Marching along Fırat Boulevard in Diyarbakır's Kayapınar district, the demonstrators chanted slogans, recited takbir, and waved Palestinian flags as they made their way towards Yenihal Bridge Junction for a press statement.

The event drew a massive crowd, including high-profile political figures such as HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu. Addressing the participants, Yapıcıoğlu delivered a passionate speech that condemned the global silence surrounding the ongoing genocide in Palestine. “For a year, humanity has remained unresponsive and insensitive to the genocide that started on October 7, 2023,” he declared. "Despite the superpowers behind the occupation regime, it will kneel in the face of the Islamic Union. That day is near."

Yapıcıoğlu emphasized the significance of October 7 as a turning point in the unity of the Muslim ummah (community), describing the Aqsa Flood operation as "a milestone in the awakening of the ummah." He urged Muslims worldwide to continue their resistance and solidarity, stressing, “We will not stop until Palestine is free.”

Following Yapıcıoğlu’s speech, Ramazan Tekdemir, President of Memur-Sen Provincial Branch, took to the stage on behalf of Islamic NGOs in Diyarbakır. Quoting from the Quran, Tekdemir began his statement by declaring: “Those who oppress will soon know what kind of revolution they will be overthrown by.” His speech was a fiery condemnation of the Zionist regime's 75-year occupation of Palestinian land. "Our Palestinian brothers and sisters have been subjected to all kinds of violations since the first day of occupation," Tekdemir said. "They have been massacred, their homes have been usurped, and they’ve been forced into exile. More than 200,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Zionists since 1948."

He also drew attention to the recent atrocities committed in Gaza, emphasizing the devastating toll the latest phase of the conflict has taken. "Since October 7 alone, 45,000 people—20,000 of them children—have been martyred in Gaza," he stated. "More than a million Palestinians have been imprisoned since 1967, subjected to the most barbaric torture, and over 10 million have been forcibly displaced. This occupation has turned Palestine into the world’s largest refugee camp."

Tekdemir then praised the resilience of the Palestinian people, particularly their refusal to submit to oppression. "Our brothers and sisters chose resistance and martyrdom over humiliation. They didn’t give in," he said passionately. "The sighs of the oppressed have reached the heavens, the cries of mothers have set our consciences on fire. The fire is getting closer, and we must act before it consumes us all."

Tekdemir continued his speech by emphasizing the global implications of the conflict, asserting that the occupation regime's ambitions extend beyond Palestine. "Yesterday it was Gaza, today it’s Lebanon, and if we don’t act, tomorrow it will be Türkiye, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and other countries in the region," he warned. "The Zionists have set their sights on the land between the Euphrates and the Nile. We must stop looking to the West for help. There is no other option but for Türkiye and the countries of the region to come together and join forces."

Calling for a united Muslim front, Tekdemir proposed the establishment of a "Jerusalem Alliance," a regional coalition dedicated to resisting Israeli aggression. "With the Gaza resistance, the myth of the invincibility of the U.S. and European countries has been shattered," he declared. "Concrete steps must be taken to stop the Zionist occupation. Türkiye and other regional countries must form this force and take action."

Tekdemir’s criticism extended to Western powers and international institutions, which he accused of complicity in the genocide. “Western states and international bodies serve the Zionist entity,” he said. "They are providing military, logistical, and intelligence support for the Zionists' expansionist policies. Hoping for help from the West is like searching for water in the desert."

He also addressed the controversial Abraham Accords, warning the region’s countries not to be swayed by agreements with the Zionist state. "We warn those countries in the region aiding the Zionist regime and the U.S. through the Abraham Agreement: Stop acting like a prisoner in love with his executioner," he urged. "Do not jeopardize your future, your independence, and your hereafter."

As the event drew to a close, Tekdemir reminded the crowd of the broader implications of the struggle. "Our Palestinian brothers and sisters, who have the largest refugee population in the world due to the Zionist occupation, are waiting for the day when this oppression ends," he said. He called on Muslims worldwide to support the Palestinian cause, financially, politically, and morally. “Support the resistance, boycott Zionist products, and push for real action to stop the massacres.”

Tekdemir concluded by recalling the martyrdom of Yasin Börü and his friends, victims of the October 6-8 Kobane protests, and drew parallels between their deaths and the ongoing violence in Gaza. "The mentality that murdered Yasin Börü is the same mentality that is murdering children in Gaza today," he said. "We remember them, and we will not forget their sacrifices."

The march ended with a prayer for Gaza and Palestine, as the crowd expressed their anger towards the PKK and other groups they believed to be complicit in the region’s instability. Tekdemir’s final words echoed through the crowd: "May the day of liberation come soon for Palestine, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa."

This monumental march in Diyarbakır not only highlighted the deep emotional and political ties that local residents feel towards the Palestinian cause but also underscored a broader call for unity among Muslim nations. The speeches by Yapıcıoğlu and Tekdemir resonated with a sense of urgency, challenging both the international community and the Islamic world to stand firm against Zionist oppression. (ILKHA)