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

January 1, 2025 at 11:05 am

An aerial view shows participants starting to gather for a solidarity demonstration for the Palestinian people in Gaza, organized by the National Will Platform at Galata Bridge in Istanbul, Turkiye on January 01, 2025. [Ali Atmaca – Anadolu Agency]

Hundreds of thousands gathered at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day to express solidarity with Palestine, Anadolu reports.

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

The demonstrators 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.

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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.

Protesters chanted slogans such as “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 a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

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.

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