Politics
Remember Gaza: Turkish NGOs, football clubs set for New Year rally
Heads of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and major football clubs came together on Monday in Istanbul to announce a New Year’s Day rally for Gaza. It will be the third of its kind since 2023 and is expected to draw tens of thousands of people in solidarity with Palestinians.
The first such rally was held on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on Jan. 1, 2024, a few months after a new round of the Palestine-Israel conflict began. The venue will be the same for the 2026 rally.
Bilal Erdoğan who serves as a member of the High Consultation Board of Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), told a news conference that the matter of Gaza was “above politics.” TÜGVA is a major component of the platform that brings together dozens of NGOs.
Türkiye is the fiercest critic of Israel’s genocide in the Palestinian territories and cut off ties with Tel Aviv after the conflict began. Since 2023, people of diverse political affiliations have staged rallies across the country to protest Israel.
“This is about humanity’s conscience,” Erdoğan said, noting that they needed a humanitarian alliance on the matter more than ever. Erdoğan called people to meet on the Galata Bridge on Jan. 1 to raise the voice of Palestinians as he pointed out the urgency of action by the international community for a fast implementation of the two-state solution. Türkiye advocates the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital to address the issue permanently. Israel and Hamas recently agreed upon a cease-fire deal thanks to efforts by the U.S. and regional countries, as well as Türkiye. Nevertheless, Hamas says Israel continues violations of the cease-fire. The Israeli army has committed hundreds of violations in the Gaza Strip since the cease-fire took effect on Oct. 10, resulting in the death of more than 400 Palestinians. Overall, nearly 71,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed while over 171,000 others were injured in Israel’s genocidal attacks targeting Gaza since October 2023.
TÜGVA Chair Ibrahim Beşinci echoed Erdoğan’s call and criticized the West for inaction on the matter. “They handed over thousands of Bosnian civilians to Serbs during the Bosnian War. We have seen the same thing happening elsewhere,” he said. “We cannot talk about a functioning global system or justice if a 8-month-old infant dies of a cold in a tent in the 21st century,” he said. Although a cease-fire is in place, the living conditions of Gazans who suffer from starvation and lack of proper accommodations among the ruins of the enclave have not changed much. With winter setting in, NGOs warn that more challenges are expected for Palestinians without humanitarian Access to the enclave. The last dire example of desperation in Gaza was the death of a 29-day-old infant last week, linked to a severe drop in body temperature. Overall, at least 13 people died of severe cold in the past few weeks.
The rally will be held under the motto: “We are not giving up, we are not going silent, we will not forget Palestine.”
“We still don’t know the exact number of losses; it may be above 70,000. At least 20,000 children were massacred in this genocide,” Erdoğan said. “Yes, it is a genocide as certified by international organizations, independent courts. Even Israel’s own NGOs testify that it is a genocide,” he said.
“We have to remain allied for humanity so that Israel’s Nazi approach will not be revived. Currently, there is a cease-fire, but it is not genuine. Gaza never saw a genuine cease-fire and attacks on civilians in the West Bank increased more than ever,” Erdoğan stated. “This is a fact confirmed by international bodies. We believe that preventing a repeat of Nazi acts of Israel and ensuring a genuine peace can be achieved if Israel is held accountable for its crimes and sentenced to pay compensation to victims,” he said. “We also believe that Israel should undertake the rebuilding of Gaza, as it is the sole culprit in the genocide. This is crucial, as much as ensuring a two-state solution,” he said.
Erdoğan said the Turkish President exerted sincere efforts and demonstrated strong leadership to end the genocide in Gaza and for the restoration of peace. “We only wish all Muslim countries rallied around him,” he added.
For his part, Beşinci said the peace is a matter that should not be left at the mercy of “puppet leaders of the West.” “Join us at 8:30 a.m. on the Galata Bridge on Jan. 1, to show that you did not forget what happened in Gaza. We invite everyone, mothers, fathers, the youth, to join us to break the wall of silence (over Gaza),” Beşinci stated.
