The encampment, marked by pitched tents, is a symbol of the students’ commitment to the cause. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rasim Tösten, who supports the action, emphasized the aim of fostering an international movement in support of Palestine and ensuring a broader voice against the oppression of Israel.

“We are trying to mobilize the conscience of the world to stop the oppression of Israel,” said Tösten. He further explained that the purpose of their tent protest is to put an end to the massacres perpetrated by Israel. “We are carrying out this action to express our dissatisfaction with the oppression and massacres, which we find unacceptable, and to voice our discomfort with the fact that this ugliness is happening before the eyes of the whole world.”

Tösten stressed the importance of raising awareness among students and making the voices of the suffering people of Palestine and Gaza heard worldwide. "We are here to stop this oppression. In universities and academic environments, we strive to emphasize the importance of humanity living in unity, solidarity, and brotherhood. Therefore, we wanted to support our students’ strong protests. We stand with our students here. With our students and academics, we want to make our voice heard to the world to put an end to Israel’s oppression.”

Hacer Kontuk, another participant, emphasized the importance of conveying and highlighting the sufferings in Palestine to the world. "These actions are generally carried out against the governments in the West; however, we are conducting this action with the full support of the administrators here. Heart-breaking sufferings in Gaza should not be normalized. Children are dying there, how would we feel if we experienced this? How could we endure this pain? Allah has granted them this faith, they have passed their test. However, it is important how we fulfil our responsibilities,” she said.

The students at Siirt University continue their protest, hoping their actions will contribute to ending the oppression in Palestine.

The solidarity demonstrated by students at Siirt University in support of Palestine is commendable and underscores the global outcry against the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

The encampment serves as a powerful symbol of unity and activism, highlighting the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and advocating for justice and peace in the region.

It's heartening to see academia play a role in raising awareness and mobilizing support for the plight of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity in bringing about meaningful change. (ILKHA)