Governor's office had denied permission: CHP holds pro-Palestine rally in Eminönü

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik reacted to the Istanbul Governor's Office blocking the march planned on the Galata Bridge during the Palestine rally held in Eminönü. While opposing the US plan for Gaza, Çelik also criticized the AKP's stance against the CHP and its policies regarding Gaza.  

Delivering a speech at the rally, Çelik made a press statement in Eminönü after the Istanbul Governor's Office did not permit the rally planned on the Galata Bridge to support Palestine. Criticizing the governor's office's decision, Çelik emphasized that they were 'facing a double standard.'

The rally that the CHP wanted to organize under the name 'From the River to the Sea, Free Palestine March' was rejected by the Istanbul Governor's Office on the grounds that it was 'outside the designated meeting and demonstration march locations and routes.' Following the governor's office's decision, CHP members gathered in Eminönü today to hold the rally in support of Palestine.

Çelik made the following remarks regarding the governor's office's decision:

'We wanted to set up a podium here and use sound equipment, but we were blocked. Groups close to the government were previously allowed in the same place. This is a double standard.'

REACTION TO AKP OVER TRADE WITH ISRAEL

Describing the events in Gaza as genocide, Çelik spoke about Israel's attacks on Gaza. On the other hand, Çelik claimed that the AKP did not prevent trade with Israel and stated that the ruling party had rejected parliamentary questions aimed at investigating trade with Israel.

Çelik described Israel's attacks with the following words:

'Israel has carried out massacres before the eyes of the world, without regard for children or women. Nearly 50 thousand people have been killed in the last 1.5 years, and more than 2 million people have been displaced. Hospitals, schools, and even tents have been bombed. The world has remained silent against this crime against humanity.'

Regarding the government's stance toward Israel, Çelik expressed the following:

'It is said that trade with Israel has stopped, but ships are still going to Israel. Motions were submitted in Parliament to investigate trade with Israel, but the ruling party rejected them. A government that has increased trade with Israel 26-fold cannot stand with Palestine.'

'WHY IS ERDOĞAN SILENT?'

Reacting strongly to US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, Çelik also pointed out that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has not shown a reaction toward Trump.

'We condemn this imperialist mentality that wants to tear Palestinians away from their homeland. These lands are a legacy to the Palestinians from their ancestors. The government's silence on this issue is a grave picture. Why is President Erdoğan silent? Does the Palestinian cause only come to the agenda during election times?'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also criticized Erdoğan for his stance on the Palestinian issue and invited him to react to the US. In a post on his X account, İmamoğlu stated the following:

'The President's only concern today is again our actions. My advice to him is that he should show the same consistent harshness he shows toward me, who has no immunity, to the US President who says, "Gaza will be US territory." For Gaza, which you have been acting as a patron of for 2 years, you have not said a single word about these assertive claims for 3 days.'

At the rally in Eminönü, CHP members underscored that they stand with the people of Gaza against the policies of Israel and the US. Speaking on behalf of the CHP members, Çelik said that the CHP stands with the Palestinian people. Referring to the Istanbul Governor's Office's ban decision, Çelik stated that the obstacles encountered mean a restriction of democratic rights and announced that they would fight against such practices.

Çelik added the following to his words:

'We are the children of those who stood as a shield against this imperialist aggression. We support the struggle of the oppressed Palestinian people.'

News Source: 12punto