AFSÜ and AKÜ organized a march to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza and to support the Palestinian protests held at universities around the world. Making a press statement at Zafer Square, our Rector Prof. Dr. Nurullah Okumuş, stated that the difficulties faced by Palestinians, especially in the health sector, due to the actions of the terrorist state Israel, have reached a level so horrific that words can no longer describe them.
Academics and students from Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University and Afyon Kocatepe University, who gathered in front of Gedik Ahmet Pasha Mosque (Imaret Mosque), marched to Zafer Square with banners and banners, chanting slogans against Israel.
Prof. Dr. Karakaş: “It is impossible for us to remain silent in the face of this oppression.”
AKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karakaş stated that they had gathered to raise their voices stronger against the genocide happening in Gaza and to express their democratic reaction in his speech at Zafer Square.
Prof. Dr. Karakaş emphasized that the oppression in Gaza has turned into an atrocity that wounds the conscience of humanity and said: “As the descendants of a nation that has always stood for justice and righteousness throughout history, it is impossible for us to remain silent in the face of this oppression. With the awareness of carrying the responsibility to defend universal human values and fundamental human rights, we support the rightful protests continuing in universities across different parts of the world.”
Prof. Dr. Okumuş: “The atrocities of the Israelis have turned into a genocide that has entered the shameful pages of human history.”
AFSÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Nurullah Okumuş explained that the direct attacks on hospitals, health institutions, and healthcare workers in Gaza and the West Bank, along with the prevention of the supply of all kinds of medical supplies and patient transfers, have deepened the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians, taking it to an unprecedented level.
Prof. Dr. Okumuş said: “We have gathered here today to once again strongly declare our solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians. Since 1948, the atrocities of those who call themselves ‘settlers’ have subjected millions of innocent Palestinians to displacement, famine, destruction, and death, and as of October 7, 2023, these atrocities have turned into a genocide that has entered the shameful pages of human history.
Since that date, we have witnessed the massacre of 35,000 people, without distinction between children, women, young, elderly, or disabled, by Israel; thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes, and even infants in cradles have died under the rubble of bombings.
The difficulties faced by Palestinians in terms of food, shelter, and healthcare services due to the actions of the terrorist state Israel have now reached a level so horrific that words can no longer describe them.
Direct attacks on hospitals, health institutions, and healthcare workers in Gaza and the West Bank, and the prevention of the supply of all kinds of medical supplies and patient transfers, have caused the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians to deepen to an unprecedented level in history.
From Afyonkarahisar, we send thousands of greetings to all healthcare workers and journalists who continue to serve selflessly in Palestine, despite all these difficulties!
“We stand on the side of good, right, and love.”
This war is a war between good and evil, right and wrong, love and hate. We stand on the side of good, right, and love. No father, of any colour, religion, or nationality, should have to carry the coffin of their innocent child; no mother should have to pray at night that the sound of bombs does not wake her baby, and no civilian, especially young people and children, should have their dreams for the future stolen.
Everything we say should not happen in Palestine is happening in the most merciless way. Our conscience can no longer bear what is happening there. Israel must stop immediately or be stopped.
“Our hearts beat with Palestine, our souls burn with Palestine.”
It is so tragic that a merciless attack has been launched on the city of Rafah, where thousands of Palestinians sought refuge, and the start of an apparent genocide has been given right in front of the eyes of the whole world. And how is it that the world’s response to this genocide is just to say, ‘Don’t, stop’? Worse still, many world states continue to support Israel, providing weapons and financial aid. Even worse, criticizing Israel has become a crime.
However, as a hopeful development for changing the negative situation in Palestine, we see that more and more people around the world are taking a clear stance against Israel’s barbaric policies through boycotts. The best example of this is the anti-Israel protests that university students and academics around the world have started, growing like a snowball.
As the AFSÜ and AKÜ family, with all our academics, students, and staff, we stand with the Palestinians. We demand that the crimes against humanity committed in Palestine end immediately. Without any conditions or excuses, this massacre must be stopped immediately, and those responsible must be punished severely.
Our hearts beat with Palestine, our souls burn with Palestine. May God be the helper and protector of the Palestinian people.”
AFSÜ Medical Student Furkan Altıntaş recited the poem “O Palestine,” written by our Rector Prof. Dr. Nurullah Okumuş after the speeches.
Güncelleme Tarihi: 5 Şubat 2025
