“The massacre committed on Mavi Marmara ship, which was at the forefront of the Great Freedom Flotilla that sailed thousands of miles to reach besieged Gaza with hundreds of renowned figures and activists onboard in a humanitarian and political solidarity, emphasized the importance and centrality of the Palestinian cause.”

He added, in a statement on Sunday, that on that day, Turkish citizens were martyred and wounded while defending Palestine and attempting to break the unjust siege imposed by the criminal israeli occupation on the steadfast people of the Gaza Strip.

This was a new episode in series of enormous efforts made by Turkey to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem and Palestine in the field and in international forums and an extension of the honorable history of the Ottoman Empire in defending the inalienable Palestinians’ right to their land and to living in dignity in a free and independent state, Salah underlined.

The names of Mavi Marmara’s martyrs were added to the list of thousands of Turkish, Arab and Muslim martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Palestine over the past century, he said, adding that the Turkish blood and Palestinian blood became one, and the martyrs will live forever in our memories.

He pointed out that at a time when the world did not lift a finger to break the unjust blockade on Gaza, Arab and Muslim groups, along with a group of honorable people of different tongues, colors and beliefs, boarded the Freedom Flotilla vessels.

He noted that some managed to reach Gaza shores, while others were stopped halfway by israeli wanton attacks, which unveiled israel’s ugly face that kills, destroys and breaks international and humanitarian laws and norms.

The Hamas leader underscored that the Palestinians are determined to continue the struggle, having the nation’s support with all its spectrums, until return and liberation are achieved.

ILKHA