Istanbul: Members of Trkiye's sports community joined a large-scale rally on Thursday on Istanbul's Galata Bridge to express solidarity with Palestine, calling for an end to the ongoing violence in the occupied territories.

According to Anadolu Agency, the demonstration was organized by the Alliance of Humanity and the National Will Platform under the slogan: 'We won't cower, we won't keep quiet, we won't forget Palestine.' Led by the Trkiye Youth Foundation (TUGVA), the event drew widespread participation from athletes, sports officials, and club representatives.

Among those attending were Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak, Turkish Wrestling Federation President Taha Akgul, Turkish Karate Federation President Ercument Tasdemir, Besiktas President Serdal Adali, Fenerbahce board members Ertan Torunogullari, Adem Koz, Ilker Alkun, and Taner Sonmezer, Galatasaray Sportif AS Deputy Chairman Abdullah Kavukcu, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk, national wrestler Riza Kayaalp, as well as numerous executives and athletes from sports federations and clubs.

Speaking at the rally, Minister Bak highlighted Trkiye's consistent support for oppressed peoples, mentioning that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the situation in Gaza at the UN and other international platforms. He emphasized the importance of the sensitivity shown by the people toward Gaza and thanked the sports community for their participation.

Taha Akgul noted the rally's reflection of a shared sense of moral duty, emphasizing that the sports community is part of the nationwide support for Palestine. He stressed the importance of raising voices against injustice.

Turkish Karate Federation President Tasdemir spoke about the broader values represented by sports, stating that standing against injustice is a human responsibility. National wrestler Kayaalp shared his personal reflections on the suffering in Palestine, highlighting the need for increased support.

Galatasaray head coach Buruk reiterated the Turkish people's historical support for Palestine and expressed the significance of the unified presence of different sports teams at the rally. Representing Galatasaray, Kavukcu called for an end to the ongoing oppression.