Istanbul Governor Davut Gül likens CHP's Palestine protest to 'provocation': 'It has not been permitted for many years'

CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik had announced that they would organize a march from Tünel to Taksim as part of a march in support of Palestine and had invited citizens to join.

While a large number of citizens participated in the protest march scheduled for 7:00 PM, the group was met with police obstruction.

CHP's Çelik, who was blocked by police from marching from Tünel to Taksim to protest the events in Palestine, did not hold back in expressing his reaction.

While Özgür Çelik stated that a similar obstruction does not even occur in Israel, a statement came from Istanbul Governor Davut Gül.

Likening the protest, which was intended to be held by marching from Tünel to Taksim, to a 'provocation,' Gül expressed his reaction with the following words:

"For security reasons, no demonstrations have been permitted in Taksim Square and Istiklal Street for many years. This situation has been clearly communicated to the relevant individuals and groups multiple times.

While the right to demonstrate and assemble is free in many different parts of Istanbul, insisting on calling for an assembly in this area, which is restricted for security reasons, is, to put it mildly, a provocation.

We condemn those who use the sacred cause of our Palestinian brothers and sisters for their own political calculations. Attempts to disrupt public order by exploiting social sensitivities will never be allowed.

Throughout this entire process, our security forces, who have maintained their common sense, have performed their duties within the framework of the law and have displayed a determined stance against attempts targeting the peace of our nation.

Criminal complaints will be filed against those who made and organized these illegal calls that caused our police officers to be injured and some of our citizens to be prosecuted; the judicial process will be followed meticulously."

For security reasons, no demonstrations have been permitted in Taksim Square and Istiklal Street for many years. This situation has been clearly communicated to the relevant individuals and groups multiple times.

While the right to demonstrate and assemble is free in many different parts of Istanbul, for security reasons...

— Davut GÜL (@gul_davut) April 19, 2025

"DO YOUR WORST"

CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik gave the following response to Governor Gül's post:

"The Istanbul Governor is going to file a criminal complaint against us because we stand with the oppressed Palestinian people. 

We, in turn, will file a criminal complaint against those who are trying to prevent us from exercising our Constitutional right.

Mr. Governor, if you are looking for someone who is profiting from the Palestinian cause, look at those who talk about Gaza during election times but remain silent in the face of the displacement plans of the US and Trump. 

To those who insist on being the governor of the ruling party instead of being the governor of the nation, I repeat: 'No to the massacre in Gaza, no to genocide, no to displacement!' Can you say that?

Do your worst!"