Immediately after the Israeli assault on Masjid al-Aqsa, IHH Chairman Bülent Yıldırım appealed to the Turkish people. Soon, thousands of people gathered in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul to protest against the Israeli terror attacks. A group carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags continuously chanted slogans against Israel.
“The best humanitarian support is preventing oppression”
Yıldırım thanked those who supported the Palestinian people and condemned Israel. Highlighting that Al-Quds is the red line of Muslims, Yıldırım said, “The best humanitarian support is preventing oppression.” Adding that the resistance of the youth at Masjid al-Aqsa will save everyone, Yıldırım continued his speech saying:
“With the events tonight, the resistance force of the Palestinians emerged. When the Palestinians saw the support from the Turkish people they said “we are not alone.” I am addressing Israel. Do not dishonor the Muslims that are protected by the Palestinians. One day you will see us caressing the heads of the orphans, embracing our Muslim brothers and sisters in Al-Quds. I know these Israelis very well, as soon as the crowds here increase, the Israeli soldiers will withdraw. So leave your home and come here in support, increase the crowd here. Be a chain around the feet of the Israeli soldiers, every step we take will be a chain, a shackle on the feet of Israel. Do not hesitate. I witnessed this both in Gaza and on the Mavi Marmara.
If Israel continues its insurgency against the resistance, will we abandon this platform? Are we going to continue these protests, will we call everyone here, will we call our children, will we continue to gather in front of the Israeli Consulate and Embassy in Istanbul, will we hold our sahur and iftar meals here? How will we prove this to Israel? Israel must know that with our presence, if these attacks continue, we will do what we did on the Mavi Marmara. We will never withdraw our support for Palestine. We will increase our numbers every day, we will hold demonstrations all over Turkey, I am appealing to all our brothers and sisters, starting from today, you must organize convoys everywhere in Turkey, you will take the Palestinian flag and travel all over Turkey in convoys.
The Palestinians are extremely sensitive, so never tamper with this. Never insult the honor, dignity and children of the Palestinian people. Do not touch the honor of Masjid al-Aqsa. We are warning you, do not send those fake, fanatic, oppressive, and scared fundamentalists to Masjid al-Aqsa like cattle following the herd; do not tarnish Masjid al-Aqsa on Monday. We know you are conducting exercises for this at present. We know that you are preparing for Monday. And we also know that for as long as you continue these attacks, we will bring every anti-Zionist in this country out onto the streets.”
“Greetings to Al-Quds”
Following the speech, the protesters began to chant “The Palestinians are not alone”, “Down with Israel”, “We are a community, we are brothers, we will win”, “A thousand greetings from Istanbul to Al-Quds.” The program ended with the morning prayer.
