• On December 31, the US Embassy issued an advisory regarding a large demonstration scheduled for 08:30 (local time) on January 1, 2026, at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge.
• It stated that the demonstration may cause traffic disruptions and could escalate into violence.
• Thousands are expected to attend, marching from other areas of Istanbul such as Suleymaniye, Sultanahmet, and Fatih as early as 06:30.
• On December 31, 2025, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya called for participation in the Galata Bridge protest “in solidarity with Gaza.”
• Additionally, state media announced that ferry services and sea transportation in the vicinity of the Galata Bridge will not operate between 04:00 and 12:00 on January 1, 2026.

FORECAST: The protest is likely to draw thousands of participants, particularly given Interior Minister Yerlikaya’s call for participation, which will likely boost the protest’s reach. While localized unrest cannot be ruled out, the demonstration is expected to proceed peacefully. Security forces will likely maintain a bolstered presence in the vicinity of the demonstration. Extensive traffic disruptions are likely to occur in the area.

1. Those operating or residing in Istanbul during the morning hours of January 1, 2026, are advised to maintain heightened vigilance and allot for disruptions due to the slated protest and associated risk of unrest.
2. American and Israeli nationals and Jewish individuals are advised to maintain a low profile in public and avoid revealing their identities, as well as their religious and political affiliations, around the protest.