Civil society organizations in Mardin gathered on Friday to protest the ongoing genocide in Gaza, marking 1,000 days since the beginning of Israel's military campaign against the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The demonstration was held after Friday prayers outside Şakir Nuhoğlu Mosque and drew participation from representatives of civil society organizations, political party members, and local residents.

The joint press statement was delivered by Kadir Üründü, Term Spokesperson of the Mardin Civil Society Organizations Platform, who condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and criticized as the continued silence of the international community.

Addressing the crowd, Üründü said Gaza has endured 1,000 days of relentless attacks, displacement, and devastation since the launch of Israel's military operations following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation.

He stated that Israel, with the support of global powers led by the United States, had violated international law and ignored international agreements while carrying out attacks from land, air, and sea.

Üründü noted that the Israeli genocidal campaign has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of homes and civilian facilities, including schools, hospitals, water infrastructure, food warehouses, agricultural lands, and even United Nations facilities.He said approximately 100,000 Palestinians had been martyred and more than

200,000 injured during the assault, while millions have endured displacement, hunger, and deprivation.

"Despite all the destruction and suffering, the people of Gaza have refused to surrender," Üründü said. "They have chosen dignity and resistance rather than submission."

In his speech, Üründü described the Palestinian resistance in Gaza as one of the defining struggles of modern history.

He compared Gaza's steadfastness to historical examples of resistance, including the People of the Ditch, Prophet Ibrahim's stand against oppression, the battles of Badr and Uhud, the defense of Çanakkale, Türkiye's War of Independence, and the Bosnian resistance during the Balkan conflicts.

He argued that just as those struggles remain etched in collective memory, the sacrifices made by the people of Gaza would also be remembered for generations.

"The epic resistance of Gaza and the sacrifices made for a just cause will never be forgotten," he said. "This resistance will inspire oppressed peoples across the world."

The statement also criticized what organizers described as the inadequate response of many Muslim-majority governments to the suffering in Gaza.

Üründü said that while people of conscience from different countries, religions, and cultures had mobilized in support of Palestinians, official state-level action remained insufficient.

He argued that history would remember both those who stood in solidarity with Gaza and those governments that remained silent in the face of Israeli genocide and crimes against humanity.

"Unfortunately, the necessary response has not been shown at the state level, including by many of the 56 Islamic countries," he said.

The platform called for increased international pressure on Israel, urging governments to sever diplomatic, political, economic, and military ties with the country.

Referring to proceedings before the International Court of Justice, Üründü argued that Israel should be held accountable under international law and further isolated on the global stage.

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining consumer boycotts against Israeli products and companies perceived as supporting Israel's military actions.

"The boycott must be implemented carefully and persistently," he said. "Efforts to isolate Israel and end support for its policies must continue."

Concluding the statement, organizers called on the public, media outlets, artists, writers, and civil society groups to keep Gaza at the center of public attention.

They urged that the Palestinian struggle be reflected through literature, cinema, music, theatre, and other cultural works so that future generations would remember Gaza's historic resistance.

The demonstration ended with prayers for the people of Gaza and renewed calls for international solidarity with Palestinians facing continued bombardment, displacement, and humanitarian hardship.

Organizers vowed to continue raising awareness and mobilizing support, declaring that Gaza's people would not be forgotten despite the passage of 1,000 days since the start of the war. (ILKHA)