Civil society organizations in Turkey and well-known football clubs have called for a mass rally on January 1 at the Galata Bridge in Istanbul, as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinians and opposition to the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

The rally is organized by the National Will Platform and aims to send the message “stop the massacre in Palestine”, as well as keep international awareness alive about the situation in Gaza. At the same time, the participants will also honor the Turkish policemen who were martyred in an anti-terrorist operation in Yalova.

Hatice Yilmaz, chairman of the board of the TURGEV foundation, said that the Palestinian issue is a moral and social responsibility, stressing that Israel continues to violate the ceasefire and humanitarian law. She added that the mass protests in Europe and the USA have faded and that the January 1 rally aims to break this silence.

Also Abdullah Ceylan, head of the ONDER association, stated that the January 1 call has a universal meaning, describing Israel as a serious threat to world peace and stability. According to him, what is happening in Palestine is the result of a long policy of occupation and violence.

Support for the rally has also been given by major Turkish football clubs, including Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Trabzonspor, which have called on fans to participate. Club representatives said that silence in the face of suffering in Gaza is unacceptable and that standing up against oppression is a human duty.

The rally on Galata Bridge is expected to be one of the biggest protests in Turkey in support of Palestine since the ceasefire came into force. /message

Source: prizrenpost