Critics of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan labeled an anti-Israel protest in İstanbul on Monday a PR campaign and window-dressing over Ankara’s lack of concrete action against Israel amid its ongoing war in Gaza as well as its continued trade involving Erdoğan-linked businesses.
Israel began pounding Gaza after Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented attack in the country on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostage. Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks on Gaza have so far claimed the lives of more than 21,000 people, according to local authorities, in addition to leading to vast destruction in the enclave.
Tens of thousands marched in İstanbul Monday to protest Israel’s war in Gaza and the killing of Turkish soldiers by outlawed Kurdish militants in Iraq as part of a protest called by the pro-gov’t Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), which counts Bilal Erdoğan, the son of President Erdoğan, as among its members.
Organized by TÜGVA and the National Will Platform with participation from 308 NGOs, the march began after the morning prayer from major mosques in the city where participants gathered and later marched towards Galata Bridge, chanting slogans in support of Palestine and against Israel. Prominent figures such as Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, former parliament speaker Mustafa Şentop, former finance minister Berat Albayrak, who is also President Erdoğan’s son-in-law, and his wife Esra Albayrak, former defense minister and current Justice and Development Party (AKP) MP Hulusi Akar, former finance minister and current AKP MP Nureddin Nebati and former interior minister and current AKP MP Süleyman Soylu as well as Selçuk Bayraktar, Erdoğan’s other son-in-law, joined the march, indicating its significance.
The event featured calls for boycotting brands perceived as pro-Israel and protests against Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Notably, young participants donned keffiyehs resembling those of Abu Ubayda, the Palestinian militant who is the spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing. The march included chants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The march has been criticized for perceived hypocrisy regarding President Erdoğan’s policies towards Israel.
Although President Erdoğan uses strong rhetoric against Israel, accusing it of committing war crimes in Gaza, his government is criticized for not cutting off diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel.
An investigation by journalist Metin Cihan has recently revealed that business between Turkish companies and Israel continues as usual despite Ankara’s harsh rhetoric towards Israel.
Critics argue that the protest, which drew thousands to voice opposition against Israel’s actions in Gaza, serves as a façade for Turkey’s continued diplomatic and trade relations with Israel.
The Islamist opposition Felicity Party (SP) criticized the pro-Palestine march for the government’s unwillingness to take substantial action against Israel.
The SP’s İstanbul district chair, Ömer Faruk Yazıcı, urged concrete measures such as cutting trade ties and closing US bases in Turkey, emphasizing that holding marches alone is not enough.
Ümit Özdağ, leader of the far-right Victory Party (ZP), argued that the AKP’s organization of the march in İstanbul is not a genuine gesture of solidarity with Palestine or Hamas but rather a strategic move to obscure the government’s “ongoing support for Israel.”
Özdağ said the government’s actions, such as the continuation of intelligence sharing with Israel and the ongoing shipment of arms and ammunition, stand in stark contrast to their public rhetoric.
Political scientist Dr. Emrah Gülsunar criticized the rally and questioned its motives.
Considering the AKP’s 21 years in power and its ability to take concrete action against Israel, Gülsunar pointed out the irony of the government holding rallies against Israel while continuing to trade with Tel Aviv as if it were the opposition and trying to influence government action.
Gülsunar emphasized that holding the rally instead of a New Year’s celebration also served to assert dominance over secular groups.
Observers noted that Erdoğan’s son Bilal took a prominent place at the rally and delivered a fiery speech to the crowd. This led to speculation that the president’s son is preparing to succeed his father and take over the AKP after him.
