More than 450,000 people gathered on Istanbul ’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day to show their solidarity with Palestine.
According to Turkish media Anadolu, the massive rally, organized by the National Will Platform—a coalition of 308 NGOs—drew elders, women, and children who carried Turkish and Palestinian flags, prayed for peace, and called for international action to end what they described as ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

The event, which featured speeches from human rights activists and NGO leaders, was marked by strong criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. A giant banner displayed at the center of Istanbul ‘s bridge read, “Stop Genocide in Gaza,” in both Turkish and English. Boats with flags also joined the demonstration.

Protesters chanted slogans such as “Murderer Israel will be held accountable” and “Martyrs do not die,” while others displayed more vulgar imagery including a decapitated human-shaped figure painted in Israeli flag colors with “Terrorist Israel” written on it and a bloodstained doll holding a sign, reading: “Baby Killer.”


Bilal Erdoğan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son and chairman of a foundation, condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of targeting vulnerable populations, including children, women, and humanitarian workers, and of attacking schools, mosques, and churches.

“Where are human rights? Where are children’s rights? Where are women’s rights? Where is press freedom, freedom of expression? All Western values died in Gaza and the West,” Erdoğan said.

Ibrahim Besinci, another prominent NGO leader, said, “Children who should be tired from playing are (rather) exhausted from war. Mothers’ eyes have no tears left, and fathers have no strength in their knees. Every square meter of Gaza has been watered with the blood of martyrs.”