HAK-İŞ Led "March to Freedom" in Istanbul: Mahmut Arslan Calls for "International Criminal Court" Against the USA and Israel!

ISTANBUL - The Confederation of Trade Unions of Turkey (HAK-İŞ) supported the "March to Freedom" themed program organized by the Support for Palestine Platform in Istanbul on 5 October 2025 with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people. In the giant program that started with the noon prayer at Hagia Sophia Mosque and ended at Eminönü Square, HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan gave the message that the struggle will continue until the oppression of Israel stops.

The Palestinian Cry of Hundreds of Thousands from Hagia Sophia to Eminönü

In addition to President Mahmut Arslan, HAK-İŞ Vice President Halil Çukutli, Chief Advisor to the President İsrafil Kışla, Chairman of the Support for Palestine Platform Mehmet Güney and IHH President Bülent Yıldırım participated in the "March for Freedom" program. Hundreds of thousands of citizens, whose hearts beat for Palestine, met at Hagia Sophia and marched to Eminönü Square with slogans against "Murderer Israel and its supporters".

Speaking at the program that started with the recitation of the Holy Quran in Aminonu Square, President Mahmut Arslan addressed the crowd in the square and said, "Dear Istanbulites who add meaning to this square with their presence... Greetings to the peoples of the world who filled the squares in all the squares of the world despite the states that are hostages of the murderer Trump and the murderer Netenyahu!" he said.

Arslan: "The Palestinian Cause is Now a Cause of Humanity"

Arslan focused his speech on the universality of the Palestinian cause:

• Coalition of Humanity: He emphasized that regardless of skin color, language and geography, humanity has come together and formed a "Coalition of Humanity". "Today, the coalition of humanity turned its direction to Gaza, to Palestine. Peace be upon them!" he said.

• Greetings to the Resistance: He sent greetings to the people of Palestine and Gaza who have been persecuted for 729 days and have never given up their resistance. "Greetings to Gaza, greetings to Hamas, the resistance that continues the resistance," he said.

• Humanity Issue: Stating that the Palestinian cause is no longer the cause of the Palestinians but has become a "humanity issue", he stated that solidarity with the oppressed people crying out for Palestine from every corner of the world will be strengthened.

Praise for the Fleet and Demand for International Trials

In his speech, Arslan devoted a special place to the humanitarian efforts to break the blockade of Gaza and praised Sumud and the Freedom Flotillas:

• Sumoud Flotilla Heroes: "Greetings to all the activists in the Sumoud Flotilla. They broke the blockade. They became the fear of Israeli murderers."

• Inspiration of Mavi Marmara: Commemorating the martyrs of Mavi Marmara with mercy, Arslan described the entry of the Sumud Flotilla into the territorial waters of Gaza as the blessing of Mavi Marmara and gave the message "We will not forget Mavi Marmara."

• Freedom Flotilla Support: Stating that the Freedom Flotilla is next, he said that our hearts and prayers are with this flotilla and that the Freedom Flotilla reaching Gaza will be hell for Israel.

Mahmut Arslan also called the international community to duty and said, "We want the murderer Netenyahu and his collaborators to be tried in the international criminal court, convicted and sent to prison. We want the international community to hold them to account." he said.

The Ultimate Goal: A Free Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its Capital

Arslan also commented on the peace plan issued by the US President, saying that A plan without Palestinians and Hamas would be null and void and that Turkey would never accept a plan that would open space for Zionists.

General President Mahmut Arslan crowned his speech with the following clear statement on the stance against the century-old oppression: "Our struggle will continue until the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."

The program ended with a prayer by Ahmet Türkben, a member of the Board of Directors of the Maarif Foundation, for those who lost their lives in the Palestinian cause.