Thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district on Sunday to march toward the U.S. Consulate General, condemning U.S. support for Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Led by civil society groups and activists, the demonstrators urged the international community to intervene in light of escalating civilian casualties, destruction, and humanitarian distress in Gaza.

Organized by the Gaza Solidarity Platform, the protest drew significant support from various NGOs, including Özgür-Der, the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation, and the Free Jerusalem Platform. Participants gathered at the Mahmut Çavuş Mosque following afternoon prayers and then marched to the U.S. Consulate, displaying banners and chanting slogans critical of both U.S. and Israeli policies in the region. The marchers called for solidarity with Gaza and pressed for a stronger response from Muslim-majority nations.

Speeches Condemn U.S. Policies, Urge Unified Action

In front of the U.S. Consulate, Rıdvan Kaya, President of Özgür-Der, delivered a speech criticizing U.S. support for Israel, referring to it as a “global enabler of oppression.” Kaya connected current policies impacting Palestinian civilians to past grievances, mentioning injustices against Native Americans and African slaves, as well as U.S. actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He argued that American military, economic, and political support has emboldened Israel in ways that disregard human rights and international law. Kaya also condemned recent Israeli strikes on Gaza, which have resulted in high civilian casualties, and urged a firm international response to address the humanitarian crisis.

“No matter what they do, they can never subjugate the Palestinian people,” Kaya declared, emphasizing the resilience of Palestinian resistance. Following Kaya, journalist Zülküf Yel echoed his criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, describing the current situation as a “genocide.” He expressed frustration over the perceived lack of action from international and Muslim leaders, calling for a united response to address the crisis.

Calls for Legislative Action and International Solidarity

Speakers highlighted recent legislative efforts in Türkiye, referencing a proposed bill by HÜDA PAR in the Turkish Parliament aimed at prosecuting dual citizens who involve in Israeli genocidal aggression in Gaza. The proposal seeks to hold individuals accountable and prevent foreign fighters from joining the conflict on Israel’s side. Yel encouraged Turkish parliamentarians to support the bill regardless of party affiliations and emphasized the need for accountability in actions related to the genocide.

Yel further criticized ongoing trade with Israel, describing it as complicity in the suffering of Palestinians. He called on the Turkish government and other Muslim-majority countries to sever economic ties with Israel, asserting that words alone are insufficient.

Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Concerns

As Israeli genocide in Gaza continues, humanitarian groups have raised alarms over extensive civilian tolls, with thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and widespread displacement. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have severely damaged infrastructure, leaving residents without access to essential services like water, electricity, and adequate medical care. Despite calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations, diplomatic efforts remain stalled.

In Istanbul, protesters voiced collective frustration, demanding immediate action from governments worldwide to address the humanitarian crisis and halt the ongoing Israeli genocide. The demonstration underscored public support in Türkiye for Palestinian rights and calls for a stronger stance from Turkish and Muslim-majority nations.

An Appeal for Unity and Intervention

As the event concluded, speakers urged for unity among Islamic nations. Yel criticized what he described as “empty words” and called for concrete actions to oppose Israeli policies, stressing the urgency of the situation. “What are you waiting for?” he asked, urging leaders to awaken to the crisis in Gaza and act decisively.

With thousands gathered in support and numerous NGOs joining the movement, the protest in Sarıyer represents a growing call within Türkiye for substantive international intervention and a reassessment of foreign policy positions on the Gaza genocide. (ILKHA)