Turkish charity that sent aid convoy to Gaza ‘has links to terrorism’

[Fozzledick]

The Turkish charity at the centre of the raid by Israeli forces on an aid vessel in the Mediterranean was under intense scrutiny last night over its alleged links with militant organisations.

Despite their claims to be an entirely peaceful organisation, The Foundation for Human Rights, Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) has a history of involvement in Islamic extremism around the world and has been linked with an attempted bombing of an airport in the US.

The charity had 40 members on the Turkish-owned ship Mavi Marmara when it was boarded by Israeli Navy commandos on Monday. Nine people died in the operation.

Israeli security sources said that about 40 people set upon their commandos as they abseiled from a helicopter on to the upper deck of the ship, armed primarily with paintball guns intended for use in crowd control. The troops found themselves facing a crowd armed with metal pipes, knives and stun grenades.

...

The IHH, which Israel says has links with the Palestinian group Hamas, first gained attention in the 1990s. Jean-Louis Bruguière, a French investigating magistrate and an authority on counter-terrorism, has said that in the mid-1990s the group’s leader, Bulent Yildirim, made efforts to “recruit veteran soldiers in anticipation of the coming holy war. In particular, some men were sent into war zones in Muslim countries in order to acquire combat experience”.

Mr Bruguière testified at the US trial of Ahmed Ressam, dubbed the Millennium Bomber, that the IHH had played an important role in a failed plot to bomb Los Angeles airport.

A 2006 report by the Danish Institute for International Studies described the group as a front for funding terrorist organisations and sending Mujahidin to fight in countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia and Chechnya. The IHH, which is not on US or European terrorist lists, denies accusations of ties to terrorist groups.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7142977.ece

[wingnut40]

1. so does this give Israel a pass on their attacks?

[Fozzledick]

6. It helps explain the ambush

[Warren Stupidity]

2. " The IHH, which is not on US or European terrorist lists"

So the claim here is from Israel alone and is not supported by US or European governments.

[Fozzledick]

7. RTFA!!!

It details accusations from French and Danish investigators.

[IndianaGreen]

19. Anyone that opposes the Occupation is a terrorist in the eyes of the zionists

Remember that Zionism has morphed from the legitimate longing for a land for Jews to live in peace to a heretical belief in the mythical Greater Israel that extends East of the Jordan.

[mike_c]

3. when all else fails, invoke the terrorism boogyman....

Links to terrorism! Links to terrorism!

I don't know about you, but I'm betting that if anyone ever wants to discredit me or most anyone else-- and I'm pretty much a "pillar of my community"-- a glance in my FBI or NSA file or whatever will readily disclose "links to terrorism."

This is just more IDF bullshit, I think. They really have the propaganda machine cranked to eleven this time.

:rofl:

[Fozzledick]

8. ... because no one involved with Hamas has anything to do with terrorism!

[Bodhi BloodWave]

11. I can agree that 'some' who was involved with hamas had something to do with terrorism

Afterall, Israel helped the group with funding in the late 70s/early 80s

[Recursion]

12. Don't be obtuse

Anyone who sends any aid to Gaza by definition is "linked with terrorism" because Hamas runs Gaza. That's all they're saying.

[EFerrari]

4. LOL

[Fozzledick]

9. You seem to be easily amused today!

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Yeahyeah]

13. "armed primarily with paintball guns intended for use in crowd control"

They only used the paintball guns after the nerf balls failed.

[Dutch]

14. Quelle surprise...

All true progressive, humanitarian cuddly teddy-bears devote a good portion of their time to recruiting soldiers in anticipation of holy war...:eyes:

[shira]

15. 'Freedom Flotilla' Organizer Bülent Yildirim at Hamas Rally in Gaza (from 2009)

'Freedom Flotilla' Organizer Bülent Yildirim at Hamas Rally in Gaza: 'Anyone Who Does Not Stand Alongside Palestine... Will Be Toppled'; 'Everything in the World... Is Progressing Towards Islam'; 'What Can The Enemy Do To Me?... If They Kill Me – That Is Martyrdom for the Sake of Allah... The Entire World Must Know That If They Do Not Lift the Embargo from Gaza, All the Muslims in the World Will March to Gaza' (Archival)

http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4300.htm

[azurnoir]

16. well now that settles it huh?

the Turkish activist who organized the FreeGaza flotilla has visited gasp Gaza I am shocked and appareled I tell you, but what no death to Israel, kill the Jews MEMRI must be slipping as to martyrdom guess it good that IDF seems willing to grant any Muslim their wish

[shira]

18. That speech from a year ago by the organizer behind the flotilla, shows he's a warmonger

...and not a humanitarian.

Did you catch the parts about all dedicated extreme Muslims joining up with Hamas to help wage war against Israel?

Or the part about his calls to ease the embargo not being for humanitarian reasons - but in order to strengthen Hamas and fight Israel?

