Özgür Özel lashes out at Palestine rally: 'Erdoğan is occupying the Presidency in this country'

Citizens gathered in Eyüpsultan Square for the rally, which began at 8:30 PM, holding Turkish and Palestinian flags.

For the first time during the rallies held by the CHP, a flag was hung on the bus.

The bus, which featured a photograph of Yaser Arafat, one of the symbolic figures of Palestine, and Bülent Ecevit, one of the former prime ministers of the Republic of Turkey, alongside Palestinian and Turkish flags, drew attention.

The rally area was filled with Turkish and Palestinian flags from the evening hours onwards. Extensive security measures were taken around the square.

Police conducted body searches at the entrance to the area.

The banners brought were also admitted to the area after being checked by police teams.

The enthusiastic crowd waved Palestinian flags while singing along to the songs "Gaza, We Are Coming to You" and "Walk, My Brother." Slogans such as "Rights, law, justice" and "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us" were chanted.

DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan, Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi) Chairman Mahmut Arıkan, and Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal also spoke at the rally.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: THOSE BEGGING FOR AN APPOINTMENT FROM TRUMP CANNOT STOP ISRAEL

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel was greeted with great enthusiasm as he took the stage. Highlights from Özel's speech are as follows:

"We are in the presence of Eyüp Sultan, the standard-bearer of our Prophet. We are on the lands where the prayer of conquest was accepted; we are in the heart of the sacred district, Istanbul. These streets know how to be grateful, and they know how to resist. We are doing this for Palestine, for the hearts beating in Gaza, where all our eyes and ears are turned during these difficult days Turkey is going through.

We have come to object to the genocide committed by the state in Gaza for 710 days and to be on the right side of history. 65 thousand people, mostly women and children, have been massacred. There are 165 thousand wounded. 147 out of 420 Palestinians have died of hunger. There are those who block humanitarian aid and those who open fire with snipers on mothers and fathers waiting for flour. The Sumud Fleet, consisting of dozens of ships, was attacked. Sumud is the conscience of us all. Protect that fleet no matter what.

More than 150 countries have begun to advocate for a two-state solution. It is very important to encourage and sustain these efforts. We will continue to exert the highest level of effort in the Socialist International, where I serve as vice president. Palestinians are our brothers; we will not leave them alone.

So, from whom and how does Israel take courage? Trump, who says 'I will empty Gaza' and whose real intention is the hydrocarbon resources in front of Gaza, is paving the way for Israel. Those who beg for an appointment from Trump while having a sham fight with Netanyahu without saying this courageously cannot stop Israel."

"THEY SIGNED IT RELUCTANTLY"

But instead of listening to us, they prefer to stall the Turkish public. We said, 'Stop trade with Israel.' Months later, they admitted they were trading. In the year they said there was no trade, Turkey was the 5th country with the highest trade volume. Instead of stopping trade, they detained the young people who were protesting. Do not stand against the friends of Palestine, but against Israel. They ran away without signing the Bogota Declaration. 'TikToker' Hakan said, 'We will fall behind in maritime law with Greece.' Who are you fooling? You will put a reservation on that article. When they saw the public reaction, they signed it reluctantly.

We said, 'Let all party leaders go to Palestine.' Everyone agreed, but there is not a peep from Erdoğan. They have reached a point where they won't do what France and Saudi Arabia did. We said, 'Let's not allow them to participate in international competitions.' They didn't listen. But our friend Pedro Sanchez said, 'If Israel is in the 2026 World Cup, Spain is not.' Palestine cannot be defended with 'as if' behavior; it must be defended with courage. Yesterday, Trump held a meeting with 8 Muslim countries. I am calling out to Erdoğan: If 30 Palestinians are massacred minutes after that meeting you were so pleased with, what are the decisions taken at that meeting? He went to talk about Israeli hostages, not hunger and famine. It is not something that should happen. Because they are in a relationship of dependency. Let's say you maintained your power by getting Trump's support. Is it worth the lives of thousands of Palestinians, is it worth it?!

