More than 50 shopkeepers in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district have committed to donating all proceeds from their sales today to Palestinians enduring Israel’s ongoing genocide.

The campaign, titled “Heart Bridge from Üsküdar to Gaza,” was jointly organized by several civil society organizations and aims to turn Üsküdar’s bustling streets into a channel of hope for Gaza. As part of the initiative, NGOs will also host a two-day charity bazaar in the courtyard of the historic Valide-i Cedid Mosque over the weekend, with all proceeds directed toward humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.

Gastronomy Street, one of Üsküdar’s most popular destinations, was decorated with Turkish and Palestinian flags as shopkeepers and NGO representatives gathered to announce the campaign.

Reading a press statement on behalf of the NGOs, Kemal Özdal strongly condemned Israel’s attacks, now in their 707th day: “The Zionist, racist, anti-humanity Israel has been committing a brutal genocide in Gaza for over 700 days. Without distinction, they bombard children, women, the elderly, and the sick, forcing nearly 2 million people to flee daily, leaving their homes, families, and dreams behind.”

Özdal stressed that Gaza’s humanitarian disaster is worsening by the day: “Civilian infrastructure has been completely destroyed. Hospitals, schools, mosques, and homes are gone. Food, water, and medicine are in critical shortage. Due to hunger, disease, and the genocidal attacks, around 100,000 Gazans have lost their lives. This atrocity is a systematic crime against humanity, and the silence of the international community only deepens the tragedy.”

Özdal praised the Üsküdar merchants for setting a powerful example of moral responsibility: “The merchants of Üsküdar are not just donating money — they are raising the collective conscience of society. By giving away a day’s earnings, they are showing that Gaza is not forgotten and that our hearts beat together with the oppressed.”

The earnings from today’s sales and the weekend charity bazaar will be delivered to Gaza through leading Turkish aid organizations, including IHH, Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Foundation, Sadakataşı Association, and Deniz Feneri Association.

Shopkeeper Hakan Durmuş said the project was embraced with enthusiasm by the local business community: “When we heard about this campaign, we immediately agreed to participate. This is not only about religion — it is about humanity. As merchants of Üsküdar, we are proud to have led such an effort, and we hope this movement spreads across Türkiye.”

Another shopkeeper, Alihan Çulukçu, added: “Today we are united for Gaza. We are happy to donate our daily earnings to our brothers and sisters there. Inshallah, the war will end soon, and no more children will grow up without mothers. Until that day, we will continue to stand with Gaza.”

Organizers invited all Istanbul residents to visit Gastronomy Street and the weekend charity bazaar, stressing that every contribution counts. They expressed hope that the campaign would expand beyond Üsküdar and spark similar initiatives across Türkiye. (ILKHA)