Turkish Gaza Aid Vessel Return to Istanbul
The ship, Mavi Marmara, spent the past seven months undergoing repairs at a port on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. As it arrived, many in the crowd shouted “Allah is great.”
Israel's attack on the vessel that was attempting to deliver aid supplies to the Gaza Strip left nine people dead, the majority of them Turkish citizens.
Turkey's foreign minister repeated that demand on Saturday, while stressing that his country is seeking improved relations with Israel.
Turkish and Israeli diplomats held “fence-mending talks” in Geneva earlier this month, but the talks failed to lead to a resumption of diplomatic relations.
Israel has defended its raid on the Turkish ship, insisting its commandos opened fire in self-defense