A former US diplomat and army colonel has called for a cessation of US funding and weapons supplies to Israel. This call was made during her participation in a massive rally in southern Türkiye.
The rally, dubbed the “Freedom Convoy for Palestine,” was organized by Türkiye’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH). It commenced from Istanbul on Sunday and saw participants protesting Israel’s attacks on Palestine at the Incirlik Air Base in Adana. This base is home to several US forces.
The convoy attracted representatives and members of civil society groups from various cities in Türkiye, as well as public supporters. Among the protestors was Mary Annette Wright, a 77-year-old retired US Army colonel and former US diplomat. Wright, who resigned from the US government 20 years ago in opposition to the war on Iraq, has since been working with groups worldwide to challenge US policies that she believes are causing harm globally.
Wright expressed her admiration for IHH’s ability to mobilize such a large number of people in Türkiye, noting that a convoy of 5,000 cars and buses had traveled all the way to Adana.
Herman Reksten, a captain representing a freedom flotilla from Oslo, announced plans to sail again to Gaza to challenge the blockade. He emphasized the importance of action and voiced his disappointment over the bans on freedom of speech in other European cities.
The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel on October 7. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, losing their lives. Another 159 Palestinians have been killed and 2,250 wounded by Israeli forces across the West Bank in the same period. The Israeli death toll stands at nearly 1,600, according to official figures.
News ID : 2594