Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
Event: On January 1, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., a large, organized, pro-Palestinian demonstration involving thousands of participants is scheduled to take place at Galata Bridge in Istanbul. Beginning as early as 6:30 a.m., thousands of participants are expected to march from Süleymaniye, Sultanahmet, and Fatih to the site of the demonstration. U.S. citizens should take this into account if planning to visit these areas. Large gatherings may result in enhanced police presence, road closures, and traffic disruptions. Any gathering, even those intended to be peaceful, could escalate and turn violent.
Actions to Take:
- Keep a low profile.
- Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
Contact Information:
U.S. Mission to Turkey
Türkiye’s Country Page
Türkiye’s Travel Advisory
State Department – Consular Affairs: 1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
Follow our main U.S. Embassy social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, X.
