According to the Turkish press, on October 28, around a million people gathered in Istanbul at Ataturk International Airport for a large demonstration organized by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to show their support for Palestine.
Leaders from various sectors took part in the protest, including President Erdogan, political representatives, state officials and representatives from the media, arts, sports and culture.
The aim of the demonstration was to denounce Israeli actions in the region and emphasize solidarity with the Palestinian people. In his speech, AKP President and leader of the Turkish nation Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the Western powers for their “attitude of inaction in the face of the massacre by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza.”
According to the Turkish state agency Anadolu, Erdoğan told the hundreds of thousands of supporters in attendance that the West was the main culprit for what was happening in Gaza and drew attention to the violence and oppression sponsored by the Israeli army.
Political leaders of the National Alliance, including Devlet Bahçeli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Mustafa Destici of the Grand Union Party (BBP), also took part in the protest.
This event was the first meeting of the People’s Alliance since the elections in May this year, bringing together leaders from different parties. The demonstration also served as a call for immediate action to ensure the safety and rights of the Palestinian people. The video below shows some of these mobilizations.
Ataturk Airport is currently only used for executive, military and some special cargo flights. All passenger flights operating there were relocated to the new Istanbul Airport.
“Great Palestine Meeting” A huge crowd of around a million people gathered at the old Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL/LTBA) to show their solidarity with Palestine. #Airport pic.twitter.com/F2y8ls9IHX
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) October 28, 2023