Turkish, int'l activists set out for Palestine by land

A group of Turkish and international activists departed from Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on a long overland journey toward the occupied Palestinian territories, aiming to raise global awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. The Palestine Convoy, comprising 85 participants from more than 20 European nations, arrived in Turkey via the Ipsala Border Gate in Edirne on Thursday after traveling through Albania and Greece. Organizers plan to proceed through Iraq and Jordan, arriving at the border of the occupied Palestinian territories on August 21, 2026. Upon entry into Turkey, the convoy was greeted by local civil society groups waving Turkish and Palestinian flags. The journey began in Srebrenica, where the activists commemorated the 31st anniversary of the genocide that occurred during the Bosnian War. According to Hüseyin Durmaz, a spokesperson for the Palestine Convoy and a Turkish activist, the group paid tribute to the victims and reflected on how collective inaction had allowed such tragedies to unfold. He stated that the activists felt a moral obligation to act now, rather than remain silent in the face of current events in Gaza and the West Bank. Durmaz emphasized that the convoy’s primary goal is to prevent the West Bank from becoming another Gaza. He criticized Israel’s ongoing efforts to displace Palestinians and expand its control over the region. “Israel is pursuing a very serious policy of forced displacement,” he said, adding that the country openly aims to transform the West Bank into a new Gaza. He expressed concern that despite the recent cease-fire agreement, humanitarian aid is still not reaching Gaza, and Israel appears to be increasing its occupation rather than withdrawing. According to Durmaz, the convoy seeks to shift international attention back to Gaza and apply greater pressure on Israel. He noted that since the cease-fire, Gaza has largely disappeared from the global spotlight, and he believes the group’s journey can help restore visibility to the plight of Palestinians. The activists hope to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the potential for further violence if no meaningful action is taken. The convoy has gained considerable support throughout the Balkans, with widespread public interest and backing in countries including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece. Durmaz described the movement as growing “like a snowball” as it meets with people and raises awareness about the Palestinian cause. He stressed that the group is not targeting any specific nation along its route but is focused solely on opposing what it describes as Zionist policies perceived as genocidal. Durmaz reiterated that the mission is to halt what he calls a genocide occurring in the present era. He mentioned that previous global initiatives had limitations, but this time the route has been carefully planned and tested. He expressed confidence that the countries along the path would not hinder the convoy, as the activists are not interfering with domestic politics in those regions. Their sole objective is to isolate Israel internationally and contribute to ending its actions. The activists plan to continue their journey until the situation in Palestine improves. They intend to travel through several countries, relying on the support of local communities and civil society organizations. The group’s arrival in the occupied Palestinian territories is scheduled for August 21, 2026, marking the culmination of a months-long effort to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis and advocate for an end to the conflict.