Palestine protest in Istanbul: Israel protested
A "We Are Marching for Palestine" event was held in Istanbul, starting at Fatih Mosque and ending at Edirnekapı Cemetery.
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Within the scope of the event organized by Genç İHH and supported by several non-governmental organizations, participants gathered in the mosque courtyard after the night prayer (yatsı).
"MEHMETÇİK TO GAZA" SLOGANS CHANTED
Citizens carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags chanted slogans and marched to Edirnekapı Cemetery, where the graves of those who lost their lives on the Mavi Marmara ship—which was attacked by Israeli forces while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza on May 31, 2010—are located. During the march on Fevzipaşa Street, which was closed to traffic, slogans such as "Down with Israel," "Mehmetçik to Gaza," and "Greetings to Palestine, continue the resistance" were chanted.
Genç İHH President Muhammet Cihat Çelik stated in a press release that they are watching the events in Palestine, which he described as a "modern genocide," live on digital platforms. Çelik said, "The occupying Israeli regime, with the support of the Western states behind it, is carrying out one of the greatest genocides of the 21st century."
"WE WILL COLLECT AID FOR OUR PALESTINIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS"
Stating that they would launch a major boycott movement starting today, Çelik noted the following:
"We will not give an opportunity to those who support the oppressors, those who kill women, and those whose hands are stained with the blood of babies. Today, we will give from our wealth. In our campuses, in our schools, and in whatever social environment we are in, we will collect aid for our Muslim brothers and sisters, for our Palestinian brothers and sisters. There will be no school left where we do not set up a charity bazaar or organize an event. Today is the day to help with both our wealth and our lives."
The group, which chanted slogans against Israel for a while, dispersed after a prayer was recited.