Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Istanbul on New Year’s Day to voice solidarity with Gaza, transforming the city center into a sea of Palestinian and Turkish flags as calls grew for an end to the ongoing bloodshed.
Despite freezing winter temperatures, demonstrators marched under clear skies toward the historic Galata Bridge, where the rally culminated with speeches, prayers, and performances. The gathering was held under the banner, “We will not stay silent, we will not forget Palestine,” reflecting the central message echoed throughout the march.
Organizers said more than 400 civil society groups took part in the event, highlighting the scale of public engagement. Among the prominent figures involved was Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who helped coordinate the rally through the Ilim Yayma Foundation.
According to police sources and state-run Anadolu Agency, the crowd swelled to an estimated 500,000 participants. The rally also featured a performance by Lebanese-born singer Maher Zain, who led the crowd in his widely known anthem “Free Palestine,” drawing emotional responses from attendees.
Addressing the gathering, Bilal Erdogan said the new year carried hopes not only for Turkey but also for Palestinians living under siege. He stressed that public conscience could not remain indifferent to suffering and injustice.
Turkey has remained one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and played a diplomatic role in brokering a recent ceasefire following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. However, that truce has proven fragile, with reports indicating continued violence and hundreds of Palestinian deaths since it came into effect.
The Istanbul rally underscored how strongly the Gaza conflict continues to resonate within Turkish society, even as the world ushered in a new year.
