Protests against companies accused of supporting the Israeli occupation continued in Istanbul this week, as activists gathered in Bağcılar Square for the 24th consecutive Saturday demonstration organized by the Resistance Movement.

The event, held after the evening prayer, began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and drew activists, local residents, and supporters of the Palestinian cause. Journalist and author Mehmet Zülküf Yel addressed the gathering, calling on the public to maintain support for Gaza and to continue standing against injustice and oppression.

Speaking to the crowd, Yel said the weekly demonstrations were intended to ensure that the suffering of the Palestinian people remains visible and that support for Gaza does not diminish amid shifting global attention.

Mehmet Zülküf Yel

“Standing against oppression is not a choice—it is a moral obligation,” Yel said. “Whenever innocent people, especially women and children, are subjected to violence, displacement, and injustice, every person of conscience has a responsibility to speak out. The issue before us today is one of humanity, dignity, and honor.”

Drawing historical parallels between the tragedy of Karbala and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Yel argued that future generations would judge how people responded to the suffering unfolding in Palestine.

Recalling the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions, he noted that Muslims have long questioned why so many remained silent in the face of injustice at Karbala. He suggested that similar questions would one day be asked about the international response to the devastation in Gaza.

“Karbala was besieged, and today Gaza is besieged,” Yel said. “Then, people were deprived of water; today, Gaza’s people struggle to access the most basic necessities. The tragedy of innocent children being killed remains one of the most painful common threads between these two moments in history.”

Yel also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that the conflict has continued for more than a thousand days and has left large numbers of civilians facing hunger, displacement, disease, and a severe lack of essential supplies.

He criticized what he described as the international community’s failure to take meaningful action to stop the violence, arguing that civilians continue to suffer despite repeated calls for a permanent ceasefire.

Addressing recent developments, Yel said claims that the crisis in Gaza has subsided are misleading. He argued that military operations, restrictions, and humanitarian hardships continue to affect Palestinians in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

“The struggle is far from over,” he said. “We must continue where we left off, expand our efforts, and ensure that future generations understand what is happening today. We have a responsibility to stand with the oppressed and to keep their voices alive.”

The demonstration concluded with calls for continued solidarity with the Palestinian people, sustained boycott campaigns, and ongoing grassroots efforts aimed at keeping international attention focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The weekly protests in Bağcılar have become a regular platform for activists, scholars, and community leaders to express support for Palestine and encourage public engagement in advocacy, awareness, and solidarity initiatives. (ILKHA)