Controversy over intervention in Palestine protest: Statement from Istanbul Governor one day later

1000 Youth for Palestine, a group, wanted to organize a protest in support of Palestine in front of Odakule yesterday. The police's harsh intervention against the group, which was demanding an end to relations with Israel, drew significant public backlash.

While Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had previously made a statement regarding the controversial intervention, the Istanbul Governor's Office had remained silent. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül broke his silence one day after the controversial intervention by posting a statement on social media. 

Emphasizing that they have authorized 947 events related to Palestine in the last 6 months, the Governor characterized the protest as a fifth-column activity. Governor Gül wrote the following:

“In Istanbul, 947 events have been held in the last 6 months to support Palestine and protest Israel. All reasonable requests have been met, including the Galata Bridge, which had never been allocated for any demonstration in its history. As with all social events, permission is granted for any location that will not affect general security regarding the Palestine issue.

We are aware that marginal groups, formed by an alliance of different centers of evil, are using our ‘well-intentioned’ citizens to ignore the sacrifices of our state and nation and are engaging in fifth-column activities! If they are looking for a murderer, they should look at Israel and the same foreign powers that support them…”