About 500,000 people marched across Istanbul’s Galata Bridge in a major show of solidarity with Palestinians, denouncing Israel’s conduct in Gaza and expressing scepticism that a recently announced ceasefire has delivered real relief. The protest was organised by the National Will Platform with backing from more than 400 civil society groups and several Turkish football clubs. Demonstrators called for sustained international pressure as reports say over 400 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began and aid access remains restricted.
About 500,000 Rally on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge in Solidarity With Gaza
An aerial view of boats carrying Palestinian flags around Galata Bridge [Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu via Getty Images]
About half a million people filled Istanbul’s historic Galata Bridge and surrounding streets on Thursday in one of the largest pro-Palestine demonstrations Turkey has seen since the war began. The march brought together civil society groups, football fans and ordinary citizens who voiced solidarity with Palestinians and scepticism that a recently announced ceasefire has brought lasting relief.
Organisers and Slogans
The rally was organised by more than 400 civil society organisations under the National Will Platform and supported by several major Turkish football clubs. Marchers rallied under the slogan: “We won’t remain silent, we won’t forget Palestine.” Protesters braved freezing temperatures, carrying Palestinian and Turkish flags as they converged on the bridge.
Prominent Voices
Dursun Özbek, chair of Galatasaray football club, called Israel’s actions a moral reckoning and urged solidarity. “We will not get used to this silence,” he said in a video message shared on X. “Standing shoulder to shoulder against oppression, we come together on the same side for humanity.”
Lebanese-born singer Maher Zain performed at the rally, leading attendees in the song “Free Palestine” as a sea of flags waved across the gathering.
Public Mood and Political Reach
Thousands of people have gathered across Istanbul to march in solidarity with Palestinians, calling for an end to the genocidal war on Gaza, on January 1, 2026 [Muhammed Ali Yigit/Anadolu via Getty Images]
Al Jazeera’s Turkey correspondent Sinem Köseoğlu, reporting from the scene, said the issue has become a rare point of national consensus that cuts across political lines—uniting supporters of the governing AK Party and opposition voters alike. Many demonstrators described the announced pause in fighting as fragile and insufficient.
“These people here do not believe in the ceasefire,” Köseoğlu said. “They believe the current ceasefire is not a real ceasefire, but a slow-motion continuation of the genocide.”
Figures, Measures and Ongoing Concerns
Police sources and the Anadolu state news agency estimated attendance at about 500,000 people. Turkey has taken steps including cutting some trade ties and closing airspace and ports to Israel; however, many protesters demanded sustained international pressure and concrete measures rather than symbolic gestures.
Organisers and participants warned that violence and humanitarian restrictions continue: more than 400 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire went into effect and aid deliveries remain constrained into the besieged Gaza Strip. Turkey has positioned itself as a vocal critic of Israel and played a role in brokering a ceasefire announced in October with international partners.
What Demonstrators Want
Overall, the march aimed to keep international attention on Gaza, press for uninterrupted aid access and call for durable political action. The scale of the mobilisation — amplified by football clubs and civil society — underlined deep public anger and a broad cross-section of support for sustained measures on behalf of Palestinians.
Help us improve.