"SHAME ON YOU"

They denied the Boeing deal through Trump's son. As if giving a 50 billion dollar order in exchange for an appointment wasn't enough, he lifted taxes on US goods just as a gesture while sitting at the table. He gave up 150 million dollars in taxes. That same night, he imposed a new tax on China. Erdoğan, who does not stop squandering Turkey's resources for the interests of the US, not only spent our money for an appointment, but you are also spending our reputation. The US Secretary of State said arrogantly, 'They are like this, they talk and then beg for an appointment.' Erdoğan is occupying the Presidency in this country. I would confront anyone who says this to the President, but there is not a peep from them. His counterpart, TikToker Hakan, did not speak. Shame on you."

This is my final call to Erdoğan: He told you 'Don't be a fool,' and you stayed silent. He took Pastor Brunson away. You stayed silent. Tomorrow you are in front of Trump; tell him, 'Netanyahu is not a war hero as you say, he is a war criminal.' Tell your Foreign Minister to watch his step. If you say these things, I will welcome you at Esenboğa upon your return from the US. But I know you will remain silent. Now you have abandoned Palestine and are looking into Trump's eyes. We are complaining to the Turkish nation about Erdoğan, who has surrendered to Trump.

The children who died are still Hanzala today. Be brave so that Hanzala turns his face to us. We tell all countries; there is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us!"

EKREM İMAMOĞLU'S MESSAGE...

Özgür Çelik, who was re-elected today as the CHP İstanbul Provincial Chairman, read the message of the CHP's imprisoned presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu:

“I embrace each and every one of you who ran to cry out against the great crimes against humanity and the oppression committed by Israel in Gaza in the blessed climate of Eyüpsultan. I embrace each of you and your brave hearts with love.

You have gathered here today to show solidarity with Palestine and Gaza, but most of all to talk about humanity's common test. Israel has been causing great suffering for months in Gaza by trampling on all international legal rules and every kind of human right.

The United Nations (UN) Independent International Commission of Inquiry has clearly stated in its report that the crime of genocide is being committed against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Civilians are being recklessly massacred without regard for whether they are women, children, or health workers. Residential areas are being turned into piles of rubble from land and air without targeting. By also blocking humanitarian aid, they are trying to starve those who survived the bombs to death.”

“WHILE CHILDREN ARE DYING FROM MALNUTRITION, NO ONE CAN SAY ‘WE DID NOT KNOW’”

“The ground operation being carried out in Gaza City today targets schools and hospitals along with homes; civilians cannot find any safe place to take shelter. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Palestinians are subjected to harassment, arbitrary detentions, and dispossession every day. This picture in Gaza, which is happening before the eyes of the whole world, shows a regime of oppression and destruction that is continuous in Palestinian lands. While children are dying from malnutrition before the eyes of the world, no one can say, 'We did not know.' Faced with this scene of horror, conscientious communities all over the world have stood up. However, states are reacting to the Palestinian issue either differently from their societies or very late. Many state administrations remain blind and deaf to this issue for the sake of strategic interests. The reality covered up here as 'strategic interest' is the continuity of the seats of those in power. Because openly taking a stand against Israel today requires confronting global powers surrounded by Israeli lobbies and war profiteers. We all know this.”

“AT THIS RATE, THERE WILL BE NO PALESTINE LEFT IN PRACTICE”

“The biggest reason for the recklessness of Netanyahu, the architect of the genocide in Gaza, and the government he leads is the support he receives from global powers. The decisions to recognize Palestine taken recently are symbolically important but not sufficient. Because, at this rate, there will be no Palestine left in practice.

Israel must be stopped with concrete sanctions as soon as possible. UN Security Council resolutions foresee Israel stopping illegal settlement activities and accepting a two-state solution based on an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Recognition only finds its true meaning when unhindered access to humanitarian aid is provided, the protection of civilians is guaranteed, and those responsible for war crimes are held accountable before the International Criminal Court. Otherwise, it remains just a gesture.”

