Over half a million people gathered early Thursday at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge for a massive march in support of Palestine on New Year’s Day.
The demonstration, held with the participation of more than 400 civil society organisations and led by the Turkish Youth Foundation (TUGVA), was carried out under the slogan “We won’t cower, we won’t keep quiet, we won’t forget Palestine.”
At the event, local media estimated at least 520,000 participants rallied, braving freezing temperatures, to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Ahead of the event, members of the public convened before dawn prayers at major mosques across Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque), Fatih, Suleymaniye, and Eminonu New Mosque.
Many carried Turkish and Palestinian flags as they gathered in mosque courtyards to show solidarity with Palestine. Extensive security measures were taken, particularly around Sultanahmet Square, where participants were also offered hot beverages.
Following morning prayers, demonstrators walked on foot toward Galata Bridge, joined by Turkish Cabinet ministers, senior officials, and other top figures. The program officially began at 8.30 am local time (05.30 GMT).
A large banner depicting “Hanzala,” the iconic figure closely associated with the Palestinian cause created by late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali, was hung on a building behind the main press platform.
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Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also shared a message to the event on Turkish social media platform NSosyal, saying: “The Humanity Alliance extends hundreds of thousands of greetings from Istanbul to the Palestinian people, to Gaza, and to all the oppressed across the world. We sincerely thank all individuals and institutions who contributed to this effort.”
Praying for Palestine
Speaking to members of the press during the march, Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, an education and research group, and a member of TUGVA’s High Advisory Board, said the new year had begun with prayers for Palestine and that gathering at mosques on the first morning of the year carried strong spiritual meaning.
Erdogan said it was important to recognise the moral and spiritual strength of meeting in mosques at dawn and offering collective prayers for the new year, adding that the nation believes deeply in this unity.
“While we are praying for the oppressed in Palestine, of course we are also commemorating our martyrs. At the same time, we are praying together that 2026 will bring goodness for our entire nation and for the oppressed Palestinians,” he said.
“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated, everyone who raised their hands in prayer, and everyone who supported these prayers,” Erdogan added.
On the huge turnout at the annual event, Erdogan said participation had grown every year, demonstrating the strength of shared values across society.
“Every year, compared to the previous one, we feel that this morning is marked by broader participation and that, as a nation, we sense how strong our shared common ground truly is. This makes us very happy,” he said.
Voicing hope for the year ahead, Erdogan added: “God willing, may the Almighty grant this nation the joy of seeing this stance as a source of pride this year, grant freedom to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and grant us the freedom of Jerusalem.”
Also speaking at the demonstration, TUGVA Chair Ibrahim Besinci said the scale of the turnout reflected a collective moral stance against the ongoing violence in Palestine.
Addressing the crowd on Galata Bridge, Besinci said: “Today, there are hundreds of thousands here. There is an honorable nation standing upright against this genocide. There are the prayers of the oppressed and the legacy of our martyrs.”
Describing the bridge as a “tribune of conscience,” Besinci said it had been transformed into a moral platform for people from different cities, languages, and walks of life.
“From this noble tribune, I salute with all my heart the innocent and courageous Palestinian people, the noble sons of Gaza, the steadfast hearts of the West Bank, and the true owners of East Jerusalem,” he said.
Citing figures on the devastation in Gaza, Besinci said that over the past 27 months, 210,000 tons of bombs had been dropped on Gaza, 70,000 civilians had been killed, 2,600 families had been completely wiped from the population registry, and 5,000 families had only a single surviving member.
He added that 45,000 Palestinians had undergone amputations and 12,000 Palestinians had been detained.
“In other words, before the eyes of the entire world, a people has been erased not just from the map, but from life,” Besinci said.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 414 people have been killed and more than 1,100 injured since the October 10 2025 ceasefire deal that halted Israel’s two-year war.
As part of the program, prayers for Palestinians continued from a stage set up on Galata Bridge.
