Youth on duty for Gaza

Photo Ed: Turks protest Israel

Those passing by or waiting for a bus in front of the tall towers of Istanbul’s Levent, will likely see a group of young people standing in front of the Israel Consulate General waving Palestinian flags in protest of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Â

Turkey Communist Party, or TKP’s young members are "on duty for humanity," day and night, despite the cold weather. Drivers honk their horns as they pass in a show of support of Palestine and some of them shout slogans from their cars.

"It is cold, but it is nothing compared to the Palestinians’ situation," said Ozan, a university student who declined to give his surname. He said sometimes people, working at Yapı Kredi Plaza next to the consulate, brought cookies and tea.

And inevitably wherever any large groups of people form, vendors will appear suddenly in the right place at the right time.

"I sell anything. I can even sell rocks, if a big protest starts," said Ali OÄŸuz. "I brought eggs last time and sold one for 1.5 (Turkish) lira." He said he was not an opportunist but was just trying to earn a living since he had been fired.

Some vendors said they were happy to contribute to the protests, "We sell Palestinian flags, neckwear and hats for a cheaper price than we sell Turkish flags," said Mehmet Altun. "A keffiyeh costs 3 lira and that is cheaper than the shop’s prices."

Protestors are not only addressing the Israeli government but also Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP. One of the TKP’s protestors who was "on duty" but declined to give his name said: "Those who remained silent when the United States invaded Iraq, attacked Afghanistan and when Israel attacked Lebanon, are shouting on the streets against the attacks in Gaza. But, they should have known those countries would not stop there."

Ersin Kazgan, one of the protestors who planned to wait until late at night, said he found Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s reaction and speeches dishonest. "Unless all the militaristic contracts between Turkey and Israel are canceled, all speeches of Erdoğan are meaningless," Kazgan said.

In the bus stop close to the Israeli Consulate, supporters of the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, or IHH, opened a stand where they also condemn the Israel attacks. Pictures of wounded and dead Palestinians have been hung along the path to the bus stop. Those who have gathered for the IHH and TKP, are protesting Israel’s actions, side by side.

"A woman wearing headscarf wanted to take our flag just a moment ago. When I told her that she could and reminded her that 'this is a TKP flag,' she surprised me and put the flag back into its place," said Yaprak Demir, a university student.

People, gathered around the IHH stand, were upset about the Palestinians from a Muslim brotherhood point of view, "Even the TKP is here, but we do not see the CHP (the main oppositio party," he said, declining to give his name as he was a public servant. Lists of Israel-based brands and products were also on display at the stand, calling on people to boycott those products.