Pro-Palestinian rallies mark Oct. 7 anniversary across Turkey

On October 7, 2026, pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place in at least nine Turkish provinces to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led attack and the ensuing war in Gaza. In Ankara, the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform (ANFİDAP) organized a march from Kocatepe Mosque to Melike Hatun Mosque, where speakers cited official figures of nearly 80,000 civilians killed and accused Israel of systematic genocide since 1917. A commemoration at Karşıyaka Cemetery honored Gazans who died in Turkey after being evacuated for medical treatment, including 55 buried there.

In Erzurum, the "Silent March Team" held its 151st weekly walk from Lalapaşa Mosque to Yakutiye Madrasa. Student Hakan Sümbül contrasted daily life in Turkey with conditions in Gaza, where journalists have been targeted and aid blocked. In Malatya, a vehicle convoy organized by the Jerusalem Fraternity Platform traveled along the South Beltway; speaker Ömer Derin declared Gaza "unbroken" and a lesson in justice for humanity.

“Gaza is unbroken. Rather, with its patience, faith, and unique resistance, Gaza is teaching the whole world a lesson in justice today.”

In Batman, hundreds marched on Turgut Özal Avenue under the slogan "Jerusalem is ours," lighting phone flashlights in solidarity. Academic Huzeyfe El Hatip predicted Gaza's imminent victory, while Kenan Çaplık of civil society groups said the October 7 operation had cracked the "global arrogance" of Israel and its Western backers. In Muş, thousands walked from Kent Square to Imam Shafi Mosque after evening prayers, joined by Palestinian scholar Nevaf Tekruri. Erzincan saw a vehicle convoy after a press statement by Rıza Tuğrul Karagöz, who accused the international community of silence.

In Kütahya, the Civil Society Organizations Platform (KÜSİDAP) issued a press statement marking three years of what they termed genocide. In Manisa, a panel titled "One Conscience" at Celal Bayar University discussed the humanitarian crisis; activist Ayçin Kantoğlu argued the term "genocide" is insufficient, suggesting "soul-breaking" instead. Mardin hosted a march from the Governor's Park to Şakir Nuhoğlu Mosque, where Diyarbakır Eğitim Bir-Sen Chair Ramazan Tekdemir criticized Muslim states for failing to support Gaza and claimed Israeli-controlled territory had expanded from 45% to 87% since the ceasefire talks began.