Jerusalem, une 02: Israel has deported more than 120 activists who were detained after a raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, while as many as 300 activists from Turkey have been released to be flown home.
Israel’s commando raid on international aid ships on Monday left at least nine activists dead, prompting international criticism and fresh calls to lift its blockade of Gaza. Israel has defended its military action and says the blockade is necessary for its security.
A group of about 124 activists crossed into Jordan before sunrise, CBC’s Margaret Evans said Wednesday. Unconfirmed reports suggest at least one of the three Canadians who had been detained was aboard a bus that was sent to Jordan, Evans said.
Many of the nearly 700 activists aboard the six-ship flotilla were from Turkey, and the raid has put a strain on ties between Turkey and Israel.
It’s believed four of the activists killed in the clashes were from Turkey. Turkey’s prime minister accused Israel of a “bloody massacre” and Turkey’s foreign minister has called for an international commission to investigate the raid.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country will review its ties with Israel if all Turks are not released by the end of the day, The Associated Press reported.
The bulk of the remaining activists are expected to be deported by the end of the day, Evans said, noting that the Turkish government has sent planes to take people home.
“It’s unlikely, though, that the controversy about what has happened on the seas off the coast of Gaza is going to disappear along with the deportees,” Evans said.
The details of what happened during the military raid are still not clear. Israel has said its soldiers acted in self-defence after meeting violent resistance but the activists have disputed Israel’s claims.
UN Security Council calls for inquiry On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement calling for a prompt and impartial inquiry into the raid. The statement also said the current situation in Gaza was “not sustainable.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton supported a United Nations Security Council statement that condemned the “acts” that cost the lives of the pro-Palestinian activists off the Gaza coast. But U.S. officials did not say whether they blamed Israel or the activists for the bloodshed.
Reports suggest pro-Palestinian groups will attempt to sail more ships to Gaza’s shores within the next few days.
—Agencies