The march, which began in Beyazıt Square and concluded at Hagia Sophia Square, saw participants carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags and holding photos of the Mavi Marmara martyrs, as they chanted slogans and takbirs against israeli occupation regime and in support of Palestine.

The event began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Rıdvan Akbaş, the Muezzin of Hagia Sophia-i Kebir Mosque. Beheshti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Association, delivered a speech in which he recounted the tragic events of 14 years ago, when Israeli forces attacked the Mavi Marmara in international waters.

“Exactly 14 years ago, terrorist forces attacked our ship in the Mediterranean Sea and martyred 10 of our brothers. We have brothers and sisters among us who were young at the time and who did not lose their relatives, fathers, and uncles. 14 years have passed; those children have grown up and 14 years later they are preparing to set sail again to the Mediterranean to lift the blockade on Gaza,” Songür said.

Songür highlighted the challenges faced by the new freedom flotilla, including sabotage attempts and procedural obstacles imposed by Israel. He emphasized the urgency of civilian action if states do not intervene to end the war in Gaza, stating, “According to official figures, more than 45,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza, and we have been waiting for almost eight months for the states to do something to end the war there. If the state does not do anything, we as civilians are ready to set out from all over the world.”

Songür also addressed the issue of Turkish citizens fighting alongside Israeli forces in Gaza, calling for them to be stripped of their citizenship and tried for crimes against humanity. “All Turkish citizens from Turkey who went to Israel and fought in Gaza should be identified and stripped of their citizenship as soon as possible and tried for crimes against humanity,” he declared.

He further urged Islamic countries to take a united stand against Israel, stating, “States are responsible for the ceasefire in Gaza. Right now, 57 Islamic countries should come together and stand against whoever is in the region such as America, England, Greece, and Germany. If we cannot take a stand against Israel now, tomorrow you will see the same problem on your own borders.”

Songür concluded with a pledge to continue the efforts to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and to challenge Israeli actions, saying, “We will continue to float our flotillas in the Mediterranean until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, until humanitarian aid reaches there, and until Israel gets out of wherever it came from, Inshallah.”

The demonstration underscored the ongoing commitment of activists to support the Palestinian cause and to seek justice for the victims of the Mavi Marmara incident. (ILKHA)