The press conference took place at the Eyüp Sultan Bahariye Mevlevi Lodge and was attended by prominent figures such as the President of the Platform in Support of Palestine Mehmet Güney, President of the İlim Yayma Foundation Bilal Erdoğan, and Head of Istanbul IHH Mehmet Kesmen. After the opening speech by Mehmet Güney, Coordinator of the Platform Salih İnce read the official press statement.
In his opening remarks, Güney emphasized the following:
“An occupation centered on terror began in 1948, and since then, genocide has continued relentlessly. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters have paid an unimaginable price. According to official figures, there have been over 60,000 martyrs, more than 100,000 wounded, and over 15,000 prisoners. This is a massive injustice waged against Gaza, which has a population of over 2 million. The human rights violations, the use of food and medicine as weapons (of war), and the trampling of human dignity deeply disturb us as stakeholders in the Platform in Support of Palestine.”
“They Want to Wipe Palestine Off the Map”
The press statement that followed the opening speech highlighted the systematic efforts to erase Palestine:
“Even before October 7, the Palestinian people lived under the daily pressure of occupation. Raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque were increasing daily, homes were being forcibly evacuated, lands were being seized, and Palestinian prisoners were subjected to systematic torture. The world’s silence in the face of this oppression was normalized. The fact that Netanyahu could hold up a flag at the UN podium showing a map where Palestine was completely erased was not just symbolic—it clearly revealed the occupier’s intent. The occupation aims to wipe Palestine off the map.”
“We Invite Everyone to Join the March”
The statement included a call for participation in the march on August 9:
“After October 7, Israel did not only target military sites but also bombed hospitals, schools, places of worship, ambulances, aid convoys, and children’s playgrounds. Women, children, the elderly, and civilian men became targets in a deadly game where someone decides who lives and who dies. Inspired by this just struggle, we invite our people to join this big march. To carry a light of hope to Gaza, to pierce the darkness of this oppression—not in silence, but with dignity and honor—we will gather at Beyazıt Square after evening prayer on Saturday, August 9. From there, we will march toward Hagia Sophia Mosque, carrying lanterns in our hands. Because this march is not just a symbolic act—it is a message of hope, dignity, and solidarity meant to reach Gaza.”
“Amplify the Echo of This March”
The statement also addressed members of the press:
“Your presence here today is more than just a professional duty, but also a moral and human responsibility. Dozens of journalists have been martyred in Gaza so far. Your colleagues who carried cameras, wrote stories, and tried to show the truth have been targeted. Therefore, we ask not only that you report on this event but that you also become the voice of this silent cry. During the march, please share images, sounds, and footage. Through your outlets, through national and international media, and through social media, help amplify the echo of this resistance and this march.”
The “Be a Light of Hope for Gaza” march will begin after the evening prayer on Saturday, August 9, at Beyazıt Square and will end in front of Hagia Sophia Mosque.
