02.01.2026 13:45
A large participation from the sports community was provided for the event organized by the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform. Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak stated that they came together to support the Palestinian people and emphasized the unifying power of sports.
The Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform organized a demonstration with the slogan "We will not be silent, we will not forget Palestine" to stop the massacre in Palestine, which saw significant participation from the sports community.
At the event organized at the Galata Bridge under the leadership of the Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, President of the Turkish Wrestling Federation Taha Akgül, President of the Turkish Karate Federation Ercüment Taşdemir, Beşiktaş Club President Serdal Adalı, Fenerbahçe Club board members Ertan Torunoğulları, Adem Köz, İlker Alkun, and Taner Sönmezer, Deputy Chairman of Galatasaray Sportif AŞ Abdullah Kavukcu, the head coach of the yellow-red football team Okan Buruk, national wrestler Rıza Kayaalp, and many officials and athletes from various federations and clubs attended.
Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak stated that the Turkish nation has always stood by the oppressed, saying, "Our President has described the genocide happening in Gaza at the United Nations podium and at international meetings he attended. The sensitivity our people show for Gaza is very important. Our people are coming here in droves."
Thanking the sports clubs for their sensitivity, Osman Aşkın Bak said, "The unifying power of sports is very important. It is also crucial for our youth to take ownership of this cause. Young people without a cause, engagement, or goals cannot continue the process. We need a strong Turkey. The reaction of our sports clubs is evident. Young people from all over Turkey have come. They wanted to show this reaction to the whole world. We are against the genocide in Gaza. We will not be silent and we will not let it be forgotten."
"AS MUSLIMS, WE HAVE A DEBT"
Taha Akgül stated that they are together in a very important action, saying, "All of Turkey is coming together for Palestine. The sports community is here as well. As the Turkish Wrestling Federation, we wanted to support this event. We must not forget the people of Palestine. This is not just a test for the world, but also a test for the hereafter. As Muslims, we have a debt. When we watch those images, our hearts break. There is also a flood disaster happening there right now. Even if we can do nothing, we must at least protest."
Turkish Karate Federation President Ercüment Taşdemir emphasized that sports are not just about competitions, stating, "Karate means discipline, respect, and justice. Standing against injustice and alongside the innocent is a human responsibility."
National wrestler Rıza Kayaalp expressed that his conscience has been aching due to what has been happening in Palestine for a long time, saying:
"While we sleep comfortably in our homes, seeing children left out in the cold there pains our conscience. The whole world has seen this. Everyone is trying to provide support, but more is needed. They need to be rescued. Even when we look after our own children, they come to our minds. We have come to support them so that they can see better days as soon as possible. This is what we can do right now. Hopefully, they will reach prosperity as soon as possible. After all, we are brothers in faith. This is not just about religion. Everyone in the world is trying to provide support."
"WE SHARE THEIR PAINS"
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk conveyed that the Turkish people have always stood by Palestine, stating, "We share their pains. We also wanted to show our support here on our behalf. The fans of Galatasaray and other teams are here. It is a very meaningful day. We wanted to show that we support them."
Abdullah Kavukcu explained that they participated in the demonstration representing Galatasaray, saying, "We are here to draw attention to this oppression under the leadership and guidance of our esteemed President. We are here to put an end to this oppression."