He also advocates overthrowing any government not supporting Hamas (which is certainly music to the ears of Egypt and S.Arabia who have major issues with the Muslim Brotherhood).

-------------

Now you understand why the US Treasury Dept is after the Union-of-Good and all organizations like IHH under its umbrella.

And you should now understand why Israel just might be pissed at Turkey and Erdogan (who the flotilla leader hails and supports as someone of like mind) for sending a war party over to Israel - in the guise of humanitarians - and then blaming Israel for their new "911".

[IndianaGreen]

20. US should cancel all credits to Israel as well as arms shipments

Israel is a criminal rogue state that stands against all that is decent in humanity. Your government is as contemptible as P.W. Botha's apartheid regime in South Africa.

The day your side comes clean on the USS Liberty attack, is the day you will get a hearing.

[shira]

21. What do you think about the organizer of the flotilla being a pro-Hamas warmonger, not humanitarian?

[IndianaGreen]

24. What do you think of the smearing the officers and crew of the USS Liberty?

What do you think of America's foreign policy being held hostage by the Israel Lobby?

[shira]

26. Still thinking the flotilla was a humanitarian mission, aren't you?

[IndianaGreen]

27. Still thinking Israel-right-or-wrong, aren't you?

Does Memorial Day strike an emotional chord in you at all?

[shira]

29. How about sticking to the topic and not derailing the thread with your nutty conspiracy theory?

[IndianaGreen]

30. When it comes to nutty conspiracy theories, you are the Jedi Master.

Isn't it time to fix breakfast for the kids? It will soon be time for me!

[azurnoir]

31. Just will not quit oh but still IHH is not even once mentioned

not on the treasury list and not on the state departments but your McCarthyesque guilt by association is noted

[shira]

32. Yes, facts don't matter to you. We already know that. Question for you....

The folks singing "death to Jews" type songs as well as the ingrates who assaulted the IDF on the boat....

Humanitarians or warmongers?

I'll wait....

[azurnoir]

34. those are your claims in utter desparation to "prove"

that it was just fine and dandy for IDF to murder 9 civilians

however here one more time your much touted 2008 Bush era Treasury letter

November 12, 2008
HP-1267

Treasury Designates the Union of Good

Washington, DC-The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated the Union of Good, an organization created by Hamas leadership to transfer funds to the terrorist organization.

"Terrorist groups such as Hamas continue to exploit charities to radicalize vulnerable communities and cultivate support for their violent activities," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "The U.S. Government will continue to expose and undermine the activities of charities working on behalf of Hamas and other terrorist groups. At the same time, we are working with the charitable sector to expand the range of legitimate alternatives for providing charitable assistance to the Palestinian people."

Union of Good was designated today under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists, terrorist organizations, and those providing financial, technological, or material support to terrorists, terrorist organizations, or acts of terrorism. Any assets the Union of Good holds under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the Union of Good.

The leadership of Hamas created the Union of Good in late-2000, shortly after the start of the second Intifada, in order to facilitate the transfer of funds to Hamas. The Union of Good acts as a broker for Hamas by facilitating financial transfers between a web of charitable organizations--including several organizations previously designated under E.O. 13224 for providing support to Hamas--and Hamas-controlled organizations in the West Bank and Gaza. The primary purpose of this activity is to strengthen Hamas' political and military position in the West Bank and Gaza, including by: (i) diverting charitable donations to support Hamas members and the families of terrorist operatives; and (ii) dispensing social welfare and other charitable services on behalf of Hamas.

Among the primary financiers of Union of Good projects are several organizations designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 for providing support to Hamas and other terrorist groups, including the International Palestine Relief and Development Fund (Interpal), Al- Aqsa Foundation, Comite de Bienfaisance et de Secours aux Palestiniens (CBSP), the Association de Secours Palestiniens (ASP) of Switzerland, the Palestinian Association in Austria (PVOE), and the Sanabil Association for Relief and Development in Lebanon. The Union of Good facilitates the transfer of tens of millions of dollars a year to Hamas- managed associations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Funds raised by the Union of Good affiliates have been transferred to Hamas-managed organizations in the West Bank and Gaza. In addition to providing cover for Hamas financial transfers, some of the funds transferred by the Union of Good have compensated Hamas terrorists by providing payments to the families of suicide bombers. One of them, the Al-Salah Society, previously identified as a key support node for Hamas, was designated in August 2007 under E.O. 13224. The Society employed a number of members of the Hamas military wing and supported Hamas-affiliated combatants during the first Intifada.

The Union of Good's executive leadership and board of directors includes Hamas leaders, Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), and other terrorist supporters. The secretary general of the Union of Good, for example, also acts as the vice-chairman of the United Kingdom-based Interpal, which was designated in 2003 for providing financial support to Hamas under the cover of charitable activity. As of mid-2007, this official served on the Hamas executive committee under Hamas leader Khaled Misha'al.

