At an event in the southern Turkish coastal town of Alanya, Bulent Yildirim, the head of the Islamic Human Rights and Freedom Organization (IHH), which organized the May 2010 Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, told an audience of over 1,000 about the organization's plans to send a second flotilla to Gaza, consisting of 15-20 vessels, as well as land convoys and an airplane.
The following is a translation of excerpts from his address:[1]
To view the MEMRI Flotilla page, visit http://www.memri.org/subject/en/833.htm.
"Until Our March to Al-Aqsa is Completed, This Sea Intifada and Land Intifada Will Continue"
"We are getting ready... There will be a ship from every country... in Europe. Our own Mavi Marmara will also set sail from Europe... Vessels will come from everywhere in the world...
"Israel will learn this: The Mediterranean does not belong to Israel... Just because we have had shahids, we are not fearful... We will not step back...
"Let all know this: Until the blockade on Gaza is lifted... and until our march to al-Aqsa is completed, this sea intifada and land intifada will continue!
"Also, it will not be only by sea. We are preparing for land convoys as well. And with Allah's permission, our project for the purchase of an airplane will soon be realized. This way we will reach Gaza by air too."
"Our Problem Is Zionism – Which, Like a Virus, Has Infected All Humanity!"
"What do we say to the world leaders? Do not expect us to live in peace, when people in Gaza are dying... And do not expect us to remain silent when al Aqsa mosque is a prisoner...
"We are saying this: We don't have a problem with the Christians or Jews. Some of them were with us in our ships... But we do have a problem with one place! And we declare it with courage... without fear... We say this with no hesitation: Our problem is Zionism – which, like a virus, has infected all humanity!"
[1] Dha, Zaman, Turkey, April 7, 2011.
