Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Simon** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:50 pm

'FLOTILLA MANIA' has taken Cyprus and the Middle east by storm, after reports that Israeli activists were planning "reverse flotillas" to the occupied areas and Turkey to highlight its neighbours’ naval embargoes and treatment of minority groups.

It seems such informal fleets - ostensibly on humanitarian missions - have become the latest instrument of protest and clandestine diplomacy in the chaotic politics of the Middle East, offering up new heroes, villains and untold opportunities to cast wild aspersions against political enemies.

Israeli flotilla plotters said on Thursday they aim to dispatch flotillas with two goals in mind; firstly to confront future Gaza-bound flotillas, and secondly to highlight Turkey’s hypocrisy, since it too is an occupying power, had introduced embargoes and oppressed minorities.

The first reported flotilla is bound for occupied Famagusta, and, according to the Jerusalem post will be led by Alex Goldfarb, former member of Knesset, and Meretz Party activist Pinhas Har-Zahav of Modi’in to protest the fort’s occupation.

The second reported flotilla will reportedly head towards either Turkey or the north of Cyprus tomorrow, coinciding with a Turkish Naval exercise, and consists of students of the National Union of Israeli Students (NUIS), and it could be substantially larger than either the freedom flotilla or the Cyprus bound flotilla.

According to spiked-online, as many as 400 Israeli yacht owners have volunteered their yachts for the reverse flotilla. The Cyprus Mail also received unconfirmed reports of a third flotilla to the Republic of Cyprus to protest against the illegal Turkish occupation.

Ironically, this could play into Turkey’s hands. As Egemen Bagis, Turkey’s Chief Negotiator pointed out, the flotilla would effectively is breaking what Turkey deems an embargo by the Republic of Cyprus. He said "They will pay the fees, they use these ports and on the other hand they will lift the embargo imposed by the Greek Cypriot sector."

Nevertheless, Boaz Toporovsky NUIS chairman said they hope to raise money for humanitarian supplies to bring to the Armenian, Kurdish minorities who are impoverished as a result of Turkish oppression, thereby exposing "the hypocrisy of Turkey and through that the hypocrisy of the whole world.’

In so doing, they will introduce the latest fashion in humanitarian protest to two further conflicts, the Cyprus problem and Kurdish independence.

Toporovsky said ‘If the Turks are so concerned about human rights, they should think about the millions of Kurds who have wanted their own country for over 100 years. There are more Kurds in Turkey than there are Jews and Palestinians in the whole world. So if Turkey’s heart and mouth are in the same place, they should give the Kurds independence. The same with northern Cyprus: Turkey occupied it and only Turkey recognises it as theirs."

While this is a valid point, the Israeli flotilla is unlikely to enjoy the support of Greek Cypriots, who roundly condemned the Israeli killing of nine protesters of the freedom flotilla last week, and could be equally opposed to Israelis funding port "authorities" in the occupied areas.

Bagis remained unconvinced and unfazed, and he pointed out that Turkey will be conducting a naval exercise from Monday to Wednesday, as the flotilla is en route.

He added “Relating Gaza to Cyprus is like mixing apples with pears... I cannot understand the logic of a fleet departing from Israel for Cyprus. In any case, the Israeli vessels are continuously going to south Cyprus. If they will come to northern Cyprus, let them come. If they come they will see. We do not see any harm in their using the ports of northern Cyprus."

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/floti ... d/20100612

by **Gasman** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:18 pm

While this is a valid point, the Israeli flotilla is unlikely to enjoy the support of Greek Cypriots, who roundly condemned the Israeli killing of nine protesters of the freedom flotilla last week

Well not ALL GCs condemned it. And some are really looking forward to Israel sending flotillas here.

Flotillas - all the rage. Before you know it, we will be seeing 'Flotilla Package Holidays' on sale.

by **YFred** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:20 pm

Perhaps they could send a direct flights to Ercan. We will not complain.

But if they insist on ships, they are also welcome so long as they have some passion fruit on them or sumfink.

by **Oracle** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:54 pm

Notice: They did NOT ask permission from turkey to enter the port! So your "welcome" is not sought.

by **YFred** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:59 pm

Oracle wrote:Notice: They did NOT ask permission from turkey to enter the port! So your "welcome" is not sought.

Who is running this joint, anyway? If I say they are welcome, they are welcome. All they have to do is call Lurucadi Muhtar Barbaros and it will all be arranged, so long as they have passion fruit on board. We have a landing strip ready for them from when Lurucadi Airlines was trying to get permission to land in Trahones airport.

by **Paphitis** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:24 am

We thoroughly look forward to the arrival of the Israeli Peace Flotilla to Cyprus and Kurdish Turkey!

Benjamin Netanyahu should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize! :lol:

by **YFred** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:47 am

Paphitis wrote:We thoroughly look forward to the arrival of the Israeli Peace Flotilla to Cyprus and Kurdish Turkey!

Benjamin Netanyahu should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize!

4-0 you little barstuard.