IHH (Turkish NGO): Difference between revisions
→Activities: updated with news on the flotilla's tragic takeover |
|||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
In late May [[2010]], the IHH participated in an 8 ship [[Gaza flotilla|flotilla]] to the [[Gaza Strip]] in order to break the [[Gaza Strip blockade]] imposed by [[Israel]]. According to the IHH, the ships carry 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people of Gaza. The [[Israel Defense Forces]] [[Israel Sea Corps|Navy]] was ordered to prevent the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip. <ref> Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon, |
In late May [[2010]], the IHH participated in an 8 ship [[Gaza flotilla|flotilla]] to the [[Gaza Strip]] in order to break the [[Gaza Strip blockade]] imposed by [[Israel]]. According to the IHH, the ships carry 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people of Gaza. The [[Israel Defense Forces]] [[Israel Sea Corps|Navy]] was ordered to prevent the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip. <ref> Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon, |
||
[http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=176460 Fate of Gaza flotilla remains vague], [[Jerusalem Post]], 25.5.2010</ref> Shortly after midnight May 31, the Israeli navy circled the IHH ship in international waters some 90 miles from the Israeli coast, and ordered it to turn back. The flotilla continued southward on a more westerly course. A few hours later, between 430 and 440 local time, IDF |
[http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=176460 Fate of Gaza flotilla remains vague], [[Jerusalem Post]], 25.5.2010</ref> Shortly after midnight May 31, the Israeli navy circled the IHH ship in international waters some 90 miles from the Israeli coast, and ordered it to turn back. The flotilla continued southward on a more westerly course. A few hours later, between 430 and 440 local time, IDF soldiers boarded the flotilla which refused to turn back focusing on the IHH ship. The Israeli soldiers were attacked with weapon and few of them were severely injured. While self defnsing themselves and during the fight some of the activists and the soldiers were hurt. The As of midday May 31, nearly 20 passengers were reported dead by the IHH. |
||
== Controversy == |
== Controversy == |
||
Revision as of 10:14, 31 May 2010
IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation (The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief), is an international Turkish NGO acting in more than hundred countries all over the world. Officially established in 1995, IHH provides humanitarian relief into areas of war and conflict.It has consultative membership status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Background
The foundation was established during the war in Bosnia to help war victims. After the war, IHH continued its activities in other regions with permanent activities.
Activities
IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation have social, cultural activities beside health services. The foundation runs Africa Cataract Project since 2007 in ten African countiries.
In late May 2010, the IHH participated in an 8 ship flotilla to the Gaza Strip in order to break the Gaza Strip blockade imposed by Israel. According to the IHH, the ships carry 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people of Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces Navy was ordered to prevent the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip. [1] Shortly after midnight May 31, the Israeli navy circled the IHH ship in international waters some 90 miles from the Israeli coast, and ordered it to turn back. The flotilla continued southward on a more westerly course. A few hours later, between 430 and 440 local time, IDF soldiers boarded the flotilla which refused to turn back focusing on the IHH ship. The Israeli soldiers were attacked with weapon and few of them were severely injured. While self defnsing themselves and during the fight some of the activists and the soldiers were hurt. The As of midday May 31, nearly 20 passengers were reported dead by the IHH.
Controversy
In 2006, the Danish Institute for International Studies published a report titled "The Role of Islamic Charities in International Terrorist Recruitment and Financing", by conservative American analyst Evan Kohlman. Kohlman claimed that major international Islamic charities such as IHH, while providing genuine humanitarian relief, also occasionally serve as fronts and liaison with Islamic militants and terror groups. In particular, Kohlman blamed IHH for assisting the Iraqi Sunni insurgency, and mentioned a 1997 raid in which police found weapons, explosives and bomb-making instructions in the IHH headquarter in Istanbul.[2] Apparently, Kohlman's theory about IHH has not gained traction, since IHH remains a legal organization everywhere except Israel, which banned it in 2008.
With the advent of the May 2010 Gaza flotilla in which IHH played a key role, Kohlman's report was rediscovered by the Israeli think tank Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. Their May 26 text on IHH, [3] based mostly upon Kohlman's report, was repeated over the next few days with minor variations by the Israeli press and by Israeli government spokespersons.[4]
IHH organizer Izzet Sahin was arrested by Israeli forces in 2010 in the West Bank. The fact of his arrest was initially gagged by the Israeli security services. Sahin was later deported without charges.[5]
External links
References
<references>
- ^ Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon, Fate of Gaza flotilla remains vague, Jerusalem Post, 25.5.2010
- ^ Evan F. Kohlmann, [1] The Role of Islamic Charities in International Terrorisr Recrruitment and Financing (PDF file), International Studies Danish Institute
- ^ IHH ties with Islamist Terrorism, Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
- ^ Amir Buchboot,הארגון שעומד מאחורי המשט – מסייע לטרור ("The organization behind the flotilla aids terrorism"), nrg Maariv, 30.5.2010 (Hebrew, last retrived on 30.5.2010).
- ^ Turkish charity worker arrested in West Bank, BBC News