Turkey welcomes New Year with thousands of rallies for Palestine

Support for Palestinians brought together hundreds of thousands of people on New Year’s Day in Istanbul.

In the early hours of Thursday, people from all across the country converged in several locations in the city and began a march to Galata Bridge, final gathering point. The rally was organized by National Will Platform.

Before heading to the bridge, participants attended morning prayers at Istanbul’s mosques, including Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.

Despite freezing temperatures, turnout was high. Extensive security measures were implemented.

Along with civil society leaders, ministers and prominent figures, supporters of four major football clubs Beşiktaş, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor joined the demonstrators as the march began at 08:30 a.m. local time.