TIMELINE OF THE SECOND GAZA FLOTILLA
Dimpool Analysis Team
Daily Updated Pattern Analysis
2 June 2011
Basic Timeline
February 7, 2011
Pro-Palestinian activists of the next Freedom Flotilla have organized a press conference in Madrid – Spain and discussed the details new freedom flotilla.
February 10, 2011
Deputy Chairman of The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), Huseyin Oruc stated that the IHH will take part in the second flotilla organization.
March 01, 2011
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Friday to prevent the second flotilla which is supposed to set sail in May 2011.
May 12, 2011
A bipartisan group of members of the US Congress has written a letter appealing to the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to prevent a second flotilla from sailing to Gaza.
May 16, 2011
The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), announced that the ship, Mavi marmara will take part in the second flotilla.
May 19, 2011
The IHH, officially stated that it will send another flotilla to Gaza.
May 20, 2011
President of the IHH, Bulent Yildirim organized a press conference and said, “15 ships will depart in late June”. He added “If Israel has a little bit consideration, it allows the second flotilla to its destination”.
May 26, 2011
Ankara District President of the IHH, stated that they are expecting more than a million applications for the second flotilla.
May 27, 2011
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated that Turkish government can not stop upcoming Flotilla to Gaza and he added “Israel has enough experience not to repeat such a mistake again”.
May 27, 2011
Egypt opened Rafah Border crossing permanently, allowing Palestinians with passports to cross into Egypt every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except for Fridays and holidays
May 27, 2011
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called on all governments concerned to use their influence to discourage such flotilla, which carry the potential to escalate into violent conflict and to act responsibly and with caution to avoid any violent incident.
May 30, 2011
Free Gaza Movement responded the UN and stated “the mission would go ahead as planned”.
May 30, 2011
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, Stafan Fule: “Aids for Gaza should be sent through official channels and borders by land. We are against unnecessary confrontations”
May 31, 2011
Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lieutenant-General Benny Ganz, stated to a parliamentary committee that they are preparing to stop the new flotilla.
June 6, 2011
Turkish FM, Ahmet Davutoglu stated that the IHH should wait to see the developments after the opening of Rafah Border crossing.
June 17, 2011
The IHH President said “because of the technical reasons, the Mavi Marmara boat could not take part in the Second Gaza Flotilla.”
June 17, 2011
Swedish representative of the Second Flotilla, Dror Feiler stated that 10 ships will take place in the flotilla and their destination will be Gaza.
June 27, 2011
Greek government detained six ships supposed to part in the Second Gaza Flotilla.
June 28, 2011
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said “participants in an aid flotilla planning to challenge an Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip are seeking confrontation and blood and for many pictures on television screens”
June 28, 2011
The flotilla organizers claimed that the Israeli forces had sabotaged their ship, docked in a Greek seaport and stated that the ship will need a repair at least for a few days.
July 1, 2011
The Greek coastguard intercepted one of The Second Flotilla ships “The Audacity of Hope” and arrested its captain.
July 4, 2011
Greek authorities had banned the departure of Canadian ship ‘Tahrir’ to Gaza from its ports.
July 7, 2011
The Greek coastguard intercepted a French boat with pro-Palestinian activists aboard, this is the third flotilla ship that is prevented from sailing to Gaza.
July 7, 2011
Flotilla organizers decided to send its activists home after its ships has been seized by Greek coastguard.
July 10, 2011
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israel Radio “The ‘air’ and naval flotilla have vanished like a rain cloud on a summer day, Israel was successful in their prevention.”
Conclusions
It seems that, Israel’s diplomatic attempts to prevent the Second Flotilla are succeeded. Especially the removal of the Mavi Marmara and cooperation with the Greek government on detaining the Flotilla ships prevented an another international crisis with Turkey and other countries. At this point, Turkish and Israeli diplomat’s active approach to problem solving, will be useful for Turkey to be reconciled with Israel over the First Flotilla dispute.
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