The "Be a Light of Hope for Gaza" march was a mass demonstration held in Istanbul on August 9, 2025, organized by the Support for Palestine Platform and attended by over 100,000 people. The event was organized to draw attention to Israel’s ongoing attacks and blockade on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
The march began at Beyazıt Square and proceeded to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, illuminated by lanterns and torches. It was completed with the participation of more than 15 civil society organizations as well as numerous political representatives, civil society leaders, and citizens.
Organization and Organizing Bodies
The event was organized by the Support for Palestine Platform, a coalition of 15 civil society organizations. Members of the platform include the Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH), the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge, Ensar Foundation, ÖNDER, the Foundation for Women and Democracy (KADEM), the Turkish Foundation for Youth and Education (TÜRGEV), the Movement for Humanity and Civilization, and the National Will Platform. Coordination of the organization was provided by Mehmet Güney, who served as the platform’s chairperson during the period.
Preparation Process
Two days before the march, a press conference was held at the headquarters of the Movement for Humanity and Civilization, during which the event’s purpose, route, and call for participation were shared with the public. At the conference, Mehmet Güney emphasized that the march was not merely a protest but also a humanitarian responsibility. In a press statement read by Salih İnce, it was stated that the blockade on Gaza had restricted access to food, medicine, water, and electricity; that attacks had been carried out on aid points; and that this situation constituted a war crime under international law.
Date, Time and Route
The march began after the evening prayer on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Beyazıt Square in Istanbul and concluded at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Participants walked carrying lanterns and torches.
During the march, participants chanted slogans such as “Murderous Israel, Leave Palestine” and “Gaza’s children are waiting for us.” Participants accompanied the procession by turning on the lights of their mobile phones and carrying lanterns. At the conclusion of the march, recitation of the Qur’an was performed, followed by a reading of the poem “I Saw Al-Aqsa in My Dream” by Palestinian student poet Mehmet Akif İnan. The program ended with a prayer by Ali Erbaş, President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs.
"Be a Light of Hope for Gaza" march in Istanbul, August 9, 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
Participation
It was announced that over 100,000 people participated in the event. Among the participants were Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, AK Party General Secretary Eyyüp Kadir İnan, Board Chairman of the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge Bilal Erdoğan, Board Chairman of Baykar and T3 Foundation Selçuk Bayraktar, General Secretary of Hak-İş Mahmut Arslan, President of the Istanbul 2nd Bar Association Yasin Şamlı, President of KADEM Canan Sarı, President of the Şule Yüksel Şenler Foundation Leyla Şahin Usta, and President of the Turkish Youth Civil Society Organizations Platform Ali Haydar Ustaosmanoğlu. In addition, numerous unions, student groups, and volunteer organizations took part in the march.
