Turkish police attack, detain pro-Palestinian protestors
Turkish police attacked and used tear gas against a demonstration in support of Palestine organized in Istanbul’s historic İstiklal Avenue. Many pro-Palestinian protestors were also detained in the capital Ankara.
Duvar English
Turkish police on Oct. 7 attacked protestors who organized demonstrations in support of Palestinian people with the call of 1,000 Youth for Palestine Initiative in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.
Pro-Palestinian protestors gathered at Tünel Square in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district on the first anniversary of the genocide in Gaza in which Israel killed at least 42,600 Palestinians, along with hundreds of Lebanese people in the recent weeks.
Protesters attempted to march to the Istanbul Provincial Trade Directorate to denounce the ongoing Israeli attacks on civilians in Palestine and Lebanon and to voice their opposition to Israel's collaborators in Turkey, particularly in trade.
However, the police intervened and prevented the march from proceeding. The protestors started a sit-in protest in front of the police shields before the police attacked the crowd with pepper gas and pushing them with shields.
After a young man was detained, the protestors said they would not leave the area until their friend was released.
Although the police officials stated that the youth was not detained, it was learned that he was detained and released later.
At least 20 detained in Ankara
In the capital Ankara, police also intervened in a protest organized by 1,000 Youth for Palestine and detained many protesters in handcuffs.
The group stated that at least 20 of their members were detained.