Leaving mark
“We greet brave people of Palestine fighting for their freedom. Today, we gathered here as the National Will Platform of about 4,000 NGOs, as a humanitarian alliance. We will be in Galata for the third time, to leave a mark in history, to reject silence against ongoing systemic opression in Palestine, double standards and late condemnations,” he said, in reference to West’s support for Israel,” he said. “What happened in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, is a project of systematic elimination of a people before the very eyes of the world. Since that day, 210,000 tons of bombs have been dropped on Gaza. More than 70,000 people were martyred. A total of 2,600 families were wiped out. 5,000 families now only have one surviving member. Nearly 45,000 Palestinians lost their limbs. More than 20,000 Palestinians were detained and 12,000 Palestinians were subject to arbitrary detentions. 92% of residential buildings in Gaza were destroyed. 95% of schools were bombed. 87% of the entire city was damaged,” he underlined.
Beşinci named the ongoing cease-fire as “so-called,” pointing to ongoing deaths in Gaza. “In the cease-fire process alone, nearly 500 civilians were killed and 1,092 patients in need of medical evacuation died,” he said. “(Israel) bombed residential areas 413 times and allowed only 14,000 aid trucks out of about 42,000 trucks awaiting entry to Gaza,” he said. Beşinci noted that access to basic human rights was nonexistent and highlighted that the first phase of the 20-article Gaza Peace Plan was still not implemented. “The murderer Israel did not stop killings, devastation and blockage. Genocidal murderers Netanyahu and fellow war criminal are still not tried before an independent, fair court,” he stated.
Beşinci said theirs would not simply be “an event,” and Galata Bridge was “a line of conscience.” “We call you to become aware (of what is happening in Gaza). Standing on that line of conscience means remaining a human being. We won’t be there simply to build a crowd, we will be there to shout to the world that we are here (for humanity).”
He called on the public to get rid of the silence and shout their conscience. “We urge all organizations not to be satisfied with statements of condemnation; we call on them to take to the streets. We call on the media, influencers and artists to be the voice for truth, for the oppressed. We will be there free of our separate identities, we will be there to make the issue of Palestine the first message of the New Year, we will be there to show the world that we have not forgotten Palestine,” he said.
Participants of the rally will start a march at the Sultanahmet Square, home to iconic landmarks like Ayasofya Grand Mosque and Blue Mosque, after performing dawn prayers, to the Galata Bridge. Larger crowds are expected to join the march from Fatih and Taksim mosques.
Beşinci and Erdoğan were joined by representatives of Galatasaray, Trabzonspor, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, four stalwarts of Türkiye’s top-tier Süper Lig. Speaking at the news conference, the Galatasaray Chair Dursun Özbek said the rally would be a great support to raise the voice of oppressed Palestinians to the world. Özbek noted that their club exhibited support since “day one” to Palestinians under the Israeli blockade. “Galatasaray cannot remain silent in the humanitarian drama,” he said. Galatasaray has utilized its international matches to demonstrate banners and slogans in support of Palestine for the past two years. “We support President Erdoğan’s efforts for Palestine and we count it a mission to raise awareness about the oppression of Palestinians,” Özbek said. Özbek called upon supporters of Galatasaray, which has the largest fan community in Turkish football, to join them.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls Tuesday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, diplomatic sources said.
Fidan and his Qatari counterpart discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the sources.
In a separate call with al-Shaibani, Fidan discussed the latest developments in the region.
The calls came amid heightened attention on regional developments and the situation surrounding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Fidan met with his Qatari counterpart, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on July 19, a few days after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the country to extend condolences for the late emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Türkiye and Qatar have steadily deepened their strategic partnership since establishing it in 2014 through high-level exchanges and bilateral agreements spanning a wide range of fields.
On the other hand, Fidan hosted his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, in Ankara on July 6 as the two neighboring countries continue to deepen relations following the collapse of the Baathist regime in 2024.
Regarding the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, Syria’s top diplomat stressed that the fighting in the region should come to an end as soon as possible. He noted that the regional tensions were also affecting Syria and said Damascus condemned Iran’s attacks against the Gulf countries.
Civil society groups supporting Palestinians will hold simultaneous events in more than 17 countries on Wednesday to call for greater humanitarian access to Gaza as the world marks World Humanitarian Day.
