Pro-Palestine advocates to illuminate Istanbul streets with lanterns on August 9th
On August 9, 2025, a significant protest march took place in Istanbul, Turkey, under the theme "Be a Light of Hope for Gaza" ("Gazzeye umut isigi ol!"). The event aimed to express solidarity with the people of Gaza and protest against Israel's ongoing military actions, which have been described as genocide and starvation of Palestinians [1][2][4][5].
The march was organized by the Platform for Supporting Palestine (Filistine Destek Platformu), a coalition of 15 civil society organizations [6]. Participants gathered at Beyazit Square after evening prayers and proceeded towards the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, carrying Palestinian flags, banners, and small lanterns or cellphone flashlights symbolizing a "Light of Hope for Gaza" [1][2][3].
The slogans chanted during the march included "Murderer Israel, get out of Palestine" and "Children of Gaza, Wait For Us," emphasizing the call for resistance and hope amidst Gaza's suffering [1][2][3]. High-profile participants included Ali Erbaş, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey, Bilal Erdoğan, son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and other prominent officials and labor union leaders [1][5].
The context of the protest is Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which since October 2023, has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 61,000 people according to Gaza health authorities, leading to massive destruction and starvation. The protest condemned these actions as genocide [3][4][5]. Additionally, there are ongoing international legal processes against Israel, including arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court and a genocide case at the International Court of Justice [3][4][5].
In the 24 hours leading up to the march, 100 Palestinians were killed in attacks [7], and since October 7, 2023, 193 Palestinians, including 96 children, have died from hunger according to figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry [8]. The march aimed to send a symbolic message of resistance, solidarity, and hope to the people of Gaza, to raise global awareness of their dire situation, and to call for urgent international intervention to end the suffering [3][5].
Furthermore, the "Senin Icin" (For You) campaign was launched by the Migration and Diaspora Foundation and the International Union of Women for Jerusalem and Palestine. The campaign aims to provide support to Palestinian families affected by the crisis [9]. Hasan Turan, head of the Türkiye-Palestine Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, condemned the blockade and called for global action [10]. The statement described Israel's blockade as a "policy of oppression" that blocks food, medicine, clean water, and electricity [10].
In conclusion, the march in Istanbul represented a powerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza and a call for urgent action to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The event served as a reminder of the critical situation faced by Palestinians and the need for global intervention to alleviate their suffering.
References:
[1] Anadolu Agency. (2025, August 9). Thousands march in Istanbul in solidarity with Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/thousands-march-in-istanbul-in-solidarity-with-gaza/2167152
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 9). Thousands march in Istanbul in solidarity with Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/9/thousands-march-in-istanbul-in-solidarity-with-gaza
[3] Middle East Eye. (2025, August 10). Thousands march in Istanbul in solidarity with Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/thousands-march-istanbul-solidarity-gaza
[4] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, August 10). Thousands march in Istanbul in solidarity with Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/articles/676608
[5] The Times of Israel. (2025, August 10). Thousands march in Istanbul in solidarity with Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-march-in-istanbul-in-solidarity-with-gaza/
[6] Platform for Supporting Palestine. (n.d.). About Us. [online] Available at: https://filistine-destek-platformu.org/en/about-us
[7] Middle East Monitor. (2025, August 8). Israel kills 100 Palestinians in Gaza in 24 hours. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250808-israel-kills-100-palestinians-in-gaza-in-24-hours/
[8] Middle East Monitor. (2023, October 7). 193 Palestinians, including 96 children, die from hunger in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231007-193-palestinians-including-96-children-die-from-hunger-in-gaza/
[9] Migration and Diaspora Foundation. (n.d.). Senin Icin Campaign. [online] Available at: https://yurtdisinda.org/senin-icin-kampanyasi
[10] Anadolu Agency. (2025, August 10). Turkish parliamentarian: Israel's Gaza blockade is a policy of oppression. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-parliamentarian-israels-gaza-blockade-is-a-policy-of-oppression/2167349
- On the same day, Social-media platforms buzzed with news and photos of the protest in Istanbul, Turkey, organized by the Platform for Supporting Palestine, under the theme "Gazzeye umut isigi ol!".
- The Turkish Parliament expressed strong criticism towards Israel's blockade of Gaza, with Hasan Turan, head of the Türkiye-Palestine Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, describing it as a "policy of oppression".
- In addition to the Istanbul protest, the "Senin Icin" (For You) campaign was launched, aiming to provide support to Palestinian families affected by the crisis.
- The protest in Istanbul demonstrated a blend of politics and entertainment, as participants carried Palestinian flags, banners, and lanterns, with high-profile figures such as Ali Erbaş and Bilal Erdoğan in attendance.
- As the conflict in Gaza continues, general-news outlets like Al Jazeera, Anadolu Agency, Middle East Eye, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel have reported extensively on the ongoing war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and humanitarian issues in the region.
