The representatives from civil society platforms spanning Türkiye’s seven regions convened at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) on Tuesday to issue an urgent call for all political parties to unite in establishing a humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza.

The initiative seeks to address the catastrophic famine and suffering endured by millions of Palestinians under Israel’s relentless blockade and ongoing aggression.

The press conference brought together prominent leaders from the 7 Regional 7 Provincial Civil Society Platforms, representing a broad cross-section of Turkish society. Attendees included İsmail Mansur Özdemir and Mustafa Eminoğlu from Ankara, Alparslan Aslan from Antalya, İbrahim Özyürek from Bursa, Ali Sarıhan from Diyarbakır, Ersin Eryılmaz from Elâzığ, Recep Kara from İzmir, and Fatih Ceylan from Konya. Their presence underscored the unified resolve of Anatolia’s civil society to advocate for Gaza’s plight. Joining them were parliamentarians from the AK Party, HÜDA PAR, New Welfare Party, and Future Party, signaling cross-party support for the cause.

Gaziantep MP Şahzade Demir opened the conference with a stirring address, emphasizing the moral imperative to act swiftly in the face of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Mustafa Eminoğlu, speaking on behalf of the Anatolian Civil Society Platforms and the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform (ANFIDAP) (ANFİDAP), delivered a poignant and impassioned plea. He painted a grim picture of the situation in Gaza, where starvation claims lives hourly, particularly among children. “Every moment of inaction means another child succumbs to hunger,” Eminoğlu declared, condemning Israel’s actions as “absolute evil” and urging the TBMM, as the embodiment of Türkiye’s national will, to form a non-partisan Gaza Humanity Alliance to deliver immediate and sustained humanitarian aid.

“For 22 months, we have taken to the streets, organizing marches with millions of our citizens, but these efforts alone are no longer enough,” Eminoğlu said. “Words have become hollow; actions must now speak louder. The Grand National Assembly, representing the heart of our nation, must rise above partisan divides to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. The lives of two million people hang in the balance, and no justification can excuse inaction in the face of such a tragedy.”

Eminoğlu called for a unified front, urging all political parties—government and opposition alike—to come together on the shared ground of humanity. “This is not a moment for division but for solidarity,” he stressed. “A strong, collective will is essential to make this historic step toward alleviating the suffering in Gaza. The establishment of a humanitarian corridor is not just a logistical necessity but a moral obligation that Türkiye, as a nation of conscience, must fulfill.”

The civil society leaders announced plans for a major march to amplify their message, scheduled for Sunday, August 10, 2025. The march will begin at Güvenpark in Ankara and culminate in front of the TBMM, serving as a public call to action. “This march is not intended to criticize or marginalize any political party, whether in power or opposition,” Eminoğlu clarified. “Our sole aim is to galvanize the national will, ensuring that Gaza’s cry for help is answered with decisive action. We seek to bring all parties together under the banner of humanity to support Gaza, whose struggle is inseparable from the fate of our own nation.”

The platforms extended a heartfelt invitation to all citizens of Türkiye to join the march, emphasizing that the collective voice of the nation is vital to pressuring parliament to act. “The hearts of every region, every city, and every village in Türkiye beat in unison with Gaza,” Eminoğlu said. “We know that the suffering of the Palestinian people is intertwined with our own destiny. We stand here to deliver the will, compassion, and unwavering support of the Turkish nation to its elected representatives, our parliament, and our leaders.”

The call for a humanitarian corridor comes amid escalating international outrage over the dire conditions in Gaza, where Israel’s blockade has pushed millions to the brink of starvation and deprived them of basic necessities like food, water, and medical supplies. The civil society leaders underscored that Türkiye, with its historical commitment to justice and humanitarian causes, is uniquely positioned to lead global efforts to alleviate this crisis. By establishing a humanitarian corridor, Türkiye could set a precedent for international action, delivering life-saving aid to a population enduring unimaginable hardship.

As the press conference concluded, the representatives reiterated their demand for immediate, concrete steps. “A Gaza Humanity Alliance must be formed under the roof of the TBMM, free from partisan divides,” Eminoğlu urged. “This alliance must work tirelessly to ensure that humanitarian aid flows freely and consistently to Gaza. The time for action is now.”

Türkiye’s civil society now looks to its parliament to rise to this historic moment, forging a united front to confront the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and uphold the nation’s legacy as a beacon of compassion and justice. The upcoming march on August 10 promises to be a powerful demonstration of national solidarity, with the hope that it will catalyze the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to save countless lives in Gaza. (ILKHA)