The global initiative, called the “Voice of Humanity,” will take place across five continents on Aug. 19, according to Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, head of the Palestine Support Platform, one of the organizations participating in the campaign.
Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Kabaktepe called on the public to support the initiative, saying access to food, medicine, shelter and healthcare should be regarded as a fundamental right rather than a concession.
“We are talking about a right, not a favor,” Kabaktepe noted, arguing that restrictions on humanitarian assistance have left civilians in Gaza struggling to obtain essential supplies.
Kabaktepe said tens of thousands of civilians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and that children, women, patients and other vulnerable people continue to face difficulties accessing food and medical supplies.
He also accused Israel of failing to comply with provisions on humanitarian assistance under a cease-fire agreement, saying the arrangement envisaged the entry of at least 600 aid trucks into Gaza each day.
Kabaktepe called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and urged international organizations and institutions to work to ensure the delivery of aid into the Palestinian enclave.
As part of Wednesday’s campaign, supporters in Istanbul are expected to gather at Üsküdar Square at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Organizers will call for humanitarian assistance to be kept separate from political negotiations and for restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza to be lifted.
“Humanitarian aid cannot be a matter of negotiation,” Kabaktepe underlined.
He urged international organizations and governments to increase efforts to secure humanitarian access to Gaza.
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on Aug. 19 to recognize humanitarian workers and people affected by crises around the world.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and preserve the cease-fire in a phone call Monday, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
The two ministers reviewed the latest developments in ongoing negotiations concerning the reopening of the strategic waterway and the continuation of the cease-fire, according to the sources.
The two top diplomats spoke amid ongoing tensions in the region, with suspected Iranian drones targeting Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s office in Irbil on Monday.
Meanwhile, Fidan also held separate phone calls with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday, Foreign Ministry sources said. The talks focused on the latest developments in the region, the sources added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a phone call Monday, as the two leaders pledged to deepen the strategic partnership between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, particularly in defense, security, trade and investment.
Erdoğan and Burnham discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to a statement on the call.
Erdoğan congratulated Burnham on assuming his new post and expressed confidence that relations between Ankara and London would reach new heights in the coming period.
The president highlighted the significant progress Türkiye and the U.K. have made in cooperation across a broad range of areas, particularly in the defense industry.
He also underscored the importance of the Strategic Partnership Framework Document and the Security and Defense Partnership Document signed by the two countries, describing them as key instruments for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Erdoğan said Ankara and London would continue working together to increase bilateral trade volume and achieve their shared objectives in investment, while building on the growing strategic partnership between the two NATO allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed Türkiye-U.S. ties and pressing regional and global developments in a phone call, with the Turkish leader stressing the need to maximize diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Erdoğan told Trump that Türkiye hoped negotiations between Iran and the United States would continue, emphasizing that Ankara would maintain its support for efforts aimed at securing peace, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Directorate.
The president also highlighted the joint defense agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, saying the pact demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring regional stability and security.
Turning to Gaza, Erdoğan warned that Israeli actions targeting Palestinians had intensified at a time when efforts were focused on advancing to the second phase of the Gaza peace process.
He reiterated that Türkiye would continue supporting steps toward lasting peace in the region as well as efforts to rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
Since the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, constitutional design has served as the backbone of the country’s legal system. The current Constitution, adopted in 1982, has been repeatedly amended over the decades – most notably in 2017, when a national referendum paved the way for the country’s transition from a parliamentary model to an executive presidential system.
Navigating the 175-article charter can be complex for international observers. Here is a clear guide to the foundational provisions, historical turning points and ongoing reform efforts shaping Türkiye’s legal framework today.
The Irrevocable Principles (Articles 1–4)
The opening section of the Constitution defines the permanent identity of the state. Under Article 4, the first three articles cannot be amended, nor can an amendment to them be proposed.
Article 1: Defines Türkiye as a republic.
Article 2: Establishes the country as a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law, respecting human rights and loyal to Atatürk nationalism.
Article 3: Affirms the indivisible integrity of the state with its territory and nation. It designates Turkish as the official language, Ankara as the capital, and establishes the national flag and anthem.
