Hundreds of people in Istanbul have marked the first anniversary of a deadly raid on a Turkish aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip. One year ago, a ship loaded with aid for the impoverished Strip was intercepted by Israeli commandos to lethal consequences.
Crowds marched to Istanbul's Taksim Square, a central plaza, to commemorate the nine slain activists with songs, speeches and prayers.
Last year's raid plunged ties between Israel and Turkey to a new low. The Turkish government has said it will not block a new flotilla sailing to the Gaza Strip next month.
Activist, Oblama Saruha, said she was arrested by Israel on the last aid flotilla and put under house arrest.
She said, "I was arrested in the last flotilla, I was also under house arrest, I was not allowed to leave the state for three months, but it didn't break my spirit and I don't feel afraid at all, no fear no more."