Türkiye: More than 300,000 people gathered in solidarity with Palestine

More than 300,000 people gathered on Sunday on the Yenikapı esplanade, a vast seaside square on the European side of Istanbul, to express their support for the Palestinian cause. This demonstration, one of the largest organized in Türkiye since the start of the conflict, brought together participants of all ages from the four corners of the city.

The demonstrators, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, chanted slogans calling for an immediate end to the bombing of Gaza. Diyanet President Ali Erbaş, present at the rally, strongly condemned “Israeli attacks against civilians” and called on the international community to act.

The event, called “Great Demonstration for Palestine”, was marked by collective prayers and readings from the Koran. NGO leaders and various Turkish public figures also took the floor to denounce the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Among the highlights of this gathering on this historic esplanade, usually used for major political meetings, an impressive human chain was formed, while children carried banners calling for peace. Many participants also shared poignant testimonies from their loved ones living in the Palestinian territories, giving a particularly human dimension to this massive mobilization.