Turkish activists pile pressure on Erdogan to do more against Israel

A group of Turkish activists has been staging a sit-in for over 75 days outside Istanbul’s Port of Haydarpasa to protest against the government’s decision to block an aid vessel from departing for Gaza.

Organised by the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, the demonstrations began after the Turkish port authorities barred the association from entering the harbour and accessing their aid boat, dubbed the Conscience.

“This decision is a disgrace in the country’s maritime history,” said the association’s chairman, Behesti Ismail Songur.

“Entry to the ship is being blocked arbitrarily, and even the crew is being prevented from boarding. No accusations, court decisions, or legal proceedings justify this. The fact that this obstruction comes from Turkey’s ministry of transport is a political disgrace.”

The association has filed multiple complaints and appeals against the government’s decision, but none have been addressed so far.

The ban, which the association deems unjustified and unlawful, has highlighted growing public pressure against the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take further action against Israel over its assault on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians since October 2023.

‘When we chained ourselves here, it was to emulate the suffering of the Palestinian people – chained by air, sea and land blockades’

– Behesti Ismail Songur, association chief

In addition to calls for humanitarian aid, activists are urging Erdogan to halt trade with Israel through third countries, which effectively use Turkish ports to ship goods to Israeli companies through loopholes.

The uninterrupted flow of oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline has also put Ankara in an awkward position.

Although the BTC pipeline carries Azerbaijani oil and is owned by BP, activists want Turkey, as the host country, to stop the operation. Such a move could result in billions of dollars in compensation claims for loss of business.

Erdogan, who more or less maintained a measured approach towards Israel during the first months of the war, officially imposed a trade embargo against Tel Aviv in May after his party suffered losses in a crucial local election, partly due to his lack of action against Israel.

Hypocrisy

Turkish officials, while claiming to be sympathetic to the cause, have not yet revealed why the Conscience remains impounded. However, observers in Ankara point to a similar incident in 2010, when an international flotilla led by the Mavi Marmara sailed to Gaza and resulted in an Israeli raid, resulting in the deaths of 10 Turkish citizens and heightening tensions between Turkey and Israel.

Earlier this year, Turkish authorities banned the association and its crew from accessing their vessel, leaving the ship and its mission in limbo. According to spokesperson Kubilay Karadeniz, no formal explanation was provided, despite the group’s insistence that all paperwork and permissions were in order.

In response, Songur and other volunteers chained themselves to the harbour gates in early September to draw attention to the situation.

“When we chained ourselves here, it was to emulate the suffering of the Palestinian people – chained by air, sea and land blockades, subjected to an unlawful embargo,” Songur explained.

Since then, the protest has grown into a full-fledged movement. Volunteers have set up tents at the harbour, turning the site into a hub of resistance and solidarity. The makeshift encampment includes kitchens and sleeping areas, where protesters maintain a constant presence. Police cars and port security keep watch, but the atmosphere remains peaceful.

On a recent Sunday evening, small groups of protesters huddled around fires, sipping freshly brewed tea and sharing food prepared on-site or brought by supporters. Despite the cold and uncertainty, the group’s spirit remains resilient.

Gulsah, a 28-year-old AI expert, has been involved since day one.

“I was sad and angry when I heard the news. How can they block access to a ship the association owns? This protest is my way of standing up for what’s right,” she said.

Similarly, Yagmur, a 22-year-old volunteer, expressed her frustration: “This is genocide. We have to keep fighting and protesting until the end. We are responsible for the journey, not the outcome. God willing, we will continue.”

‘If another government had made this decision, Muslims everywhere would have risen up. But now, people hesitate because they trust this government’

– Hasan Irkilmez, protester

The protesters’ demands are clear.

Banners reading “Close the harbours to genocide, not resistance” and “When the governments fail, we sail” adorn the area. Messages like “Free Gaza” are scrawled across the pavement.

The impounding of the Conscience is not the first controversial maritime decision in Turkey. In recent months, activists have raised concerns over commercial ships using Turkish waters to supply goods to Israel despite Turkey’s official stance against trade with the country.

Songur pointed to the case of the Kathrin, a ship allegedly transporting explosives and ammunition to Israel.

“Turkey claims to have stopped trading with Israel, yet indirect trade continues through third-party ports. This hypocrisy has eroded trust and raised serious questions. Israel faces no supply issues, and 90 percent of its supplies are still transported by sea,” he said.

“This is why the freedom vigil is also a stand against indirect and corrupt trade.”

‘We will make a difference’

The protest has drawn activists from 52 countries, many of whom are shocked by Turkey’s decision.

“We would expect such a move from Greece, not Turkey,” Songur said. “If this continues, the stain on Turkey’s reputation will grow.”

Despite the challenges, the volunteers remain determined.

“Criticism is worthless unless it turns into action,” says 65-year-old Hasan Irkilmez, a regular participant in the protest.

“If another government had made this decision, Muslims everywhere would have risen up. But now, people hesitate because they trust this government. We cannot be complicit in anyone’s sin.”

The protesters’ commitment echoes across the harbour. While some express frustration, most remain hopeful that their persistence will lead to change. “It’s hard to watch what’s happening in Gaza and continue with normal life,” admits Gulsah.

“But I come here and I believe we will make a difference.”