Mavi Marmara ship returns to Istanbul
Updated: 2010-12-27 09:17
(Xinhua)
ISTANBUL - Tens of thousands of Turks turned up at Sultanahmet harbor in Istanbul on Sunday for the return of the Mavi Marmara, the ill-fated flagship of the Gaza flotilla, which was violently raided by Israeli commando forces in May.
People celebrated the return of the ship by waving flags of the Palestinian territories and chanting anti-Israeli slogans.
|
Bulent Yildirim, president of the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), which organized the Gaza-bound flotilla as well as Sunday's rally, told the crowd that he was proud of having been able to show the resistance.
"They (the Israelis) tell us to stay away, then you stay away from Gaza, from the West Bank, from the Al-Aksa mosque and we'll stay away from you," he said.
Yildirim as well as many others from Greece and Sweden, all said the world was ready to take action against the Israeli occupation, and greater initiatives would be done in the future.
Mavi Marmara was pulled into the harbor at local time 13:00 ( 1100 GMT) amidst fanfare, fireworks and balloons being released upon its arrival.
The ship will be open to public for a month before being taken to the Tuzla shipyards to be repaired.
Refraining from attending the welcoming ceremony, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday that Turkey had intention to make peace with Israel.
During his meeting with columnists of several newspapers in Istanbul, Davutoglu said "Turkey has intention to make peace with Israel. We are in favor of peace with all countries."
However, he said apology and compensation were needed to continue friendship with Israel.
E-paper
Ear We Go
China and the world set to embrace the merciful, peaceful year of rabbit
Preview of the coming issue
Carrefour finds the going tough in China
Maid to Order
Specials
Mysteries written in blood
Historical records and Caucasian features of locals suggest link with Roman Empire.
Winning Charm
Coastal Yantai banks on little things that matter to grow
New rules to hit property market
The State Council launched a new round of measures to rein in property prices.