Turkish Charity Pulls Out of Planned Gaza Flotilla

The Turkish charity that spearheaded the May 2010 Gaza aid flotilla that saw a violent clash between activists and the Israeli military has pulled out of a repeat voyage planned for this month, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The Humanitarian Relief Foundation, or IHH, said it opted out due to “technical problems” with its ship, the Mavi Marmara, stemming from damage inflicted when it was raided by Israeli commandos last year. The troops killed nine activists taking part in efforts to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

IHH denied that the decision was related to pressure from Turkish officials to delay the flotilla as Turkey and Israel, concerned about growing unrest in the Middle East, seek to stabilize relations badly damaged by the Mavi Marmara incident.

Flotilla organizers said other aid ships will sail from ports in Europe on June 25 with the goal of ending the Gaza blockade.