Following Tarawih prayers, a crowd gathered at the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha Mosque and marched to the consulate chanting slogans in support of Palestine, HAMAS, and against the israeli occupation.
HÜDA PAR Deputy Chairman Mahmut Şahin, Provincial Chairman İsa Güvendik, municipal candidates, and many citizens attended the press statement delivered in front of the consulate.
Şahin: "Israeli Terror Regime Achieved No Goals in Six Months"
Şahin highlighted that despite nearly six months of bombardment, the israeli attacks on Gaza have yielded no results.
"For almost six months, Gaza has been under relentless bombardment," Şahin declared. "The apartheid, genocidal, and terrorist regime of Israel continues its attacks with utter disregard for human values, respect, or principles."
He continued, "Following the start of the Aqsa Storm, the Israeli terrorist regime, its collaborators, and its imperialist backers, led by the United States, Britain, France, Germany, descended upon the region like vultures. Their initial goals were to depopulate Gaza quickly, expel Muslims from the territory, and neutralize HAMAS by assassinating its leaders. Additionally, they aimed to rescue hostages held by HAMAS and establish their supposed invincibility. However, after nearly six months, all these goals have demonstrably failed. The supposedly invincible powers have been defeated, the 'Iron Dome' defense system has been breached, and the vaunted intelligence agencies of Israel, like Mossad, have been exposed as fallible."
"Faced with this comprehensive defeat," Şahin lamented, "the Israelis have resorted to the barbaric tactic of bombing civilians, including women, children, the elderly, schools, mosques, medical personnel, and humanitarian organizations. In response, the courageous resistance of HAMAS and the Al-Qassam Brigades has become a beacon of hope for Muslims and humanity worldwide."
Şahin Criticizes Double Standards and Calls for Boycott
Şahin pointed out the glaring hypocrisy of the West in their response to the conflict, highlighting the stark contrast between their support for Ukraine's resistance and their condemnation of HAMAS.
"The international community exposes its hypocrisy when comparing the situations in Ukraine and Palestine," Şahin said. "While they laud Ukraine's resistance against Russian occupation as honorable, they demonize HAMAS's resistance as terrorism. They readily provided Ukraine with all kinds of military support. In contrast, their response to the ongoing massacre, genocide, and crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Gaza has been, at best, lukewarm criticism of the 'disproportionate use of force.'
"What action have Muslim countries taken in the face of this blatant double standard?" he questioned. "They have only issued weak condemnations, offering no real support. The international community, universal law, and human rights have all crumbled in the face of Western and American hypocrisy. Once again, Muslims have seen the true colors of these supposed allies."
Şahin further condemned companies that continue to trade with Israel despite the ongoing atrocities.
"There are still companies, essentially acting against their own interests, that continue to trade with Israel for meager profits," he stated. "These entities, and the officials who allow their trade to continue, will be held accountable and face humiliation in this life and the hereafter. There are also those who belittle the boycott of Israel and support companies that do business with them. To these individuals, we say: your actions contribute to the oppression in Israel. We urge you to join the boycott immediately."
Tuncay: "A Rare Oppression Demands Action"
Yunus Emre Tuncay, Chairman of the Zeytinburnu Youth Branch on behalf of HÜDA PAR Istanbul Provincial Presidency, addressed the gathering in a press release.
Tuncay emphasized the extraordinary hardship endured by Palestinians in Gaza during Ramadan.
"Our Gazan brothers and sisters struggle to find even a morsel of bread or a sip of water to break their fast," Tuncay conveyed. "The entire world, including the Islamic world, remains silent in the face of this appalling oppression. The Zionist savages attacking Gaza are not just killing people; they are extinguishing the conscience of the world."
He went on to say, "The true casualties are not only those who are martyred due to hunger, thirst, and lack of food, but also those who consent to this oppression by their silence. Those who prioritize material gain over humanity, spirituality, and international cooperation are equally complicit. Where are those who claim to be humanitarians? The Palestinian people are experiencing an oppression unlike any other in history. How long will the world remain silent? Isn't it time for concrete action?"
Tuncay also urged Islamic leaders to take immediate action, including opening humanitarian corridors to Gaza, severing ties with Israel, and securing a permanent ceasefire by Eid al-Fitr. (ILKHA)