Families Of Marmara Victims File Lawsuit Against Israel

Families Of Marmara Victims File Lawsuit Against Israel

by Saed Bannoura

October 6, 2012 The Turkish Hurriyet Daily reported that 33 family members of Turkish citizens who were shot and killed by the Israeli army when Israel attacked the Mavi Marmara solidarity ship that was heading to Gaza in 2010, filed on October 5 a lawsuit against Israel demanding compensation. The families of Furqan Dogan, Cevdet Kılıçlar and Necdet Yıldırım, who were killed during the Israeli attack, are suing Israel seeking moral and financial compensation. 30 other persons who were injured in the Israeli attack are also filing for compensation, the families’ attorney, Uğur Yıldırım, stated. Hurriyet said that journalists and nurses are among the plaintiffs who were seriously injured in the Israeli attack, and added that there are 33 cases filed against Israel demanding compensation that mounts $ 10 Million Turkish Liras. It is worth mentioning that, back in May this year, Turkey pressed formal charges against Israeli officers involved in the deadly attack demanding 9 consecutive life terms for four Israeli commanders. Israeli sources said that Israel offered $6 Million to the victims in order to settle the issue. The Israeli attack against MV Marmara, part of the Freedom Flotilla that was sailing to Gaza to deliver medical and humanitarian supplies, took place on May 31, 2010. The army attacked the ships while in territorial waters. Nine activists were killed and dozens were injured. The attack led to a sharp crisis in relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, and the Turkish government demanded an official apology from Israel, compensation to the victims, and also demanded Israel to lift the siege imposed on Gaza.