TURKEY, THE GLOBAL MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, AND THE GAZA FLOTILLA Steven G. Merley Abstract: This report presents the results of an investigation into the role played by the Global Muslim Brotherhood and its Turkish allies in the May 2010 Gaza flotilla which involved a violent altercation between passengers on one of the ships and Israeli naval forces. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs המרכז הירושלמי לענייני ציבור ומדינה )ע"ר( © 2011 Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs 13 Tel Hai Street, Jerusalem, Israel Tel. 972-2-561-9281, Fax. 972-2-561-9112 Email:
[email protected] www.jcpa.org ISBN 978-965-218-095-7 Production Director: Adam Shay Editor: Sharon Blass Graphic Design: www.ramijaki.co.il • Rami & Jacky / Elisheva Cohen Cover Photo: The Turkish ship Mavi Marmara taking part in the Gaza flotilla (AFP). Photos: AP, AFP Cihan News Agency Note: All quotations used in this report were either cited verbatim from their sources or translated where necessary. The misspellings and other linguistic errors that appear in these references are the result of either translations by non-native English speakers or errors in the source documents. CONTENTS GLOSSARY 5 CONCLUSIONS 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 13 Background 13 Turkish/MB Network 15 Demonizing Israel 17 Conferences 17 Demonstrations 17 Press Conferences 18 Legal Actions 18 Aid Campaigns 18 Support of the Turkish Government 19 Relationship to Hamas 19 Pre-Flotilla Support 20 Post-Flotilla Support 21 Statements 21 Role of Kuwait 22 IUMS Meeting 23 Chart 1: Turkish/MB Network 24 THE REPORT 25 Introduction