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Conservative civil society organizations and labor unions in Türkiye gathered for demonstrations outside U.S. diplomatic missions in Istanbul and Ankara on Wednesday to protest Washington’s support for Israel amid its ongoing war in Gaza. Protesters described Israel’s blockade and military operations as amounting to genocide, demanding greater international accountability.
Among the groups leading the protests were the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, Anadolu Youth Association (AGD), the Religious Affairs and Foundation Workers Union (Diyanet-Sen), the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform, and youth group Genc Memur-Sen.
While protests unfolded on land, the confrontation at sea intensified as Israeli military moved against the Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday evening. The flotilla, composed of multiple vessels carrying humanitarian aid and international activists, had sought to challenge the blockade by directly sailing to Gaza.
The Israeli navy warned the convoy over radio that its mission violated international law and that aid could only enter Gaza through Israeli-approved crossings. Organizers rejected this framing, insisting that their voyage was lawful and explicitly humanitarian in nature. They accused Israeli military of attempting to legitimize the blockade through intimidation and threats of legal action.
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Meanwhile, a Gaza solidarity vigil outside the US Embassy in Ankara has entered its 41st day, with organizers vowing to continue until a permanent cease-fire is achieved. Normally held daily between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., the protest was extended into the night following Israel’s intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The embassy has long been a gathering point for pro-Palestinian activism in Türkiye. Earlier this month, leftist groups also staged demonstrations at the same location, demanding an end to Israel’s blockade.
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