A group gathered in Sultanahmet Square to support Palestine. The group members carried signs that read “Free Palestine”, “Don’t forget the boycott, don’t be a party to oppression” and “Our only agenda is Gaza”. The prosecutors, who were adorned with Turkish and Palestinian flags, tried to make their voices heard by chanting slogans such as “Down with Israel” and “Down with the USA”.
In the program, the Quran was read and prayers were said for those who lost their lives in Palestine. In his speech, Palestine Initiative President Ümit Sönmez shared the information that 39,480 people have been martyred in the 300 days since October 7, 2023. He emphasized that approximately 16,000 children, 10,000 women and at least 10,000 people are missing among these losses.
Sönmez stated that more than 91,000 people were injured as a result of Israel’s attacks on Palestine. He also stated that according to World Health Organization data, only 16 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza were able to provide partial service and that Israel had carried out 496 attacks on these health facilities in 300 days.
Sönmez also mentioned Israel’s attacks and destruction of temples in Gaza, stating that 610 of the temples in Gaza were destroyed. He also mentioned that 165 journalists working in Gaza were martyred as a result of Israeli attacks.
During the protest, Sönmez called on the world countries to take the necessary steps against Israel and demanded that international institutions and organizations work more effectively. Finally, he emphasized that the boycott is an important weapon of the people and stated that the boycott will continue.