Article 4: Protects the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 from amendment and prohibits proposals to amend them.
State Sovereignty and Separation of Powers (Articles 6–9)
The Constitution establishes how state authority is exercised and divided among the branches of government.
Article 6: Declares that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation and may be exercised only through the authorized organs established by the Constitution.
Article 7: Vests legislative power in the Turkish Parliament (TBMM), which exercises this authority on behalf of the nation.
Article 8: Assigns executive power and responsibility to the president, who exercises it in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Article 9: States that judicial power is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Supremacy of the Constitution (Article 11)
Article 11 establishes the Constitution as the highest binding legal authority in Türkiye.
Article 11: States that the provisions of the Constitution are fundamental legal rules binding upon the legislative, executive and judicial organs, administrative authorities, and other institutions and individuals. Laws cannot be contrary to the Constitution.
Fundamental Rights and Protections (Articles 10, 12 & 13)
The Constitution establishes the principle of equality before the law and defines both the nature of fundamental rights and the conditions under which they may be restricted.
Article 10: Guarantees equality before the law without discrimination, including on grounds of language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion or sect. It also requires the state to ensure that equality between men and women exists in practice.
Articles 12 & 13: Establish that everyone possesses inherent, inviolable and inalienable fundamental rights and freedoms, while recognizing that these rights also carry duties and responsibilities toward society, family and others. Article 13 provides that fundamental rights and freedoms may be restricted only by law, without infringing upon their essence and only on grounds specified in the relevant constitutional provisions. Any restriction must comply with the Constitution, the requirements of a democratic society and the secular republic, as well as the principle of proportionality.
Citizenship and International Law (Articles 66 & 90)
Two provisions frequently cited in legal and political debates concern citizenship and Türkiye’s international obligations.
Article 66: Defines Turkish citizenship, stating that everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of citizenship is a Turk.
Article 90: Provides that international agreements duly put into effect have the force of law. In cases of conflict between domestic legislation and international agreements concerning fundamental rights and freedoms, the provisions of the international agreement prevail.
The Executive Branch (Articles 101, 104 & 116)
Following the 2017 constitutional amendments, executive authority was vested in the presidency and the office of prime minister was abolished.
Article 101: Specifies that the president is directly elected for a five-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms. Presidential candidates may be nominated by political party groups, political parties that individually or jointly received at least 5% of valid votes in the previous parliamentary election, or at least 100,000 eligible voters.
Article 104: Outlines presidential duties and powers. As head of state, the president exercises executive authority, appoints vice presidents and ministers, may issue presidential decrees within constitutional limits, ratifies and promulgates international treaties, determines national security policies and takes necessary measures to safeguard national security. The president also ensures the implementation of the Constitution and the regular and harmonious functioning of state organs.
Article 116: Addresses the renewal of presidential and parliamentary elections. Parliament may decide to renew elections with a three-fifths majority of its total membership, while the president may also decide to renew elections. In either case, presidential and parliamentary elections are held together. If Parliament decides to renew elections during a president’s second term, the incumbent may run for president once more.
Parliament and Legislation (Articles 75, 77, 87 & 98)
Legislative authority rests with the unicameral Turkish Parliament.
Article 75: Sets parliamentary composition at 600 members.
Article 77: Provides that parliamentary and presidential elections are held every five years on the same day.
Article 87: Entrusts Parliament with enacting, amending and repealing laws, debating and adopting budget and final account bills, approving the ratification of international treaties, and deciding on declarations of war in cases permitted under international law, among other constitutional powers.
Article 98: Details parliamentary oversight mechanisms, including parliamentary inquiries, general debates, parliamentary investigations and written questions. Written questions may be submitted by lawmakers to vice presidents and ministers.
The Judiciary (Articles 138, 146 & 148)
Judicial authority is exercised by independent and impartial courts on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Article 138: Establishes judicial independence. Judges rule according to the Constitution, laws and their conscientious convictions, and no state organ, authority or individual may issue orders, instructions, recommendations or suggestions to courts or judges concerning the exercise of judicial power.
