Turkish Islamist parties to hold joint rally in support of Palestinians

Duvar English

Three Turkish Islamist parties will hold a joint rally on Oct. 15 in support of Palestinians following the latest bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Accordingly, the government’s radical Islamist ally Free Cause Party (HÜDA-PAR), and opposition Islamist Felicity and Future parties will hold the rally in Istanbul, according to reporting from state-run Anadolu Agency.

The move came after HÜDA-PAR chair Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu on Oct. 10 visited the chairs of the other two parties, Temel Karamollaoğlu and Ahmet Davutoğlu, respectively.

The rally is planned to be held in Istanbul’s Yenikapı.

In the early 2000s, Hizbullah started to reorganize itself quietly under a number of foundations, associations and other entities in Turkey. Several members of the group established the HÜDA-PAR as a political party in December 2012 with the support of the current government, which green-lighted the party's entry into politics.

What happened?

Israel said the death toll from the surprise weekend Hamas attacks had surpassed 1,000. The victims were overwhelmingly civilians, gunned down in homes, on streets or at an outdoor dance party. Scores of Israelis and some foreigners were captured and taken to Gaza as hostages, some paraded through the streets.

Gaza's health ministry said Israel's retaliatory air strikes had killed at least 830 people and wounded 4,250 up to Oct. 10. 

The United Nations said more than 180,000 Gazans had been made homeless, many huddling on streets or in schools, Reuters reported.