Pro-Palestinian Rally Near US Air Base in Turkey Met with Tear Gas

Pro-Palestinian Rally Near US Air Base in Turkey Met with Tear Gas Ahead of Blinken Visit

Incirlik Air Base, Southeastern Turkey – In the hours leading up to the arrival of the United States’ top diplomat, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Turkish police fired tear gas to disperse a pro-Palestinian rally outside Incirlik Air Base. The protest was organized by the IHH humanitarian relief fund, known for its 2010 flotilla to Gaza, which led to Israeli raids and the tragic deaths of 10 civilians.

The demonstration outside the Mediterranean coastal base, primarily utilized by the US Air Force and occasionally the British Royal Air Force, initially consisted of a peaceful rally in Incirlik. However, tensions escalated as the crowd began to march towards the base, prompting police intervention. Several hundred protesters waving Palestinian flags were seen fleeing across a field as police used tear gas and water cannons.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or arrests, and US officials refrained from commenting on the incident.

The timing of the IHH protest coincided with Blinken’s visit to Ankara. While in Turkey, Blinken was scheduled to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, aiming to address various regional issues.

Additionally, nearly 1,000 people gathered outside the US embassy in Ankara on the same day in another pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Meanwhile, thousands of individuals assembled in the southern French city of Marseille to show support for Palestinians and call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Organized by a coalition of associations, political parties, and trade unions, the rally attracted around 2,700 participants, as reported by French police. Organizers emphasized that the crowd was even larger and featured a sea of Palestinian flags.

In recent weeks, Turkey, a NATO member, has witnessed multiple protests due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas, which began in the Gaza Strip last month. The war ensued after a devastating attack by Hamas, according to Israeli authorities, resulting in more than 1,400 casualties, primarily civilians, and the abduction of over 240 individuals.

The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has led to over 9,770 casualties, predominantly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Initially, Turkey defended Israel’s right to respond to Hamas. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan adopted a stronger stance as the conflict persisted, condemning the US for its support of the Israeli operation, which he likened to “genocide.”

In response, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel for consultations, breaking off contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The relationship between the two countries had been gradually improving, following a rupture caused by the 2010 IHH flotilla incident that aimed to break Israel’s Gaza siege.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently on a Middle East tour, paid an unannounced visit to the West Bank before heading to Turkey. However, it seems unlikely that he will meet President Erdogan during his visit.

President Erdogan has emphasized that it is Turkey’s responsibility to halt the violence and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He is working behind the scenes to address the ongoing crisis.

Additionally, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held phone conversations with his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, with the diplomatic efforts continuing to address the situation in the region.