Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh Before he was assassinated in Tehran, the capital of Iran, he called for support for the Palestinian people. This call was met with a huge response in Istanbul.
The rally, led by the Palestine Support Platform, Hagia Sophia Square The crowd gathered in order to support Gaza and express their reaction against Israel and flocked to the square from different points of the historical peninsula. The streets and side streets around Eminönü, Gülhane Park and Küçükayasofya were filled with the density of citizens.
The crowd that gathered held a large demonstration, spilling out of Hagia Sophia Square onto the surrounding streets and avenues. The participants carried Turkish and Palestinian flags as well as The Word of Tawhid They came to the square with flags and keffiyehs. They chanted enthusiastic slogans for the freedom of Palestine.
- “Free Palestine from the river to the sea”
- “Murderer USA, get out of Palestine”
- “Murderer Israel, get out of Palestine”
- “Let our blood and lives be sacrificed for Al-Aqsa”
- “Greetings to Hamas, continue the resistance”
Also attracted attention with banners written in Turkish, Arabic and English. These banners included the following statements:
- “There is genocide in Gaza”
- “Stop the Israeli genocide”
- “Let the massacre end, let the children not die”
Walking and Safety Precautions
Volunteers from the Free Jerusalem Platform and the Prophet Lovers Foundation organized a spirited march from Beyazıt Square to Hagia Sophia Square, during which posters of the assassinated Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh were unfurled.
Due to this action, tram services were stopped in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul. Security measures were increased in front of some international chain restaurants. The crowd showed their reaction by whistling in front of these restaurants.
The marching group joined another group in Hagia Sophia Square for a larger show of support, once again demonstrating the people’s commitment and resistance to Palestine.
