Tens of thousands of people gather on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza in an anti-Israel protest.
Demonstrators wave Turkish and Palestinian flags and chant “Free Palestine” in the protest, organized by the National Will Platform, a coalition of more than 300 pro-Palestinian and Islamic groups.
Bilal Erdoğan, the son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addresses the crowd, urging support for Gaza and condemning Israel’s actions there.
He refers to the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces.
“Muslims in Syria were determined, patient and they achieved victory. After Syria, Gaza will emerge victoriously from the siege,” he says.
Drone video shows thousands of people filling the bridge and the adjacent Eminönü and Sirkeci districts.
President Erdoğan has been a fierce critic of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas terror group’s October 7 onslaught.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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