FZY Israel Update

Following the flotilla crisis in Israel, we aim to provide you with the news and updates of the developments as they come in.

Stay updated with artciles, photos, videos and links to do with the Gaza Flotilla crisis.

The Gaza Flotilla Crisis

At 4am on Monday, May 31st, Israeli commandos boarded the 6 ships which were part of a convoy to Gaza, aiming to "break the siege" of the strip and delivering aid to the people of Gaza.

5 ships were taken over peacefully, but the activists on the other ship, the "Mavi Marmara", used violence against the soldiers. The soldiers came by helicopter and glided down ropes onto the deck, only to be met met by a hostile crows who attacked them with knives, metal bars, chairs and axes.

In the midst of the violent clashes that developed almost immediately, the soldiers used live fire against the protestors, killing 9 and wounding around 30. 9 soldiers were injured during the attack, 2 of them severely, with some of them suffering from gun wounds too - according to Israeli officials.

International condemnation of Israel quickly followed in the hours after the attack. President Arduan of Turkey was most notable in his anti-Israel criticism and was keen to show his anger, both on the policial stage and at home. It is believed the people who were killed and injured in the violent clashes were members of IHH, a Turkish movement, which could explain the angry comments from Turkey officials. Israeli officials have told media sources that the group has links to Al-Qaeda - but at the same time made all efforts to ensure relations with Turkey are don't detriorate for the worse or even disappear, after recently diminishing to an all-time low.

Latest news

A total of 315 activists from the Mavi Marmara ship have been transferred from the Ela Prison in Beersheba to Ben Gurion International Airport and are slated to be deported Wednesday.

Israel's ambassador to Turkey, Gabby Levy, will not be recalled, Israel Radio reported Wednesday,

3 most viewed YouTube clips in the world - posted by IDF -
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/3-most-viewed-youtube-clips-in-the-world-posted-by-idf-1.293994

'Activists seized marines' - account by Al Jazeera Cameraman Andrea Abu Halil
http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/article486646.ece/Activists-seized-marines