Istanbul/Tel Aviv : Three planes carrying hundreds of activists who were detained this week after trying to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip arrived on Thursday in Istanbul after their release from Israeli custody.
They were greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, other Turkish politicians and hundreds of supporters.
Most of those released were Turks.
A spokesman for Israel's Foreign Ministry had earlier said Israel had deported most of the activists detained in Monday's interception in international waters of six aid ships bound for the Gaza Strip.
The people injured in the raid had already been flown to Ankara in air ambulances while the bodies of the nine people who were killed on Monday were also on board the planes that took off from Tel Aviv.
The UN's insisting on an immediate lift of the Gaza strip blockade but Israel's still defiant – In fact, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to apologise for Sunday's deadly raid and called Israel a victim of international hypocrisy.
"Once again, Israel faces hypocrisy and a biased rush to judgement. I'm afraid this isn't the first time. Last year, Israel acted to stop Hamas from firing thousands of rockets into Israel's towns and cities. Hamas was firing on our civilians while hiding behind civilians," said Netyanyahu.
"The international community cannot afford an Iranian port in the Mediterranean. Fifteen years ago, I cautioned about an Iranian development that has come to pass. People now recognise that danger. Today, I warn of this impending willingness to enable Iran to establish a navy port right next to Israel, right next to Europe. The same countries that are criticising us today should know that they would be targeted tomorrow,’” added Netyanyahu.
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