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[[Political analyst]]s from the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]],<ref name=Spencer/> the [[Danish Institute for International Studies]],<ref name=Kohlmann>{{cite web |url=http://www.diis.dk/graphics/Publications/WP2006/DIIS%20WP%202006-7.web.pdf |title=The Role of Islamic Charities in International Terrorist Recruitment and Financing |author=[[Evan F. Kohlmann]] |date=2006 |work=DIIS Working Paper no 2006/7 |publisher=[[Danish Institute for International Studies]] |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> the [[Washington Institute for Near East Policy]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Contending visions of the Middle East: the history and politics of Orientalism |last=Lockman |first=Zachary |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521629379 |year=2004 |quote=Describing itself as a "public educational foundation dedicated to scholarly research and informed debate on US interests in the Middle East," WINEP emerged as the leading pro-Israel think tank in Washington. |page=246 |accessdate=2009-11-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=AlZbPNvaoHMC&pg=PA110 | page = 111 | title = Iraq under siege: the deadly impact of sanctions and war | first = Anthony | last = Arnove | edition = 2nd | publisher = [[Pluto Press]] | year = 2003 | ISBN = 0745320333, ISBN 9780745320335 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=1suw77aSEJMC&pg=PA164 | page = 164 | title = Jews and the American public square: debating religion and republic | first = Alan | last = Mittleman | first2 = Robert | last2 = Licht | first3 = Jonathan D. | last3 = Sarna | publisher = [[Rowman & Littlefield]] | year = 2002 | ISBN = 0742521249, ISBN 9780742521247 }}</ref><ref name=policy>{{cite web |url=http://washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3208 |title=Fallout from the Gaza Flotilla Tragedy |last1=Levitt |first1=Matthew |last2=Makovsky |first2=David |last3=White |first3=Jeffrey |date=2010-06-05 |work= |publisher=[[Washington Institute for Near East Policy]] |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> and the Israeli [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=177167 |title=What is the IHH? |last1=Hartman |first1=Ben |last2= |first2= |date=2010-06-01 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |publisher=Mirkaei Tikshoret |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> have said there are links between IHH and Hamas, Al-Qaida, and/or other [[Islamism | Islamist]] and [[Jihadist]] groups. ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' characterized IHH as "a radical Islamist group masquerading as a humanitarian agency."<ref name=Spencer/>
[[Political analyst]]s from the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]],<ref name=Spencer/> the [[Danish Institute for International Studies]],<ref name=Kohlmann>{{cite web |url=http://www.diis.dk/graphics/Publications/WP2006/DIIS%20WP%202006-7.web.pdf |title=The Role of Islamic Charities in International Terrorist Recruitment and Financing |author=[[Evan F. Kohlmann]] |date=2006 |work=DIIS Working Paper no 2006/7 |publisher=[[Danish Institute for International Studies]] |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> the [[Washington Institute for Near East Policy]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Contending visions of the Middle East: the history and politics of Orientalism |last=Lockman |first=Zachary |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521629379 |year=2004 |quote=Describing itself as a "public educational foundation dedicated to scholarly research and informed debate on US interests in the Middle East," WINEP emerged as the leading pro-Israel think tank in Washington. |page=246 |accessdate=2009-11-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=AlZbPNvaoHMC&pg=PA110 | page = 111 | title = Iraq under siege: the deadly impact of sanctions and war | first = Anthony | last = Arnove | edition = 2nd | publisher = [[Pluto Press]] | year = 2003 | ISBN = 0745320333, ISBN 9780745320335 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=1suw77aSEJMC&pg=PA164 | page = 164 | title = Jews and the American public square: debating religion and republic | first = Alan | last = Mittleman | first2 = Robert | last2 = Licht | first3 = Jonathan D. | last3 = Sarna | publisher = [[Rowman & Littlefield]] | year = 2002 | ISBN = 0742521249, ISBN 9780742521247 }}</ref><ref name=policy>{{cite web |url=http://washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3208 |title=Fallout from the Gaza Flotilla Tragedy |last1=Levitt |first1=Matthew |last2=Makovsky |first2=David |last3=White |first3=Jeffrey |date=2010-06-05 |work= |publisher=[[Washington Institute for Near East Policy]] |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> and the Israeli [[Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=177167 |title=What is the IHH? |last1=Hartman |first1=Ben |last2= |first2= |date=2010-06-01 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |publisher=Mirkaei Tikshoret |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> have said there are links between IHH and Hamas, Al-Qaida, and/or other [[Islamism | Islamist]] and [[Jihadist]] groups. ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' characterized IHH as "a radical Islamist group masquerading as a humanitarian agency."<ref name=Spencer/>