Board members of the Union of Good include a West Bank Hamas member, and Abd al­Majid al-Zindani, a Yemen-based Hamas fundraiser who was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 in 2004 for providing support to al-Qaida. In 2006, Zindani delivered a fundraising speech at a Hamas conference in Yemen where the crowd pledged millions of riyals for Hamas.

The United States is also actively working with the Arab-American community and other interested donors to provide alternate relief mechanisms to the Palestinian people as we take action against the HAMAS charitable infrastructure.

Identifying Information

UNION OF GOOD
AKAs:
Charity Coalition
Coalition of Good
I'tilaf Al-Khair
I'tilaf Al-Khayr
101 Days Campaign
Etelaf Al-Khair

Address:
P.O. Box 136301, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 21313

-30-

http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/hp1267.htm


vs the current State Department list of designated terror organizations which does not mention Union of Good of Good or IHH or any of the Treasuries AKA's

Other Releases » Terrorism Designations » Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
January 19, 2010

Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) are foreign organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. FTO designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business.

Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations

1. Abu Nidal Organization (ANO)
2. Abu Sayyaf Group
3. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade
4. Al-Shabaab
5. Ansar al-Islam
6. Armed Islamic Group (GIA)
7. Asbat al-Ansar
8. Aum Shinrikyo
9. Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)
10. Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA)
11. Continuity Irish Republican Army
12. Gama’a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group)
13. HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
14. Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B)
15. Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM)
16. Hizballah (Party of God)
17. Islamic Jihad Group
18. Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
19. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) (Army of Mohammed)
20. Jemaah Islamiya organization (JI)
21. Kahane Chai (Kach)
22. Kata'ib Hizballah
23. Kongra-Gel (KGK, formerly Kurdistan Workers' Party, PKK, KADEK)
24. Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LT) (Army of the Righteous)
25. Lashkar i Jhangvi
26. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
27. Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)
28. Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (GICM)
29. Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK)
30. National Liberation Army (ELN)
31. Palestine Liberation Front (PLF)
32. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
33. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLF)
34. PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC)
35. Tanzim Qa'idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (QJBR) (al-Qaida in Iraq) (formerly Jama'at al-Tawhid wa'al-Jihad, JTJ, al-Zarqawi Network)
36. al-Qa’ida
37. al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
38. al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (formerly GSPC)
39. Real IRA
40. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
41. Revolutionary Organization 17 November
42. Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C)
43. Revolutionary Struggle
44. Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso, SL)
45. United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm

[shira]

35. In your view, are the folks in those videos humanitarian peace activists?

[azurnoir]

36. Yes most likely if it is the PalWatch "Al Jazeera" vid n/t

[shira]

37. Yes, they must be peace activists so you can keep demonizing Israel

I'd put you in the category of 911 truther or religious fanatic true believer but I think you know better.

[azurnoir]

39. first can you unequivocally prove that the people in the vid I cited

were also on the flotilla? as to being fanatic who here has attacked every article that is posted here critical to Israel at least the ones you have posted on and keeps an ever growing list of bad Jews regularly posts from known right wing sites me or you?
as to true believer shira go look in the mirror

and I will add IMO you wil knowingly post misleading information because for you the ends justifies the means in short the zealot would apply

[hulka38]

17. Do the phrases "linked to" and "involvement with" tell anyone anything?

Israel founded Hamas to counter and undermine the PLO. If you create something, you're certainly linked to it. Did this Turkish group found a terrorist organization like the Israelis did?

[IndianaGreen]

22. They are the same code words used by Dick Cheney in selling the war on Iraq

The Israel sycophants in America are trying to do the same in agitating for an attack on Iran. The negative publicity on the attack on the peace flotilla caught them off guard, and has thrown them off stride in their warmongering against Iran. They are desperately trying to recover and refocus our attention on Iran being a "threat" on them.

The real threat to America is the influence of the Israel Lobby on our political institutions.

[shira]

23. The main leader behind the flotilla is an ideological supporter (activist) for the Hamas regime

[IndianaGreen]

25. and you are...

[EFerrari]

41. Omg! Israel has LINKS TO HAMAS!

[shira]

28. "Snow White and the Madness of Truth" on wet "blood"going to heaven

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x318483#319206

The mindset of yet another major organizer of the flotilla - Dror Feiler - whose "artwork" in the link above was of a suicide bomber who murdered 21 people in Israel.

[backscatter712]

33. When all else fails, invoke guilt by association!

Senator McCarthy would be proud...

[shira]

38. Posts #15 and #28 are indisputable. These 'peace' activists are anything but.

Anyone denying the obvious is either a serial liar, true believer, or a 911 truther hysterical nutter.

[EFerrari]

40. No kidding. By the same logic, the Israeli government also has links to terrorists

and a history of supporting them. :crazy: