HERO’S WELCOME FOR TURKISH ACTIVISTS

Hundreds of activists deported from Israel following a bloody raid by Israeli commandos on a pro-Palestinian flotilla returned to a hero’s welcome in Turkey early Thursday. Nine bodies were on the first plane. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and several Turkish lawmakers welcomed them at the airport after Turkey pressured Israel to release the detainees, most of whom are Turkish. Others were from Arab countries, Europe and the United States. A few thousand jubilant relatives and supporters, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, burst into applause outside the airport, chanting “God is Great!” They later walked to the perimeters near the tarmac to see their loved ones. Another crowd celebrated their return in downtown Istanbul. “Turkey is proud of you!” the crowd chanted as they shouted “Down with Israel!”