In July 2008 it was announced that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak had signed an order declaring IHH (and 35 other funds) banned associations in Israel, saying that the IHH is part of a Hamas extremist Islamic foundations fundraising network, and supports and assists Hamas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2008/Defense+Minister+signs+order+banning+Hamas-affiliated+charitable+organizations+7-Jul-2008.htm | title=Defense Minister signs order banning Hamas-affiliated charitable organizations |publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs| date=July 7,2008 | acceessdate=2010-06-07}}</ref>
In July 2008 it was announced that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak had signed an order declaring IHH (and 35 other funds) banned associations in Israel, saying that the IHH is part of a Hamas extremist Islamic foundations fundraising network, and supports and assists Hamas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2008/Defense+Minister+signs+order+banning+Hamas-affiliated+charitable+organizations+7-Jul-2008.htm | title=Defense Minister signs order banning Hamas-affiliated charitable organizations |publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs| date=July 7, 2008 | acceessdate=2010-06-07}}</ref>


IHH has not been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm |title=Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations |publisher=Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism | date=January 19, 2010 | accessdate=2010-06-07}}</ref><ref name="state-briefing-20100607">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/06/142591.htm |title=US Department of State Daily Press Briefing June 2, 2010 | |date=2010-06-02 |accessdate=2010-06-07}}</ref> At the State Department's June 2, 2010 daily press briefing, assistant secretary Philip J. Crowley told reporters "We cannot validate" a connection between al-Qaida and IHH, but he did express "great concern" over known meetings between IHH and senior Hamas officials.<ref name="state-briefing-20100607"/>
IHH has not been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm |title=Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations |publisher=Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism | date=January 19, 2010 | accessdate=2010-06-07}}</ref><ref name="state-briefing-20100607">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/06/142591.htm |title=US Department of State Daily Press Briefing June 2, 2010 | |date=2010-06-02 |accessdate=2010-06-07}}</ref> At the State Department's June 2, 2010 daily press briefing, assistant secretary Philip J. Crowley told reporters "We cannot validate" a connection between al-Qaida and IHH, but he did express "great concern" over known meetings between IHH and senior Hamas officials.<ref name="state-briefing-20100607"/>

Revision as of 00:22, 8 June 2010

İHH İnsani Yardım Vakfı (full Turkish name: İnsan Hak ve Hürriyetleri ve İnsani Yardım Vakfı,[1] in English: The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief) or IHH is a Turkish NGO active in more than 100 countries. Established in 1992 and officially registered in Istanbul in 1995, IHH provides humanitarian relief in areas of war, earthquake, hunger, and conflict.[2] The IHH has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2004.[3][4]

Political analysts from some organizations (such as the Danish Institute for International Studies)[5] and Israel say that the IHH has ties with radical militant Islamic groups (such as Hamas and al-Qaeda), and that the IHH aids terrorism.

The IHH came to international attention in the aftermath of the Gaza flotilla raid of 31 May 2010. The IHH was owner and operator of three of the six flotilla ships involved in the incident, including the MV Mavi Marmara, which served as the flagship of the convoy.[6][7] Nine passengers aboard the Mavi Marmara were killed by Israeli forces in a violent skirmish that began when commandos boarded the vessel.[8][9][10][11]

Background

According to Reuters,

the Istanbul-based Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) is an Islamic charity group banned in Israel that was formed to provide aid to Bosnian Muslims in the mid-1990s. It has been involved in aid missions in Pakistan, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Indonesia, Iraq, Palestinian territories and other places, according to Turkish media.[12]

The organization's website describes activity in Turkey, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Caucasus.[13] IHH has held Special Consultative status as an NGO (non-governmental organization) in the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2004.[3]

Humanitarian activities

The IHH engages in social and cultural activities, in addition to health services in more than 100 countries[14]. The foundation runs the Africa Cataract Project, begun in 2007, in ten African countries. Other activities include providing health care and water wells in Africa. IHH sent two cargo planes to Haiti with 33 tons of humanitarian aid supplies after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[13]

Gaza flotilla

Main article: Gaza flotilla raid

In January 2010, the Free Gaza Movement and IHH announced a joint venture to send ten boats to the Gaza strip in the spring of 2010, a flotilla to be further joined by organizations from Greece, Ireland and Sweden.[15] On May 30, 2010, a flotilla of six ships carrying 663 activists from 37 nations rendezvoused near Cyprus and set sail for Gaza.[16][17] The stated intention of the Gaza flotilla, like for earlier flotillas organized by the Free Gaza Movement, was to break through the Israeli blockade of the Gaza strip to deliver humanitarian supplies (an offer to deliver the supplies to Ashdod, for a check and then onward delivery to Gaza, was rejected).[18][19] The IHH spent more than $2 million on the boats.[20]

On May 31, 2010, Israeli forces boarded and seized the ships in international waters. On the MV Mavi Marmara, one of the ships owned and operated by the IHH, nine passengers were killed, and dozens of people injured, including several Israeli commandos. Subsequently, Israel towed the six ships to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where the cargo was unloaded, inspected, and some of it delivered to Gaza. Hamas refused to accept delivery of the goods. The incident prompted international reaction and resulted in Egypt lifting its blockade of Gaza and opening its Rafah Border Crossing with the Gaza Strip.[21]

Allegations of terrorist affiliations

Political analysts from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,[2] the Danish Institute for International Studies,[5] the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.[22][23][24][25] and the Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center[26] have said there are links between IHH and Hamas, Al-Qaida, and/or other Islamist and Jihadist groups. The Daily Telegraph characterized IHH as "a radical Islamist group masquerading as a humanitarian agency."[2]

