Hundreds of Thousands Rally Across Türkiye Supporting Palestinians and Gaza Aid Flotilla

Hundreds of thousands of protesters worldwide, including large demonstrations in Turkey, Europe, and the U.S., have rallied in support of Palestinians and against Israeli military actions in Gaza. In Turkey, the largest marches took place in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with participants showing solidarity through marches from iconic landmarks and boat flotillas, notably the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces. These protests coincided with the second anniversary of Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and highlighted ongoing concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, with over 67,000 Palestinians reported killed by Israeli attacks according to Gaza authorities. In London, authorities arrested over 440 protesters supporting Palestine Action, a group designated as a terror organization, sparking criticism from activists who denounced the arrests of nonviolent demonstrators. In the U.S., activists peacefully blocked a port in New Jersey to protest the shipment of weapons to Israel, condemning government support for the conflict. The widespread demonstrations emphasize global Muslim solidarity with Palestinians, condemnation of Israeli military operations described by some as genocide, and calls to end the blockade and violence in Gaza.