Kanal Istanbul whets the appetite of Arabs: The project has found its place in advertisements!

The Kanal İstanbul project, which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has persistently championed for years, has gained momentum once again following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. 

Imamoglu, who is being held at Silivri Prison, reacted to the project in a post on his social media account, bringing to light the housing construction projects launched around the Sazlidere Dam, one of the European side's vital water sources.

In his message, Imamoglu stated, "You took advantage of my absence to start," drawing attention to the project's reactivation alongside the election process.

GIANT CONSTRUCTION OF 24,000 HOUSING UNITS

According to the latest information, the construction of a total of 24,000 housing units has officially begun in the Sazlidere Dam basin, which is located along the Kanal İstanbul route. Despite countless warnings from scientists and experts regarding the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the project, the government remains insistent on bringing this massive project to life.

NEW PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS IN ARAB MEDIA

Following Imamoglu's arrest, foreign real estate firms that previously marketed the project to Arab investors have returned to the scene. The Jordan-based company Go Smart has released a new promotional video regarding plots of land located along the Kanal İstanbul route.

In the video, phrases such as "good news for investors" and "unique opportunities" are highlighted, while previously granted zoning permits are announced as "good news." The company stated that the properties around the canal have had their "qualifications brought into compliance with zoning regulations," arguing that this situation "increases the investment value with each passing day."

FOOTAGE OF ERDOGAN USED IN PROMOTION

The promotional video in question also included footage of President Erdogan's flight over the Kanal İstanbul route. In the advertisement, which uses moments where Erdogan receives information about projects related to Kanal İstanbul, the phrase "An extraordinary development has taken place since the beginning of 2025" drew attention.

CHP'S KAYABASI: "HOUSING FOR ARABS, A DREAM FOR CITIZENS"

CHP Başakşehir District Chair Beyzade Kayabaşı also reacted to both the construction activities and the promotional videos in a statement regarding the issue. Conducting inspections around the Sazlidere Dam, Kayabasi said, "We know that these lands are being presented as housing projects on Arab television channels."

Emphasizing that the prices of these residences are inaccessible to Turkish citizens in the current economic crisis, Kayabasi harshly criticized TOKI for prioritizing projects aimed at Arab capital while failing to complete even social housing in Istanbul and the earthquake zone.

PERSISTENCE CONTINUES DESPITE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS

The Kanal İstanbul project has long drawn the reaction of scientists, environmentalists, and professional chambers.