“THERE IS NO LONGER ANY POINT IN CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY ON THIS ISSUE”

“Against this helplessness and the hypocritical policies of states and governments, all world societies have been growing resistance in the squares for months against the oppression of Palestine and Gaza. They are showing solidarity by standing shoulder to shoulder from all four corners for Gaza's sumud. Today, the conscience of the world is in the 'Global Sumud Fleet,' which is sailing towards Gaza with sailboats of all sizes in the Mediterranean, as much as it is in the squares established all over the world. Let us all together send a strong greeting from Eyüpsultan to the activists in the Sumud Fleet, whose beliefs, languages, religions, and colors are different, but whose resistance and conscience are one, and who have been sailing in the open sea for days despite Israel's harassment and threats. Their voyage is our voyage. I invite Turkey, in particular, as well as Mediterranean countries, European countries, and world countries to mobilize for the protection of this fleet and for it to reach its destination, and to show the determination they have not shown until now, just this once. On the other hand, there is no longer any point in calling on the government in Turkey on this issue. It is clear that the government will not be able to provide a concrete response to Netanyahu's policies in exchange for not interfering with the authoritarian regime-building project it is trying to create in Turkey, which it will never succeed in. The way for Turkey to provide regional leadership in ensuring lasting peace and tranquility in Palestine also passes through first establishing its own democracy and internal peace. I have no doubt that we will achieve this with our nation as soon as possible.”

“HISTORY WILL RECORD WHO REMAINED SILENT AND WHO SPOKE BRAVELY DURING THIS PERIOD”

“I would like to express my love and respect once again to all party leaders and all my dear citizens who came to this square today for humanity, for peace, and to shout 'free Palestine.' This cause is the cause of us all. With the ever-louder voice of conscientious societies all over the world, Palestine will truly be free in a time that is not far off. I believe this with all my heart.

Gaza has no time to lose. The international community must immediately ensure a ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors, and bring the perpetrators of the genocide to justice. History will record who remained silent and who spoke bravely during this period. We cannot be silenced. This voice rising from Eyüpsultan is the voice of humanity's conscience. Freedom for Palestine! Freedom for Palestine! Freedom for Palestine! Ekrem İmamoğlu. Silivri Prison.”

ALİ BABACAN: THE OPPRESSOR WILL EVENTUALLY GO

In his speech, DEVA Party Chairman Babacan said, "Who is Netanyahu's biggest supporter? Trump. Erdoğan's friend Trump. The oppressor will eventually go. Have no doubt about it. I am calling out to Erdoğan, who says 'My friend Trump' at the beginning of every two sentences. How can you call Netanyahu's biggest supporter 'my friend'?

The Republic of South Africa complained about Israel committing genocide. Mexico and Chile came from the other side of the world and took a side. The government just watched. Malaysia stopped trade. Malaysia did not allow ships entering Israel into its ports. There is neither talk nor action from the government. He will have a meeting with Trump tomorrow. Demand a ceasefire immediately. Ensure that the humanitarian aid corridor is kept open continuously. Start effective sanctions. Never give up on the two-state solution. Gaza belongs to the Gazans," he said.

DEMOCRAT PARTY CHAIRMAN UYSAL: CHILDREN ARE DYING OF HUNGER

Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal stated that Gaza is a test of humanity. Reciting the lines, "We do not live in this world just to bury our losses. We are here to grow hope," Uysal said, "Every life lost in Gaza leaves us a legacy of hope. We salute those who stand up for Gaza regardless of their religion or nationality."

Repeating Trump's words about wanting to make Gaza a tourist area, Uysal accused the government of remaining silent. Uysal said, "The resistance of Gaza is the resistance of humanity. We will also stand here. We will stand together against oppression and plunder. This is our objection to those who cannot make the government and the opposition act as one on national issues in Turkey," he said.

FELICITY PARTY CHAIRMAN ARIKAN: GREETINGS FROM ERBAKAN TO EYGİ

Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi) Chairman Mahmut Arıkan began his speech by greeting Necmettin Erbakan, Deniz Gezmiş, and Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi. Arıkan also thanked CHP Chairman Özel and his colleagues for the rally.

Arıkan said, "Billions of people, whether nationalist, socialist, conservative, or liberal, are raising a single word: 'Free Palestine from the river to the sea!' Israel is continuing its massacres today. Recognizing Palestine should not remain on paper. It must be turned into an action plan against Israel's aggression, which has become a global threat," he said.

Stating that trade with Israel continues, Arıkan asked the government to adopt the stance of Ecevit and Erbakan.