Ankara: ‘Global Resistance to Global Occupation’ March Against US and Israeli Attacks
Ankara, May 17, 2026 – Hundreds of people participated in a ‘Global Resistance to Global Occupation’ march in Ankara yesterday, organized by the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform (ANFIDAP) and the Ankara Civil Society Platform (ASTP). The demonstration aimed to protest against recent attacks attributed to the United States and Israel.
The march commenced from in front of Safa Mosque in Çankaya and proceeded towards the US Embassy. Participants carried Turkish and Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against Israel and the US. Banners displayed messages such as “The world is bigger than Zionism,” “No to war,” and “Global resistance to global occupation.”
Humanity’s Conscience Awakened
Following the march, Muhammed Emin Ökçe, a member of the ANFIDAP Advisory Board, delivered a press statement on behalf of the platforms. He stated that the gathering was intended to awaken the conscience of humanity, emphasizing that humanity is currently experiencing one of its darkest periods, with international law being trampled upon and global bullying knowing no bounds.
Ökçe asserted, “The US administration, enslaved by the Zionist regime, is attempting to build a new rogue world order centered on Israel’s security and immunity.”
Attacks on Iran and Human Rights Violations
Ökçe also drew attention to the attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, highlighting that targeting civilians and children and destroying infrastructure in the country constitutes a crime against humanity. He reminded the audience that schools, hospitals, places of worship, and civilian settlements, which are prohibited targets under international conventions, were bombed in Iran, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
According to Ökçe, the true objective in Iran is to protect Israel’s regional interests, force a regime change, weaken Iran’s defense capabilities, and seize its energy resources. He further stated, “The attack carried out while negotiations were ongoing has taken its place in history as a dark page in diplomatic history. What stands before us today is a new rogue world order, a transformed version of colonialism. This order places power above law. This approach, represented by the Trump administration, poisons the international system, disregards the sovereign rights of states, and eradicates the fundamental values of humanity. US imperialism poses a great threat to humanity not only through military occupations and economic sanctions but also by instrumentalizing international institutions for its own interests.”
Gaza and the Call for Justice
Ökçe reminded the attendees that Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children, the destruction of urban infrastructure, and the use of hunger as a weapon. He stressed that the genocide in Gaza continues, declaring, “No agreement that does not recognize Palestine’s sovereign rights and does not end the Israeli occupation is legitimate. Today, against the silence of states, the conscience of the people is rising up.”
Following the speech, Zeynel Abidin Özkan, an activist with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is en route to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, addressed the participants via telephone. The event concluded with prayers, after which the participants dispersed.
