Istanbul Governor prohibits main opposition’s pro-Palestine march

The Istanbul Governor denied the main opposition CHP’s application for organizing a pro-Palestine march in Galata Bridge. Pro-government groups used the same bridge for a similar protest nearly a month ago.

Saturday February 08 2025 12:05 am

The government previoulsy allows a pro-Palestinian protest organized by groups closer to it.

Duvar English

The Istanbul Governor’s Office in Feb.7 rejected the application of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to organize a march named “From river to the sea, Palestine will be free” at the megacity’s historic Galata Bridge.

The party’s Istanbul provincial organization applied to the governor’s office to notify they wanted to organize a protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statements on the future of Gaza and requested protection as well.

"The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too," he said on Feb. 4 during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The march was planned to be held on Feb. 9.

The governor’s office stated that the application was not taken into consideration because march’s route was not part of the “pre-determined areas for the demonstrations”

On Jan. 1, 2025, Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), which has been known for its close ties with the government, organized a pro-Palestine march at the same bridge for the second time.