Turkish civil society organisations under the National Will Platform, as well as Turkish football clubs have called on the public to attend a rally on Istanbul's Galata Bridge on January 1 to say “stop” to the massacre in Palestine.
Speaking to Anadolu, Hatice Yilmaz, chair of the board of the Türkiye Youth and Education Service Foundation (TURGEV), said the Palestinian cause represents a multi-layered area of responsibility for civil society.
Emphasising the importance of civil society organisations and the public acting as advocates for Palestine, Yilmaz said Türkiye has supported Palestine from the very beginning both diplomatically and internationally, as well as through humanitarian aid.
“Türkiye has taken responsibility for the Gaza issue. Israel is not complying with the ceasefire rules and is committing numerous violations in legal and humanitarian terms. At this point, showing a reaction is of great importance,” she said.
Drawing attention to the decline in mass demonstrations in Western countries following the ceasefire decision, Yilmaz added: “In Europe and the United States, public demonstrations have almost come to a halt. We will come together on January 1 to break this silence and keep awareness alive. Our aim is to ensure Palestine is not forgotten.”
Yilmaz said that, while individual and social media reactions continue, mass protests in Europe and the US have largely ceased, emphasising the importance of continuing demonstrations involving diverse societal segments.
Extending condolences to police officers martyred in an operation against the terrorist organisation Daesh in Yalova and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, Yilmaz said: “I invite all our citizens to unite on January 1, Thursday, on the Galata Bridge in support of Palestine and to honour our martyrs.”
‘Greatest threat to world peace and stability today is Israel’
Abdullah Ceylan, president of the ONDER Imam Hatip Schools Association, said the “January 1 call” is not limited to Palestine or Gaza but carries a universal meaning.
He noted that the call is made to all humanity for “world peace, global brotherhood, and harmony.”
“When we look back, we can clearly see that the greatest threat to world peace and stability today is Israel,” Ceylan said.
Pointing out that the world is approaching the end of 2025, when institutions and countries prepare yearbooks, Ceylan said: “Look at what Israel would present in its 2025 yearbook. Is there a single item that contributes to humanity or world peace? Absolutely not. Israel’s 2025 yearbook includes only the killing of innocents, burning children in tents, displacing millions, massacring tens of thousands, and attacking countries. There is blood, tears, and oppression.”
Ceylan said what is happening in Palestine reflects a nearly century-long policy of occupation and genocide, noting that this process has continued over the past two years before the eyes of the world.
Stressing that the call goes beyond those focused on Palestine and Gaza, Ceylan said it addresses parents concerned about their children’s future, educators, journalists, lawyers, and doctors.
“We are fighting the world’s biggest cancer cell, and it must be stopped,” he said.
Ceylan also criticised the silence of international institutions, saying Israel continues to attack Gaza despite the ceasefire, and arguing that the international system has collapsed, with only Türkiye objecting among the guarantor countries.
Noting that the march will be held for the third time to renew awareness of Palestine, Tulun, president of the Ilim Yayma Society, said being at Galata on January 1 is a human and moral duty, adding that participants will gather to support Gaza, call for freedom for Palestinians, honour martyrs, and condemn terrorism.
Turkish football clubs urge fans to join Istanbul rally
Turkish football clubs also voiced support for the Istanbul rally, with several club leaders calling on supporters to join the event.
Galatasaray Chair Dursun Ozbek called what is happening in Gaza a “test of conscience for humanity.”
“We will not get used to this silence,” Ozbek said in a video message shared on US social media platform X. “Standing shoulder to shoulder against oppression, we come together on the same side for humanity. On the morning of January 1, we will be at Galata Bridge to be the voice of the oppressed.”
Trabzonspor Chairman Ertugrul Dogan also urged fans to participate, saying the event, organised by the National Will Platform, represents “a stance, not just a march.”
“They said ceasefire, but mornings in Gaza still begin with bombs,” Dogan said, referring to Israel’s repeated violations of the October 10 ceasefire. “The Trabzonspor community stands with the oppressed against oppression.”
In a video message, Besiktas Chair Serdar Adali echoed the call, saying “the bloodshed and tears in Palestine have not stopped,” and urging unity in opposition to the violence.
Other Turkish Super Lig clubs, including Fenerbahce, Basaksehir, Konyaspor, Kayserispor, and Gaziantep FK, issued statements on social media expressing support for the rally and calling on the public to take part.
Several other sports clubs also called for support for the march.
