Led by religious and civic leaders, the “We Do Not Remain Silent” rally drew participants from over 400 civil society groups.
ISTANBUL — Around 520,000 people gathered early Thursday on New Year’s Day at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge for a massive march in support of Palestine, organised under the umbrella of the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform.
The demonstration, held with the participation of more than 400 civil society organisations and led by the Turkish Youth Foundation (TUGVA), was carried out under the slogan “We won’t cower, we won’t keep quiet, we won’t forget Palestine.”
Participants called for an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Ahead of the event, citizens convened before dawn prayers at major mosques across Istanbul, including Ayasofya Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Suleymaniye and Eminonu New Mosque. Many carried Turkish and Palestinian flags as they gathered in mosque courtyards to show solidarity with Palestine.
Despite freezing temperatures, turnout was high. Extensive security measures were implemented, particularly around Sultanahmet Square, where participants were also offered hot refreshments.
Following the morning prayer, demonstrators marched on foot toward Galata Bridge, joined by ministers, senior officials and figures listed in the official state protocol. The programme officially began at 8.30 am local time (0530 GMT).
A large banner depicting “Hanzala,” the iconic figure created by late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali and closely associated with the Palestinian cause, was hung on a building behind the main press platform.
The event also featured performances by internationally known artists and musicians, including Lebanese-Swedish singer Maher Zain, Turkish artist Esat Kabakli, and the band Grup Yuruyus.
‘We began the new year by praying for Palestine’
Speaking to members of the press during the march, Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Ilim Yayma Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a member of TUGVA’s High Advisory Board, said the new year had begun with prayers for Palestine and that gathering at mosques on the first morning of the year carried strong spiritual meaning.
Erdogan said it was important to recognise the moral and spiritual strength of meeting in mosques at dawn and offering collective prayers for the new year, adding that the nation believed deeply in this unity.
“On the one hand, we are praying for the oppressed in Palestine. On the other hand, of course, we are commemorating our martyrs. At the same time, we are praying together that the year 2026 will bring goodness for our entire nation and for the oppressed Palestinians,” he said.
“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated, everyone who raised their hands in prayer, and everyone who supported these prayers,” Erdogan added.
Reflecting on the growing turnout at the annual event, Erdogan said participation had increased each year, demonstrating the strength of shared values across society.
“Every year, compared to the previous one, we feel that this morning is marked by broader participation and that, as a nation, we sense how strong our shared common ground truly is. This makes us very happy,” he said.
Expressing hope for the year ahead, Erdogan added: “God willing, may the Almighty grant this nation the joy of seeing this stance as a source of pride this year, grant freedom to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and grant us the freedom of Jerusalem.”
TUGVA chair delivers strong address
Speaking at the demonstration, TUGVA Chair Ibrahim Besinci said the scale of the turnout reflected a collective moral stance against the ongoing violence in Palestine.
“Today, there are hundreds of thousands here. There is an honourable nation standing upright against this genocide,” Besinci said.
Addressing the crowd on Galata Bridge, Besinci said: “Today, there are hundreds of thousands here. There is an honourable nation standing upright against this genocide. There are the prayers of the oppressed and the legacy of our martyrs.”
Describing Galata Bridge as a “tribune of conscience,” Besinci said it had transformed into a moral platform for people from different cities, languages and walks of life.
“From this noble tribune, I salute with all my heart the innocent and courageous Palestinian people, the noble sons of Gaza, the steadfast hearts of the West Bank, and the true owners of East Jerusalem,” he said.
Besinci also commemorated three police officers — Ilker Pehlivan, Turgut Kulunk and Yasin Kocyigit — who were killed three days earlier during an operation against the Daesh terrorist organisation in the northwestern province of Yalova.
Citing figures on the devastation in Gaza, Besinci said that over the past 27 months, 210,000 tons of bombs had been dropped on Gaza, 70,000 civilians had been killed, 2,600 families had been completely wiped from the population registry, and 5,000 families had only a single surviving member.
He added that 45,000 Palestinians had undergone amputations and 12,000 Palestinians had been detained.
“In other words, before the eyes of the entire world, a people has been erased not just from the map, but from life,” Besinci said.
Sports figures voice support
On Wednesday, a joint platform of civil society groups held a news conference at the headquarters of the Turkish Youth Foundation. During the briefing, the chairs of Besiktas, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, along with Fenerbahce board member Ertan Torunogulları, publicly expressed their support for the march. Several other sports clubs also issued calls encouraging public participation.
At the same briefing, Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Ilim Yayma Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a member of TUGVA’s High Advisory Board, said that “more than 70,000 civilians and at least 20,000 children have been killed in the Gaza genocide since October 2023.”
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 414 people have been killed and more than 1,100 injured since the Oct. 10 ceasefire deal that halted Israel’s two-year war.
‘Roots’ installation highlights cultural resistance
As part of the programme, prayers for Palestinians continued from a stage set up on Galata Bridge.
In addition, an art installation titled “Roots” was unveiled on the bridge to draw attention to what organisers described as the targeting of culture and art in Gaza.
According to a statement from TUGVA, the installation was designed to symbolise memory and resistance in the face of cultural destruction. A olive tree rising from rubble represented deeply rooted resistance and an attempt to erase collective memory, while overturned chairs, scattered musical instruments, books and a camera symbolised efforts to silence cultural production.
The phrase “We Will Stay Here,” written in three languages, underscored the determination of cultural and human resistance. — Anadolu Agency
