Thousands of protesters gathered in Batman, southeastern Türkiye, to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemn the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.

The demonstration was organized by various non-governmental organizations and was attended by political party representatives, scholars, and concerned citizens.

Taking place in Batman’s Atatürk Park, the event became a strong statement of unity, with attendees waving flags, chanting slogans, and expressing their commitment to the Palestinian cause amid what many described as escalating atrocities by the Israeli occupation regime.

The Batman rally saw a diverse turnout, with representatives from various political parties and NGOs standing together. The gathering underscored a growing sentiment across Türkiye, where numerous cities have witnessed similar demonstrations expressing support for Palestine and condemning the genocide and massacres of Israeli occupation regime in Gaza and Lebanon. Citizens voiced frustration with the ineffective international responses to the crisis, calling for more concrete action against Israel and immediate support for Palestinian civilians under siege.

The event began with a recitation of the Qur'an, followed by an address by Mullah Mehmet Ali Altun, a member of ITTIHADUL ULEMA, who stressed the historical and religious significance of Jerusalem. Altun highlighted that “the struggle for Jerusalem is the common struggle of Muslims," calling on attendees to remember that liberating Jerusalem is a duty shared by all Muslims. “Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are paying a great price at the cost of their lives,” he declared, underscoring that the cause of Jerusalem has united Muslims throughout history and must continue to do so today.

Altun condemned the silence of the international community, saying: “Our silence on these genocides will turn into an intellectual problem for Muslims worldwide.” He called on everyone present to support the Palestinian resistance efforts and warned that the issue was not just a regional crisis but a moral imperative for Muslims everywhere. “We must continue our struggle vigorously until the shackles on Jerusalem are broken,” Altun said, stressing that resistance must persist until full freedom and justice are achieved.

Following Altun’s address, Ramazan Çelikal delivered a speech on behalf of the organizing NGOs, voicing the frustrations of many in the crowd. Çelikal criticized what he described as the international community's tepid response to Israel's actions, accusing global leaders and institutions of issuing "weak, meaningless statements" without enforcing tangible consequences for Israel's continued aggression. "For over a year, we wake up every morning to news of new massacres in Gaza," he said. He added that Israel’s actions in Lebanon and Yemen further demonstrate its broader territorial ambitions.

Quoting a recent statement from HAMAS, Çelikal emphasized that condemnation alone is insufficient and that leaders must act decisively. “Israel does not care about mere condemnations,” he stated, echoing the sentiment of many present. He reiterated HAMAS's call for the Arab and Muslim world to sever relations with Israel, urging Islamic countries to engage in a comprehensive confrontation against the Zionist enemy.

As the crowd’s fervor grew, Çelikal expanded his message to call for an economic and diplomatic boycott of Israel. "We do not want oil to flow from our country to the Israeli regime,” he proclaimed, receiving loud cheers from the crowd. “Whatever the agreements made, we want this flow stopped due to the blatant human rights violations and the ongoing genocide.” He also demanded an end to any trade relations with Israel, emphasizing that Turkish companies should refrain from engaging with Israeli firms, either directly or indirectly.

He criticized the presence of Israeli companies in Türkiye, referencing a recent incident in Spain where an Israeli company was boycotted, urging Turkish authorities to take similar measures. Çelikal went on to condemn the transportation of goods by Israeli-affiliated ships from Turkish ports, such as Istanbul and Mersin, calling for greater scrutiny to prevent these interactions from supporting Israel. "We do not want to see Israeli lorries on our streets or their ships in our harbors," he asserted.

Toward the end of his statement, Çelikal made an impassioned plea for Türkiye to close its Israeli embassy, calling it a necessary step to express Türkiye’s disapproval of Israel's ongoing actions. “Enough is enough,” he said, urging the Turkish government to take “clear, decisive, and honorable new steps that the Zionist regime will understand.” The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause, signaling widespread support for Çelikal’s call to remove diplomatic presence from Israeli officials in Ankara.

Çelikal and Altun both called on Islamic leaders worldwide to “stand up for Allah” and take a firm stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza and beyond. Çelikal stressed that only a unified, forceful response from Muslim countries would be effective in deterring further atrocities. He stated that “the only language Netanyahu understands is power and resistance” and warned that Israel’s actions, if unchecked, could escalate further into other parts of the Islamic world.

The gathering concluded with a prayer for Gaza, as attendees raised their hands, asking for peace and protection for the Palestinian people and an end to the genocide. The crowd dispersed peacefully, but the message from Batman was clear: Türkiye’s support for Palestine remains strong, and the demands for decisive action against Israel are louder than ever. (ILKHA)