İsmail Beheşti’s journey to the Port of Istanbul was marked by hope and determination. As he approached the dock where his ship, the Conscience, lay moored, he envisioned a mission that would carry humanitarian aid and volunteers to Gaza, aiming to break what many consider an illegal blockade imposed by Israel. However, his aspirations were abruptly halted when security forces denied him entry, citing a blacklist that barred him from accessing his own vessel.
This incident is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by Beheşti and his fellow activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, who have been striving since April to deliver essential aid to Gaza. Despite securing a flag for the Conscience and garnering support from U.N. rapporteurs, Turkish authorities have consistently obstructed the ship’s departure. The coalition’s efforts echo a long history of attempts to breach the blockade, dating back to the tragic events of 2010 when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara, resulting in the deaths of several activists.
The mission holds particular significance for Beheşti, whose father was killed during that fateful flotilla attempt. In response to the ongoing restrictions, he and other organizers initiated a sit-in at the port, chaining themselves to the entrance as a form of protest against the Turkish government’s actions. Their legal team has also filed an administrative lawsuit and a criminal complaint against the Port Authority, alleging misconduct in obstructing their humanitarian mission.
Despite Turkey’s vocal support for Palestine on the international stage, its actions tell a different story. Gönül Tol, director of the Middle East Institute’s Turkey program, suggests that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s domestic political challenges have influenced this contradictory stance. With recent electoral setbacks and a struggling economy reliant on foreign investments, Erdoğan appears hesitant to jeopardize Turkey’s relationships with Western and Gulf nations.
Erdoğan’s public rhetoric often emphasizes solidarity with Palestine, reflecting a strong pro-Palestinian sentiment among his constituents. However, the reality is more complex, as Turkey continues to facilitate trade with Israel, including the transport of Azerbaijani oil through its territory. This duality has led to perceptions of hypocrisy, with Tol noting, “His words don’t really match his actions.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has faced numerous bureaucratic hurdles in its quest to deliver aid. After an initial plan to set sail in April was thwarted when Guinea-Bissau withdrew its flag, the coalition sought support from various countries, including Venezuela and Nicaragua. Meanwhile, the cargo ship Anadolu managed to deliver aid to an Egyptian port, where it was subsequently transported to Gaza, albeit without the symbolic impact of a passenger vessel.
Throughout the summer, negotiations with Turkish authorities continued, yet the Conscience remained docked. Even after agreeing to depart empty and avoid Turkish nationals on board, the ship’s departure was repeatedly delayed. Beheşti’s request for departure papers—a routine process—was met with silence and further inspections, only to be informed later that the Ministry of Transportation had issued orders to prevent the ship from sailing.
Legal representatives from the Worldwide Lawyers Association (WOLAS) have sought clarity on the port’s refusal to issue departure papers. Their formal request for documentation was met with silence, prompting the filing of a lawsuit that accuses the Turkish government of obstructing the ship for political reasons. The lawsuit highlights concerns that Turkey’s actions violate international law, particularly provisions that protect the freedom of navigation and humanitarian aid delivery.
As Beheşti continues his sit-in, he has appealed to various authorities for intervention, yet the lack of response leads him to a troubling conclusion: “The Turkish government has two faces. They have to show themselves to support Palestinians. But at the same time, they have a different agenda with Israel.”
This ongoing saga underscores the complexities of international politics, humanitarian efforts, and the challenges faced by activists striving to deliver aid in a fraught geopolitical landscape. The situation remains fluid, with the Conscience’s fate hanging in the balance as activists continue to advocate for the rights of those in Gaza. The struggle for humanitarian access is not merely a logistical challenge; it embodies the broader fight for justice and solidarity in the face of political maneuvering and international relations.