Half a million people rally in Turkey in support of Palestine
(VOVWORLD) - More than half a million people took to the street in Turkey's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day, following calls by more than 400 civil society organisations to show support for Palestine.
 People gather near the Galata Bridge in solidarity with Palestinians on New Year's Day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 1, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya) |
Demonstrators carried banners and chanted slogans in support of Palestinians and opposing the continued military campaign by Israel against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Bilal Erdogan, the youngest son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said at the rally that the Turkish people "will not let Gaza be forgotten," adding that he hopes 2026 will bring good things to Palestine and its people.
Turkey is one of the countries that has reaffirmed its backing of the Palestinian struggle for statehood and opposition to the Gaza conflict since it broke out in October 2023.