ISTANBUL: Around 520,000 people gathered early on New Year’s Day at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge for a large-scale march in solidarity with Palestinians, organisers said, as demonstrators called for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza and began 2026 with prayers and public protest.
Organised under the umbrella of the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform, the rally, held with the participation of more than 400 civil society organisations and led by the Turkish Youth Foundation (TUGVA), took place under the slogan: “We won’t cower, we won’t keep quiet, we won’t forget Palestine.” Participants called for an end to what they described as genocide in Gaza.
Ahead of the march, thousands gathered before dawn for morning prayers at major mosques across Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Suleymaniye and Eminonu New Mosque. Many carried Turkish and Palestinian flags as they assembled in mosque courtyards.
🇹🇷| 🇵🇸 Around 520,000 people converge at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day for large-scale Palestine solidarity march
👥 Event held under Humanity Alliance and National Will Platform, bringing together more than 400 civil society groups
🗣️ Demonstrators rally under… pic.twitter.com/tpwF9RTQBK
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 1, 2026
Despite freezing temperatures, turnout was high. Authorities implemented extensive security measures, particularly around Sultanahmet Square, where participants were also offered hot refreshments.
Following prayers, demonstrators marched on foot towards Galata Bridge, joined by ministers, senior officials and figures listed in the official state protocol. The programme officially began at 8:30 a.m. local time (05:30 GMT).
A large banner depicting Hanzala—the iconic figure created by late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali—was displayed behind the main press platform. The event also featured performances by artists and musicians, including Lebanese-Swedish singer Maher Zain, Turkish artist Esat Kabakli and the band Grup Yuruyus.
‘We began the new year by praying for Palestine.’
🇹🇷|🇵🇸 Lebanese-Swedish singer Maher Zain joins large Palestine solidarity rally at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day
🗣️ Zain performs ‘Free Palestine’ during demonstration, as thousands gather to show support and call for end to violence pic.twitter.com/ufB85TnmLz
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 1, 2026
Speaking to reporters during the march, Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Ilim Yayma Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a member of TUGVA’s High Advisory Board, said beginning the new year with prayers for Palestine carried deep spiritual significance.
“We are praying for the oppressed in Palestine, commemorating our martyrs, and asking that 2026 bring goodness for our nation and for the Palestinian people,” he said, thanking those who participated and supported the prayers.
Erdogan noted that participation had grown year after year, reflecting what he described as strong shared values across Turkish society.
Strong messages from organisers
Addressing the crowd, TUGVA Chair Ibrahim Besinci said the scale of the rally represented a collective moral stance against the violence in Gaza.
“Today, there are hundreds of thousands here—an honourable nation standing upright against this genocide,” he said, describing Galata Bridge as a “tribune of conscience” bringing together people from different backgrounds.
Besinci also commemorated three police officers killed days earlier during an operation against the Daesh group in northwestern Yalova province.
Citing figures on Gaza, Besinci said tens of thousands of civilians had been killed over the past two years, with widespread destruction of families and infrastructure, and thousands injured or detained.
An art installation titled “Roots” was unveiled on Galata Bridge to highlight what organisers described as the targeting of culture and art in Gaza. The installation featured an olive tree rising from rubble, overturned chairs, scattered musical instruments, books and a camera—symbols of memory, resistance and cultural survival. The phrase “We Will Stay Here,” written in three languages, underscored the message of perseverance.