In July 2008 it was announced that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak had signed an order declaring IHH (and 35 other funds) banned associations in Israel, saying that the IHH is part of a Hamas extremist Islamic foundations fundraising network, and supports and assists Hamas.[27]

IHH has not been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States.[28][29] At the State Department's June 2, 2010 daily press briefing, assistant secretary Philip J. Crowley told reporters "We cannot validate" a connection between al-Qaida and IHH, but he did express "great concern" over known meetings between IHH and senior Hamas officials.[29]

A member of the group, Izzet Sahin, had previously been arrested by the Israeli security forces on charges of aiding Palestinian organizations banned by Israel. Serkan Nergis, a spokesman for IHH, told Reuters: "We don't have anything against Israel. Our only aim was to carry aid to the people of Gaza. But for Israel, regardless of your religion or your nationality, if you help the people of Gaza you will be declared a terrorist."[12]

References

  1. ^ The organization regularly gives its name as İnsan Hak ve Hürriyetleri İnsani Yardım Vakfı, but the full version in which the Turkish word ve ("and") appears twice is the name as given as the foundation's name in Article 1 of its act of establishment: "Vakıf Kuruluş Senedi" (in Turkish). ihh.org.tr.
  2. ^ a b c Richard Spencer (2010-05-31). "Gaza flotilla: the Free Gaza Movement and the IHH". Telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  3. ^ a b "Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, The". NGO Branch, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  4. ^ "Profile: Free Gaza Movement". BBC News. BBC. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  5. ^ a b Evan F. Kohlmann (2006). "The Role of Islamic Charities in International Terrorist Recruitment and Financing" (PDF). DIIS Working Paper no 2006/7. Danish Institute for International Studies. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  6. ^ Slackman, Michael (2010-06-03). "In Bid to Quell Anger Over Raid, Israel Frees Detainees". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  7. ^ Reynolds, Paul (2010-06-02). "Israeli convoy raid: What went wrong?". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  8. ^ Edmund Sanders (2010-06-01). "Israel criticized over raid on Gaza flotilla". Los Angeles Times. Eddy Hartenstein. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  9. ^ Al Jazeera staff and agencies (2010-05-30). "Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet". Al-Jazeera. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  10. ^ CNN Wire Staff (2010-05-30). "Israeli assault on Gaza-bound flotilla leaves at least 9 dead". CNN. Retrieved 2010-06-02. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ Al Jazeera staff and agencies (2010-06-05). "Flotilla activists 'shot 30 times'". Al-Jazeera. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  12. ^ a b Villelabeitia, Ibon (2010-05-31). "Factbox: Turkish charity group behind Gaza-bound convoy". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  13. ^ a b "(website in Turkish)". Insani Yardim Vakfi. Insani Yardim Vakfi. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  14. ^ Where We Work
  15. ^ "Our Last Port Is Freedom: Sending a Flotilla in the Spring to Break the Siege of Gaza" (Press release). Free Gaza Movement. January 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  16. ^ Tia Goldenberg (May 31, 2010). "Pro-Palestinian aid flotilla sets sail for Gaza". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  17. ^ Kosharek, Noah; Kyzer, Liel; Ravid, Barak (2010-06-01). "Israel transfers hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists to airport for deportation". Haaretz. Schocken Family. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  18. ^ Black, Ian; Siddique, Haroon (2010-05-30). "Q&A: The Gaza Freedom flotilla". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  19. ^ "Israel's flotilla raid revives questions of international law". The Washington Post. Katharine Weymouth. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  20. ^ "Turkey to Challenge Israel, Support Hamas - Defense/Middle East - Israel News". Israel National News. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  21. ^ Macdonald, Alastair (2010-06-01). "Egypt opens Gaza border after Israel ship clash". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  22. ^ Lockman, Zachary (2004). Contending visions of the Middle East: the history and politics of Orientalism. Cambridge University Press. p. 246. ISBN 9780521629379. Describing itself as a "public educational foundation dedicated to scholarly research and informed debate on US interests in the Middle East," WINEP emerged as the leading pro-Israel think tank in Washington. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  23. ^ Arnove, Anthony (2003). Iraq under siege: the deadly impact of sanctions and war (2nd ed.). Pluto Press. p. 111. ISBN 0745320333, ISBN 9780745320335. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  24. ^ Mittleman, Alan; Licht, Robert; Sarna, Jonathan D. (2002). Jews and the American public square: debating religion and republic. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 164. ISBN 0742521249, ISBN 9780742521247. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  25. ^ Levitt, Matthew; Makovsky, David; White, Jeffrey (2010-06-05). "Fallout from the Gaza Flotilla Tragedy". Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  26. ^ Hartman, Ben (2010-06-01). "What is the IHH?". The Jerusalem Post. Mirkaei Tikshoret. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  27. ^ "Defense Minister signs order banning Hamas-affiliated charitable organizations". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. July 7, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |acceessdate= ignored (help)
  28. ^ "Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations". Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. January 19, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  29. ^ a b "US Department of State Daily Press Briefing June 2, 2010". 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2010-06-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
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