Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Istanbul on Thursday to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Protesters waved flags and voiced concern over ongoing violence, despite an official ceasefire.
The demonstration took place on the Galata Bridge, with participants braving freezing temperatures. It is considered one of the largest pro-Palestine rallies in Istanbul since the recent conflict escalated.
Civil society groups under the National Will Platform organized the march, with support from Turkish football clubs. Protesters carried banners with the slogan: “We won’t remain silent, we won’t forget Palestine.”
Police and Anadolu news agency sources reported that around 500,000 people attended the rally. Over 400 civil society organizations participated, reflecting widespread public concern about Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza.
Speakers at the rally emphasized moral responsibility. Galatasaray football club chair Dursun Ozbek called Israel’s actions a “moral reckoning for the world,” urging the public not to normalize silence. “Standing shoulder to shoulder against oppression, we come together on the same side for humanity,” he said in a video message shared on X.
Lebanese-born singer Maher Zain performed “Free Palestine,” energizing the crowd and reinforcing the protest’s message.
Many participants criticized the ceasefire as fragile. They said the pause in hostilities has not ended the suffering of Palestinians. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire, and humanitarian aid remains largely blocked from entering Gaza.
Al Jazeera correspondent Sinem Koseoglu noted that the rally united people across political lines, including both AK Party supporters and opposition voters. Demonstrators demanded sustained international action rather than symbolic measures.
Turkiye has taken a firm stance on the crisis, cutting trade with Israel and closing ports and airspace. The government helped broker the ceasefire in October, but public sentiment shows dissatisfaction with the ongoing violence and delays in aid reaching Gaza.
In other related news also read Pakistan Eyes Istanbul To Repair Ties With Afghan Taliban
The Istanbul rally highlighted strong public support for Palestine and reflected growing pressure for global action to end the humanitarian crisis.
