ABNA24 - Thousands of demonstrators braved heavy rain and freezing temperatures in Istanbul on Friday to voice their defiance against ongoing US and Israeli aggression across the region, answering the call of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH), the Palestine Support Platform, and the Islamic Solidarity Platform.
The mass rally, held under the banner "We do not want occupying Israel and America in our geography," set off from the historic Fatih Mosque following Friday prayers, with participants flooding the streets of the Fatih district to express solidarity with nations under attack across the Islamic world.
Chants of "Death to imperialism," "Death to Zionism," "Long live the global intifada," and "Palestine is free from the river to the sea" echoed through the streets as protesters raised takbirs, sending a clear message of resistance to the ongoing military campaigns targeting the region.
'Iran's missiles exposed them'
Addressing the crowd, İHH President Bülent Yıldırım delivered a fiery speech condemning the US-Israeli alliance and calling for Muslim unity in the face of aggression.
"Muslims, be vigilant. Unite," Yıldırım declared. "We have seen what America is—it is nothing. We have seen what Israel is—it is nothing. They were shattered by Iran's missiles alone. If Islamic nations form a united defensive line, by God's will, they will be completely destroyed."
Yıldırım asserted that the root cause of the conflicts engulfing the region is Israel's very presence, emphasizing that the ongoing war against Iran is an unjust campaign orchestrated by Washington and Tel Aviv. He accused the US and Israel of massacring children in both Iran and Palestine, calling for an immediate end to the bloodshed.
"We want Islamic unity," he stressed. "We do not want war in our region. We want to mobilize the nations of the world. The moment this war against Iran ends, Israel will once again strike Palestine. Israel feeds on blood and understands only the language of force. That is why a Muslim must never fight a Muslim."
Yıldırım pointed to statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that the regime has outlined a strategy to first dismantle the Shia axis before targeting the Sunni world.
"Netanyahu says: first I will eliminate the Shia axis, then the Sunni axis. Muslims will not fall for this game," he stated.
'Al-Aqsa in danger'
Yıldırım also sounded the alarm over escalating threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, warning that Israel is preparing to encroach further upon the holy site.
"Prayers have not been held at Al-Aqsa. The gates of Al-Aqsa are closed. After this war, Israel will move toward Al-Aqsa," he cautioned.
He announced renewed efforts to challenge the Israeli blockade, recalling past maritime solidarity missions. "We are preparing ships once again. God willing, 'Mavi Marmara' will set sail once more. This time, 200 ships from Europe and Islamic nations will move. With these ships, the siege will be broken."
Direct appeal to Islamic nations
In a direct address to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Yıldırım urged member states to enter into a military cooperation pact, warning of grave consequences should they fail to act.
"Enter into military cooperation. Otherwise, the tears of Palestinian children will drown you as well," he warned. "Palestine trusted you and protected Al-Aqsa. The blood of Muslim nations is a trust in the hands of Muslim governments."
'Istanbul will stand against global Zionism'
Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, head of the Palestine Support Platform, echoed the sentiments of the rally, praising civil society organizations that have taken a firm stance against Israeli and American aggression.
"These marches of yours will, God willing, bring an end to Israel's oppression," Kabaktepe said. "I thank all civil organizations that have said 'no' to Israel and to the war and oppression that America has unleashed in our region."
He affirmed that Istanbul and Turkey would continue to stand as a bulwark against what he termed global Zionism, global injustice, and the hegemonic ambitions of Western powers.
"Just as it has been until today, from now on Istanbul and Turkey will stand against this global Zionism, this global oppression, and this global hegemony," Kabaktepe stated. "We want Muslim nations and peoples not to stand against one another, but to stand as brothers."
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