A press conference was held in Istanbul on the first day of the new year regarding the ‘Support Palestine Rally’ to be held in Istanbul. Speaking at the meeting, TÜGVA High Advisory Board Member Bilal Erdoğan underlined that there is no real ceasefire in Gaza, stating, “We believe that the international community should act quickly to implement a two-state solution in this region. I say, let’s meet at Galata Bridge on the morning of January 1st to give a strong voice to the world once again.”
No Real Ceasefire in Gaza, Escalating Attacks in West Bank
Erdoğan highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that even Israeli human rights organizations have unequivocally stated that a genocide is taking place in Gaza. “Therefore, this issue is not a political issue; it is a supra-political issue that concerns the conscience of humanity. For this, we need a human alliance more than ever before,” he asserted. He added that not only is there no real ceasefire in Gaza, but attacks on civilians in the West Bank have also increased more than ever before. Erdoğan expressed appreciation for President Erdoğan’s sincere efforts and strong leadership on this matter, wishing that all Islamic countries could stand behind this leadership.
“We are not intimidated, we are not silent, we do not forget Palestine”
The rally, organized by the National Will Platform, will be held on January 1st at Galata Bridge with the slogan “We are not intimidated, we are not silent, we do not forget Palestine.” The press conference, held at the TÜGVA General Headquarters, was attended by TÜGVA General President İbrahim Beşinci, TÜGVA High Advisory Board Member Bilal Erdoğan, as well as Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Özbek, Beşiktaş Sports Club President Serdal Adalı, Trabzon Sports Club President Ertuğrul Doğan, Fenerbahçe Sports Club Congress Members Ertan Torunoğulları and Taner Sönmezer, and representatives of numerous non-governmental organizations.
“Mercy to Our Martyrs, Support for Palestine”
Bilal Erdoğan reiterated the rally’s slogan, “Mercy to our martyrs, support for Palestine,” emphasizing the humanitarian crisis. “We are talking about a genocide where over 70,000 innocent people – whose exact number we still don’t know – and at least 20,000 children have been massacred. Many international organizations and independent courts have already stated that this is a genocide. Even Israel’s own human rights organizations have stated, beyond any doubt, that what is happening here is a genocide,” he said. He stressed the need to prevent the resurgence of Israeli Nazism and to establish real peace in the region, holding the perpetrators accountable and making Israel pay war reparations. Erdoğan also suggested that the reconstruction of Gaza should be carried out by Israeli Nazism, which is responsible for this genocide.
Major Sports Clubs Call on Fans to Join the Rally
The presidents and board members of Turkey’s four major sports clubs also called on their fans to participate in the rally.
Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek: “We Cannot Remain Indifferent to the Human Tragedy”
Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Özbek stated, “Today we are here for an event that will greatly support the announcement of what is happening in Palestine, the oppression in Palestine, to the world. As Galatasaray Sports Club, we have shown our sensitivity on this issue in our stadium events since the first day of the events in Palestine. As Galatasaray Sports Club, it is not possible for us to remain indifferent to the human tragedy happening here. I invite my Galatasaray fans, Galatasaray lovers, to the event on January 1st. I hope the message given there will be the first message of the new year. I think this is of great importance.”
Beşiktaş President Serdal Adalı: “The Flowing Tears and Blood Have Not Stopped”
Beşiktaş Sports Club President Serdal Adalı remarked, “There are organized events, rallies. But we must continue this. Unfortunately, the flowing tears and blood have not stopped. As the Turkish nation, we must join hands and do something about it. We try to be in these events as much as we can, we try to fight for it. I congratulate TÜGVA for leading this struggle.”
Fenerbahçe Congress Member Ertan Torunoğulları: “We Will Give a Beautiful Picture to the World with Other Communities”
Fenerbahçe Sports Club Congress Member Ertan Torunoğulları said, “Of course, we will support our Palestinian brothers and sisters in every way. Our President also keeps this on the agenda constantly. We, our community, together with other communities, will hopefully bring this to the agenda again on January 1st by giving a beautiful picture to the world.”
Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan: “This is Not a Political Issue, But a Human Issue”
Trabzonspor Club President Ertuğrul Doğan emphasized, “As Trabzonspor Club, we have given every kind of reaction, big or small, in every way possible, and we will continue to do so. It should be said here that this is not a political issue, it is truly a human issue. I think this situation should be eliminated with a joint effort. I greet everyone with respect and love. My last words here are, the slogan is very beautiful, we should not be silent about this issue in any way, and we should never forget Palestine.”
Source: https://www.haberturk.com/istanbul-da-filistin-toplantisi-3847449
