More than 10,000 people gathered Monday night in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul’s Levent district to protest the attack of Israeli naval forces on a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip.
Many said they had gathered to have their voices heard and to show the volunteers on the aid ships as well as people in the Gaza Strip that they are not alone and that they are supported.
The protesters called on the Turkish government to cancel all bilateral agreements with Israel and dismiss all Israeli diplomatic bodies present in Turkey.
The crowd, which numbered 1,000 to 1,500 people during the day, grew considerably toward sunset and reached more than 10,000 at around 10 p.m, closing traffic on Büyükdere street, which runs in front of the Israeli Consulate. Thousands of women and children of all ages were also among the protesters, and according to the police at the venue, the number of female protesters had risen considerably in the late afternoon.
Several people were carrying placards with various slogans such as “It is enough,” “Do not remain silent” and “Keeping silent against violence means to be a part of it.”
Representatives of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, or İHH, said in their speeches that Israeli soldiers attacked with real weapons, calling the incident a crime against humanity. They condemned the Israeli attacks and urged both national and international authorities not to remain silent but to take measures against Israel instead.
“The traitor, sly and cruel Israel, attacked cowardly,” they said, adding that nothing could stop their voices from being heard.
[adrotate group=”10″]
