Turkish NGOs to Hold Gaza Solidarity Rally on New Year's Day
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Turkish civil society groups will gather in Istanbul on January 1 to express solidarity with Gaza, as Israel's attacks continue.
The National Will Platform, consisting of 308 NGOs, will organize a demonstration under the theme "Stopping the Israeli Genocide in Gaza."
Participants are expected to march from historic mosques in the city's peninsula area after morning prayers, converging at the Galata Bridge, which crosses the Golden Horn.
Ibrahim Besinci, the head of one of the participating NGOs, condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks in Gaza, saying they have been "exterminating" people for 15 months.
"Remaining silent to this ruthless oppression clearly contradicts human dignity. Palestine should be a concern not just for one race or religion, but for all humanity," he added.
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has killed more than 45,500 people, predominantly women and children.
Most of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, rendering the region uninhabitable, while a crippling blockade has pushed its 2.3 million residents to the brink of famine.
Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.
