In one of the largest demonstrations in Turkey’s history, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the Ataturk Airport on Saturday to show their solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
The rally, dubbed the “Great Palestine Rally”, was organized by the ruling AKP party and attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who called on Israel to “immediately stop this madness” and end its attacks on Gaza.
Erdogan also urged other Arab leaders to join the protest and support the Palestinian cause. He said Turkey would continue to stand by the Palestinians against Israel’s “persecution” and “occupation”.
The protesters waved Turkish and Palestinian flags, chanted slogans such as “Down with Israel” and “Free Palestine”, and held banners that read “Gaza will not surrender” and “Stop the genocide”.
The protest in Istanbul was one of many that have taken place across Turkey and around the world in recent weeks, expressing outrage and solidarity with the Palestinians.