Hundreds of thousands rally in Istanbul on New Year’s Day to support Palestine

ISTANBUL (AA) – Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day to express solidarity with Palestine.

Participants marched from mosques across the historic peninsula and beyond after early morning prayers, beating the wintry chill and carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags. The event was organized by the National Will Platform, a coalition of 308 NGOs.

The demonstrators, including the elderly, women, and children, prayed for an end to the Israeli massacre in Palestine before assembling on the bridge, which spans the iconic Golden Horn, to demand international action against the ongoing atrocities.

In the middle of the bridge, where extensive security measures were taken, a huge banner was present reading: “Stop Genocide in Gaza” in Turkish and English, along with Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Boats also supported the protest from the sea.

In addition, “ForFairFuture” stickers were placed on a platform set up for the press, and giant screens and a sound system were also set up in the area.

Several Turkish and foreign NGO members and human rights activists also gave speeches during the event.

Speaking at the rally, Bilal Erdogan, the chair of the national foundation’s board of trustees, condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, marking the 453rd day of the genocide. He recalled Israel’s killing of infants, children, women, the elderly, doctors, journalists, and aid workers, as well as targeting schools, mosques, and churches.

The “masks” of the West have fallen in Gaza, he said, asking: “Where are human rights? Where are children’s rights? Where are women’s rights? Where is press freedom, freedom of expression? All Western values died in Gaza and the West.”

Ibrahim Besinci, another NGO leader, added: “Children who should be tired from playing are (rather) exhausted from war. Mothers’ eyes have no tears left, and fathers have no strength in their knees. Every square meter of Gaza has been watered with the blood of martyrs.”

Protesters chanted slogans: “Murderer Israel will be held accountable” and “Martyrs do not die.”

The Israeli army has waged a genocidal war on Gaza, killing over 45,500 people, mostly women and children, since October 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.