Pallone Requests State Department Investigation of Potential Ties Between IHH and Terrorist Organizations

July 30, 2010

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., (D-NJ), Friday asked Secretary of State Clinton to investigate possible ties between the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation and U.S. recognized terrorist organizations. The letter also asks that the State Department include in the investigation potential links between the IHH and the Turkish government. This follows after a letter signed by 87 U.S. Senators was sent to the White House, urging a similar request to investigate listing the IHH as a terrorist organization.

Possible connections between the IHH and terrorist organizations were evident prior to the flotilla incident and have received additional scrutiny since the attempted violation of the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Reports have also surfaced that the Turkish government supports the organization and its attempts to breach the Israeli blockade.

“If in fact these reports are true that IHH communicates and cooperates with known terrorist organizations, then the U.S. Government must take appropriate action in the interest of national security,” said Pallone. “We must get the full picture of how such an unfortunate international incident occurred and ensure that further provocations do not receive government support. We must be sure all of our questions are answered so we can continue to work against violence in the region.”