Thousands of demonstrators took part in the "March of Determination for Gaza" in the Turkish capital, Ankara, with the participation of civil society organizations affiliated with the Ankara Platform for Solidarity with Palestine. The march began in front of the Melike Hatun Mosque.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Oraloğlu, members of the Turkish parliament, and Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin participated in the march.
Protesters carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against Israel's war of extermination and starvation in Gaza. They also held up signs reading "Humanity is dying just a step away from us. Death to Israel" and "Muslims, unite."
The marchers crossed Ataturk Street after starting in front of the Melike Hatun Mosque and ended at the July 15 National Will Square in the center of the capital.
In a speech during the event, Harun Özçelik, a member of the Ankara Platform for Solidarity with Palestine, said that what has been happening in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has once again exposed the bankruptcy of the international system. He noted that "more than 70,000 people have been brutally killed in Gaza in nearly two years, while tens of thousands remain under the rubble or missing."
He pointed out that the illegal blockade imposed on Gaza for 20 years has reached unbearable levels, and that nearly two million civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, are suffering from hunger and disease. He added, "This scene makes the conscience of humanity bleed. Yet, there is hope. The global conscience is beginning to move."
He stressed that "the thousands of activists who participated in the Steadfastness Flotilla raised the dignity of humanity," adding, "This civilian flotilla, which included volunteers from 46 countries and representing various languages, religions, and ethnicities, has refocused attention on Gaza despite Israeli piracy."
Istanbul
A massive march, attended by thousands of demonstrators, set off from the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul to condemn the Israeli genocide in Gaza and support the Freedom Flotilla.
In Istanbul's Eminonu district, the Children Around the World Association organized an exhibition titled "March to Freedom," which featured paintings by children in solidarity with the children of Gaza.
Izmir
Many Turks in the western province of Izmir expressed their solidarity with the Global Steadfastness Flotilla after the Israeli attack on it, by setting out in ships and boats into the sea, flying the flags of Palestine and Turkey.
The event was called by the Palestine Support Platform, and the ships headed to Republic Square in the city. Members of the Izmir Civil Society Forum gathered in the square, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and expressing their support for the boats.
Elazig
In Elazig province (east), a large number of citizens gathered in front of the Izzet Pasha Mosque, at the invitation of the Al-Aqsa Forum and several civil society organizations. They marched toward Republic Square, carrying Palestinian flags and banners in support of Gaza. The participants chanted anti-Israel slogans, in addition to occasionally chanting takbeers.
Caesarea
In Kayseri province (central Turkey), the city's sports company, in cooperation with the Palestine Solidarity Platform, organized an event in the city's Republic Square, with the participation of 500 recreational bicycles, to express their Platform, organized an event in the city's Republic Square, with the participation of 500 recreational bicycles, to express their solidarity with Palestine and the Steadfastness Flotilla.
Other states
In Van Province (east), residents of the city gathered in boats and canoes in Lake Van, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags.
A march was held in the center of Konya province (central Turkey) in support of the Global Resilience Fleet, with the participation of a number of civil society organizations.
In Eskişehir province (northwest), a march began at the central courtyard of the Reşadiye Mosque, under the title "Free Palestine from the River to the Sea," under the supervision of the Eskişehir Brotherhood Platform.
The Palestine Support Platform in Çanakkale province organized a similar solidarity event titled "Determined, We Stand with Resilience," with widespread participation from local residents.
Similar demonstrations were also held in the provinces of Ordu, Bayburt, Duzce, Edirne, Erzurum and Siirt.
As of Wednesday evening, Israeli authorities seized 42 ships belonging to the Global Steadfastness Flotilla as they sailed in international waters toward Gaza, arresting hundreds of international activists on board, and announcing the start of their deportation on Friday.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving 67,139 martyrs and 169,583 wounded, most
