Turkey Protest Israeli Massacre

02 jan 09 http://timeturk.com/
World Bulletin / News Desk

Thousands of people in Turkey have gathered outside mosques across the country to protest Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

Thousands denounced Israeli massacre in Gaza outside historic Beyazit mosque in Istanbul after Friday prayers, burning Israeli and U.S. flags and reciting funeral prayers for the victims.

Deputy chairman of Turkey's ruling party AKP, Bülent Gedikli, condemned Israeli bombardments as a crime against humanity and said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert deserved a pair of shoes to be thrown at him like Bush."

The state-run Anatolia news agency says similar protests were held in several other Turkish cities.

The protesters chanted "Israeli murderers, get out of Palestine", "Muslims, don't sleep, defend Palestine", waving Palestinian flags and burning Israeli ones.

Turkey has deep root with the Palestinians and their cause has widespread support in the country.

Gedikli told Anatolia news agency, the offensive has reached the scale of a crime against humanity.

He slammed Israel also for not allowing the access of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians.

Turkish leaders has denounced Israel airstrikes over Gaza and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is working on a two-stage plan to end Israeli days of violence.