Home > Current Affairs News > Scandalous scenes in Gaziantep: Haniyeh's photo hung instead of Atatürk's on August 30

Scandalous scenes in Gaziantep: Haniyeh's photo hung instead of Atatürk's on August 30

Scandalous scenes were captured on camera during the August 30 Victory Day celebrations in Gaziantep. A banner of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran, was hung in Democracy Square, but was later removed and replaced with an Atatürk banner.

12punto

Hasan Şencan, spokesperson for the CHP group in the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Council and deputy group chair of the CHP group in the Şahinbey Municipality Council, shared a scandalous image on social media.

It emerged that a banner of Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran, had been hung in Gaziantep's Democracy Square instead of one of Atatürk.

In his post, Şencan stated, "They hung a banner of the Hamas leader in Democracy Square during the Victory Day celebrations in Gaziantep. Because there were no photos of Atatürk, our veterans are leaving the area in protest. Shame on them." The Haniyeh banner was subsequently removed from the area and replaced with an Atatürk banner.

Sharing the images, Şencan wrote, "Gaziantep is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The necessary action has been taken," adding, "Before/After."

Here are those moments:

CHP Gaziantep MP Melih Meriç shared footage on X showing the banner being taken down.

'THIS IS NOT A MISTAKE, BUT INTENTIONAL AND NEGLIGENCE'

Expressing his reaction to the hanging of the Haniyeh poster, Meriç noted the following:

"It is unacceptable that a poster of Ismail Haniyeh was displayed during the August 30 Victory Day celebrations in Gaziantep Democracy Square, where Atatürk and the Turkish flag should have been present!

We will not compromise in any way against hostile attitudes and indifference toward the founding will of the Republic, its fundamental values, and our national holidays. This attitude, which disregards the spirit of independence entrusted to us by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is not an acceptable mistake; it is purely intentional and an act of negligence!"

In his assessment on Sözcü TV, Meriç also said regarding the images, "As a resident of Gaziantep, I apologize to everyone."

Meriç also pointed to the Gaziantep Governor's Office, noting that they had information regarding the matter and that the authority rested with the Governor's Office.

Here are those images: