National Will Platform and 308 NGOs Prepare for Historic Protest in Memory of 12 Soldiers Martyred in Operation Claw Lock and in Solidarity with Gaza
In a groundbreaking move, 308 civil society organizations, members of the National Will Platform, are gearing up for an unprecedented protest to honor the 12 soldiers martyred in Operation Claw Lock and show solidarity with Gaza. Thousands are expected to gather on Galata Bridge at 8:30 AM on January 1, 2024, chanting the slogan “Mercy for Our Martyrs, Support for Palestine, Curse on Israel.”
The recent killing of 12 heroic soldiers by the PKK terrorist organization and the massacre of 20,000 civilians in Gaza under Israeli bombardment since October 7, following the rejection of the UN Security Council’s humanitarian ceasefire resolution by the United States, has spurred civil society organizations into action.
In a press conference held at the TÜGVA Headquarters, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, the President of the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge (İlim Yayma Vakfı), along with 22 NGO leaders, announced the upcoming historic protest scheduled for January 1.
Ibrahim Beşinci, President of the Türkiye Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), shared a joint statement on behalf of the NGOs, emphasizing that the names of the perpetrators may change, but their goals remain the same. He highlighted the need for a collective response against terrorists targeting the nation and its flag, stating, “We are aware that we are at a historic turning point. In these crucial days, inspired by our martyrs, we will raise our voice and convey the message of this nation to the whole world. Our condolences to the families of our martyrs, may our nation endure.”
Making an appeal on the basis of “being human,” the NGO leaders called for the participation of all citizens in a historic demonstration on Galata Bridge. They underlined the extraordinary brutality and genocide perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza, urging the global community to react against the inhumane policies of oppressors.
The route for the historic protest was also unveiled during the press conference. The march, starting at Sultanahmet Square at 8:30 AM on January 1, 2024, will proceed over Galata Bridge, which will be closed to traffic during the demonstration—a first in the history of the Republic.
The press conference concluded with an invitation to all mothers, fathers, children, siblings, and citizens to join the procession, emphasizing the symbolic significance of starting the new year with a message of unity and solidarity for Palestine on Galata Bridge—a landmark event in the history of mass demonstrations in Türkiye.