A march in support of Palestine was held under the leadership of IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. The march, attended by tens of thousands of people, started in front of the Hagia Sophia Mosque after the evening prayer and continued in front of the Eminönü New Mosque.
During the march on the tramway, participants chanted slogans such as "Long Live the Global Intifada, Killer Israel, Collaborator USA, Free Free Palestine, Killer Israel Get Out of Palestine" and chanted takbirs.
The program in front of the New Mosque started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Addressing the participants after the recitation, Law Professor Frank Romano stated that he had not lost his hopes for the Freedom Flotilla.
"We will set out for Gaza as soon as possible. Israel stuck a big dagger into our hearts with its attacks. Palestine is in our hearts. Palestinians give me hope with their resistance," Romano said.
“WE WANT A PERMANENT CEASE CEASE”
Freedom Flotilla activist Mary Beth Brownlee stated that they demanded a permanent ceasefire.
"We demand the free entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including through the Rafah Border Gate. We will set out with the Freedom Flotilla and go directly to Gaza. We demand a free Palestine on Palestinian land," Brownlee said.
“LIBERTY FLEET WILL SET TOWARDS THE MEDITERRANEAN”
Mavi Marmara Association President Beheşti İsmail Songür also touched upon occupying Israel's efforts to obstruct the Freedom Flotilla.
"Since no strong pressure has been created for 7 and a half months, aid is going to Palestine through the Rafah Border Gate, almost moribund under Israeli control. As you know, the Freedom Flotilla has been preparing to go to Gaza for months. Our ships are ready, participants from nearly 100 countries of the world are ready. The Freedom Fleet will set out for the Mediterranean. We will deliver your support to Palestine. We will work for the reconstruction of Gaza," Songür said.
“WE WANT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FREE PALESTINE FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA”
Athlete Necmettin Erbakan Akyüz, whose European Championship was taken away from him by the European Wushu Kung Fu Federation due to his support for Palestine, also made a speech in the program.
"We want the establishment of a free Palestine from river to sea," Akyüz said.
The action ended after a prayer for the freedom of Palestine.