Thousands rally in Istanbul in protest of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza
Istanbul (Quds News Network) – Hundreds of thousands of people marched today in a massive rally in Istanbul, Turkey, for an event titled “Mercy for our martyrs, support for Palestine, curse on Israel,” marking the first day of the New Year 2024.
Organized by Türkiye’s NGO TUGVA and National Will Platform, the event saw the participation of 308 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Turkey’s TRT agency saidm
Thousands of Turks take part in a massive public march in Istanbul on the first day of the New Year in support of Palestine, calling for an end to the aggression against the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/B6E6F0f4pu
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 1, 2024
Earlier at dawn, tens of thousands of worshippers performed absentee funeral prayers for the martyrs and Palestinians affected by Israeli attacks in various mosques of Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia Mosque, Eminonu New Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque, and Suleymaniye Mosque, united attendees in prayers.
Following the prayers, participants gathered in Hagia Sophia Square, chanting powerful slogans such as “Martyrs never die, the homeland will not be divided” and “Killer Israel, get out of Palestine.” The event also featured slogans expressing solidarity with Al Aqsa and Hamas.
Prominent figures like Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, former Turkish parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop, and Bilal Erdogan, president of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge, joined the march.
The participants remembered the 12 Turkish soldiers killed in the Claw-Lock Operation zone in northern Iraq and those who lost their lives in Gaza due to Israeli attacks.
After the prayers, the massive crowd proceeded to march towards the Galata Bridge, displaying signs in Turkish, Arabic, and English to voice their stance against Israeli actions in Palestine.
