Turkey protests Israel's oppression of Jerusalem women

By Murat Asil

KAYSERI, Turkey (AA) - Local non-governmental organizations in Turkey's central Kayseri province marched on Friday in support of a campaign aiming to promote awareness about the persecution of women in Jerusalem.

Members from several organizations that gathered in front of a mosque in the city center threw their support behind a campaign titled "We are all Mary," protesting Israel's oppression of women since the end of January.

"In the past, the people of Jerusalem were governed by Islam, but were never subject to pressure and violence," said Aynur Isik, a spokeswoman for one of the protesting groups.

Isik said that Jerusalem was going through a "dark mark" in its history, before the eyes of the world.

"We want the entire world to hear of these adversities," she said, underlining that it was women and children who were most affected.

"The women of Jerusalem live through all manner of persecution and difficulty," she added.

Isik stressed that women in Jerusalem were barred from performing their prayers in the Masjid al-Aqsa mosque.

"I invite all those who have a sense of conscience to stand by Palestinian women by telling the world about the ugly practices of occupier Israel," she added.

The "We are All Mary" campaign began on Jan. 28 in Turkey, with events held in various countries across the globe including Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Malaysia and Canada.

It is set to conclude on March 8.