Articles 146 & 148: Govern the Constitutional Court. The court consists of 15 members, with three elected by Parliament and 12 selected by the president through procedures established by the Constitution. The court reviews the constitutionality of laws and presidential decrees and performs other duties assigned by the Constitution. Individuals may also apply directly to the court over alleged violations by public authorities of fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution and falling within the scope of the European Convention on Human Rights after ordinary legal remedies have been exhausted.
Military interventions and constitutional interruptions
Türkiye’s constitutional history has been directly altered by political crises and military interventions, resulting in new charters or significant changes to the country’s constitutional order.
The 1960 Coup and the 1961 Charter
On May 27, 1960, the military overthrew the elected Democrat Party government led by Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, suspended the 1924 Constitution and dissolved Parliament. A military administration ruled until a Constituent Assembly drafted the 1961 Constitution. Approved by referendum, the new charter introduced a bicameral Parliament and established the Constitutional Court. Menderes, who served as prime minister from 1950 until the coup, was executed in September 1961 following a trial by a military-appointed court.
The 1971 Memorandum
On March 12, 1971, military commanders issued a memorandum that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel. While the 1961 Constitution remained in force, subsequent constitutional amendments curtailed some civil liberties and strengthened state authority during a period marked by political violence and martial law.
The 1980 Coup and the 1982 Charter
The most extensive constitutional disruption occurred on Sept. 12, 1980, when the military seized power, dissolved Parliament and suspended the existing constitutional order. Political parties were subsequently banned, and an appointed Consultative Assembly took part in drafting a new constitution.
The 1982 Constitution was approved in a national referendum and remains Türkiye’s current charter, although it has undergone numerous amendments under civilian governments over the following decades.
2017 Constitutional Reform
A major overhaul of Türkiye’s system of government came with the 2017 constitutional referendum, which approved the transition from the parliamentary system to the presidential system.
The amendments abolished the office of prime minister, vested executive authority in the president, revised parliamentary oversight mechanisms and reshaped the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The new system took full effect following the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018.
Central and Local Administration (Article 127)
Türkiye’s administrative system distinguishes between the central government’s provincial organization and elected local administrations.
Governors (vali) at the provincial level and district governors (kaymakam) represent the central administration in the provinces and districts, respectively.
Article 127, meanwhile, governs local administrations, defining them as public entities established to meet the common local needs of residents in provinces, municipalities and villages, with decision-making bodies elected by voters.
Mayors and municipal councils are elected by voters, while Türkiye’s metropolitan municipality system divides certain responsibilities between metropolitan municipalities and district municipalities.
Article 127 also grants the central administration powers of administrative tutelage (idari vesayet) over local governments within the principles and procedures prescribed by law. This oversight is intended to ensure that local services are carried out in accordance with the principle of administrative integrity, secure uniform public service, safeguard the public interest and meet local needs appropriately.
Push for New Civilian Constitution
Despite numerous amendments over the decades, replacing the 1982 Constitution with a new civilian-drafted charter remains a prominent issue in Türkiye’s political debate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş have repeatedly advocated for a new civilian constitution, arguing that the existing charter retains the legacy of the military rule under which it was drafted despite extensive subsequent amendments.
Kurtulmuş said in August 2026 that Türkiye’s political climate and level of dialogue had matured sufficiently for work toward a new civilian constitution, describing such a charter as a longstanding objective.
Any constitutional amendment must follow the procedure established by Article 175. A proposal must first be submitted in writing by at least one-third of Parliament’s total membership, or 200 lawmakers, and must be debated twice in the General Assembly.
Approval requires at least a three-fifths majority, or 360 of Parliament’s 600 members, in a secret ballot.
A constitutional amendment adopted with between 360 and 399 votes must be submitted to a referendum if the president does not return it to Parliament for reconsideration.
An amendment receiving at least a two-thirds majority, or 400 votes, may take effect without a referendum after the constitutional process is completed, although the president retains the authority to submit such an amendment to a referendum.
With constitutional change requiring broad parliamentary support, efforts to draft an entirely new charter depend heavily on negotiations and political consensus across party lines.
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