010, the Council of the European Union adopted a resolution that condemned Israel’s use of violence, called for an immediate investigation with international participation and for the free flow of humanitarian aid, goods and people into and from Gaza. Other international actions included:

• UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the violence and called for a full investigation.
• The UN Human Rights Council voted to launch an independent, international investigation, despite a negative vote from the United States.
• The UN Security Council – under pressure from the United States and Israel –issued a “compromise statement,” that condemned “the acts, which resulted in the loss of at least
• 10 civilians and many wounded,” and also called for a “transparent investigation conforming to international standards, according to a the CRS report.
• British Prime Minister David Cameron called the actions “unacceptable” and called for an end to the blockade.
• French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned the “disproportionate use of force.” South Africa and Ecuador recalled their ambassadors from Israel.
• Nicaragua broke off relations.

The Marmara was just one of six vessels in international waters the Israeli navy illegally commandeered that night. More than 700 passengers were arrested. The Israeli navy took them, the ships and 10 tons of humanitarian aid to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The activists were then detained for several days.

The fleet was part of the Freedom Flotilla, an effort created by the Free Gaza Movement in attempts to break Israel’s total siege on Gaza, which began in June 2007.

AMP believes these nine people and their sacrifice for Palestine should never be forgotten. We must honor these victims – as well as all those who have fallen victim to Israeli aggression – by continuing to work for justice in Palestine.

Our activism is even more important now that Egypt has opened the Rafah border crossing, because while this may ease the siege, it has not ended it. Commercial goods are not allowed to enter or leave via Rafah. They must use border crossings within Israel and are still subjected to bans imposed by the occupier, according to media reports. The Rafah opening will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Fridays and holidays, a Ma’an News article said. And Palestinian men ages 18 to 40 still need to apply for permits in order to cross the border.

The American Muslims for Palestine calls on Congress and President Barack Obama to hold Israel accountable for its deadly actions against the nine Mavi Marmara passengers. AMP also calls for an end to the blockade of Gaza as well as the cessation of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian people.

AMP urges its supporters and all people of conscience become involved in making a difference by the forwarding this statement to your friends and asking them to sign up for AMP’s email list, and by participating in the national dialogue by actively posting comments on online news sites. Join AMP’s media team by email [email protected]. Put ‘media team’ in the subject line.