Above photo: People gather for a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Stockholm the capital of Sweden on December 31, 2025. Atila Altuntaş – Anadolu Agency.
Hundreds in Sweden cancel New Year’s celebrations to rally in support of Palestine.
Hundreds of people in Sweden canceled New Year’s celebrations and rallied late Wednesday in the capital Stockholm in solidarity with the people of Gaza, Anadolu reports.
Despite freezing temperatures, protesters assembled at Segels Torg Square following a call by numerous civil society organizations, choosing to mourn children and civilians killed by Israel instead of celebrating the New Year.
Carrying banners reading “Children are being killed in Gaza,” “Schools and hospitals are being bombed,” “Comply with an immediate ceasefire,” and “End food shortages,” the crowd demanded an end to what they described as Israel’s genocide in Gaza and called on Sweden to halt arms sales to Israel.
In a statement made on behalf of the organizers, the protesters said: “In the new year, we reject the mass deaths, sieges in Palestine, and the silence toward these events. We refuse to begin a new year by turning a blind eye to injustice.”
The statement also emphasized that Israel was not adhering to peace commitments with Palestine.
“As the world enters the new year, genocide continues in Palestine. Despite the ceasefire, Palestinians are being killed, the siege continues, and people are freezing to death while left without shelter in tents,” it said.
Waving Palestinian flags and carrying torches, demonstrators later marched toward the Swedish Parliament.
Palestinians have accused Israel of repeatedly violating a ceasefire agreement, which halted a two-year Israeli war that has killed more than 71,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,000 others since October 2023.
Since the Oct. 10 ceasefire deal that halted the two-year Israeli war, at least 414 people have been killed and over 1,100 others injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Pro-Palestine march draws over half a milllion people to Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day
Over half a million people gathered early Thursday at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge for a massive march in support of Palestine, organized under the umbrella of the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform, Anadolu reports.
The New Year’s Day demonstration, held with the… pic.twitter.com/W1lzBHpnYS
— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) January 1, 2026
Over half a million people gathered early Thursday at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge for a massive march in support of Palestine, organized under the umbrella of the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform, Anadolu reports.
The New Year’s Day demonstration, held with the participation of more than 400 civil society organizations and led by the Turkish Youth Foundation (TUGVA), was carried out under the slogan “We won’t cower, we won’t keep quiet, we won’t forget Palestine.”
At the event, around 520,000 participants called for an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Ahead of the event, members of the public convened before dawn prayers at major mosques across Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque), Fatih, Suleymaniye, and Eminonu New Mosque. Many carried Turkish and Palestinian flags as they gathered in mosque courtyards to show solidarity with Palestine.
Despite freezing temperatures, turnout was high. Extensive security measures were taken, particularly around Sultanahmet Square, where participants were also offered hot beverages.
Following morning prayers, demonstrators walked on foot toward Galata Bridge, joined by Turkish Cabinet ministers, senior officials, and other top figures. The program officially began at 8.30 am local time (0530 GMT).
As roads leading to the bridge were closed to traffic, participants reached the area on foot from designated points or by boat.
Those arriving by boat joined the demonstration by lighting flares and waving Turkish and Palestinian flags as they approached Galata Bridge.
A large banner depicting “Hanzala,” the iconic figure closely associated with the Palestinian cause created by late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali, was hung on a building behind the main press platform.
The event also featured performances by internationally known artists and musicians, including Lebanese-Swedish singer Maher Zain, Turkish vocalist/musician Esat Kabakli, and the band Grup Yuruyus.
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also shared a message to the event on Turkish social media platform NSosyal, saying: “The Humanity Alliance extends hundreds of thousands of greetings from Istanbul to the Palestinian people, to Gaza, and to all the oppressed across the world. We sincerely thank all individuals and institutions who contributed to this effort.”
