Condemns Attack On Global Sumud Flotilla, President Errodgan: Show Real Israeli Face

President Erdogan. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

JAKARTA - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel's attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian fleet, calling it showing the true face of Israel.

Speaking to fellow Justice and Development Party (AK Party) members in Ankara on Thursday, President Erdogan repeated his harsh criticism of Israel, focusing on attacks on GSFs in international waters.

"I condemn the brutal acts targeting the Global Sumud Fleet. This proves how far the genocide of the Israeli government will try to distract from its crimes. This once again shows the true face of Israel to the world," President Erdogan said, launching Daily Sabah Oct. 2.

"Turkey supports all passengers of hope above the fleet. We are taking steps to protect activists, our citizens who are above the fleet," he said.

President Erdogan said the fleet was only on its way to attract attention to "barbarity in which Gaza's children died of hunger" and brought humanitarian aid to oppressed Palestinians.

"This attack once again shows how crazy this team of genocidal perpetrators is in their efforts to cover up crimes against humanity they commit in Gaza. This shows that Netanyahu's genocidal government cannot even tolerate the possibility of peace, let alone peace itself," explained President Erdogan.

"Global Sumud Flotilla points to the real and cruel world of Israel's face and highlights the massacre in Gaza. Turkey stands alongside the Sumud fleet and all its passengers who are the hope, which is the voice of conscience with mankind," he stressed.

"Turkey priority is ending the bloodshed in Gaza and sending humanitarian aid relentlessly. We will not leave our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are fighting for their lives and dignity in difficult situations and will exert all efforts to uphold peace and a ceasefire," he said.

As previously reported, Israel's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said in a statement it had intercepted a number of aid fleet ships sailing into the Gaza Strip and taken them to the country's port.

The ships were about 70 nautical miles from war-torn enclaves when they were intercepted, within Israel's supervised zone to prevent any vessels from approaching.

The GSF, which transports medicine and food to Gaza, consists of more than 40 civilian ships with about 500 lawmakers, lawyers, and activists.

Israeli forces intercepted and boarded dozens of ships participating in the group, bringing activists and humanitarian aid inside to the Israeli port for later deportation.

The Israeli Navy from Wednesday night to Thursday morning intercepted a group of GSF ships trying to penetrate the blockade in the Gaza Strip.

Operations carried out by a commando unit from the Navy, Shayet 13 had boarded about 40 of the 47 GSF ships by Thursday morning, detaining hundreds of activists on board after disrupting their signals, The Times of Israel reported.

Israel claims the efforts of a fleet of humanitarian activists to penetrate Israel's maritime blockade in the Gaza Strip have ended without a major incident.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the "provocation" by Global Sumud Flotilla "is over."

"No Hamas-Sumud provocation ship has successfully entered the active combat zone or violated the legitimate sea blockade," the ministry said.

The ministry said "all passengers are safe and in good health. They are on their way safely to Israel, from there they will be deported to Europe."

One ship, with possible mechanical problems, is still in the sea a bit far from Gaza.

The ministry said, "if the ship approaches, its efforts to enter active combat zones and violate the blockade will also be prevented."