It has only been less than a day since the terrorist attacks in Istanbul. More than 41 people were killed, as well as 147 wounded from the suicide bombings at the Attaturk Airport.
From Amsterdam to Australia, landmarks across the world were light up in red and white in solidarity of Istanbul. In Germany, the Brandenburg Gate proudly bore the Turkish colors on its facade.
Das Brandenburger Tor erstrahlt in Verbundenheit und Solidarität mit #Istanbul in den Farben der türkischen Flagge. pic.twitter.com/OMnpi9OSFW
— tagesthemen (@tagesthemen) June 29, 2016
Berlin's Brandenburg Gate lit up with Turkish al-bayrak in honor of #IstanbulAttack victims pic.twitter.com/Ye7ZFH8m8r
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) June 29, 2016
In Amsterdam, the Royal Palace likewise was lit up with Istanbul’s flag.
Uit solidariteit met de slachtoffers van de aanslag in #Istanbul is het Paleis op de Dam verlicht. #istanbulattack pic.twitter.com/N0NH7NXCXV
— Gemeente Amsterdam (@AmsterdamNL) June 29, 2016
Het Koninklijk Paleis op de Dam is verlicht in de kleuren van de Turkse vlag #Istanbul #solidarity pic.twitter.com/zT6hqiQGqP
— Ahmed Marcouch مركوش (@ahmedmarcouch) June 29, 2016
In Bosnia, the 16th century Ottoman bridge in Mostar was bathed in red light with Istanbul’s crescent and star floating above the water.
Bosnia in solidarity with Istanbul victims, Turkish flag projected onto 16th century Ottoman bridge in Mostar pic.twitter.com/hC8E88Xe6k
— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) June 29, 2016
#Mostar Old bridge in colours OF #Turkish flag – in solidarity with #istanbul #TurkeyAttack #Istanbulairportattack pic.twitter.com/NLYqH2Zc54
— Mirnes Kovac (@MirnesKovac) June 29, 2016
The tower of Melbourne’s Arts Centre was also lit up in red for Istanbul.
#ArtsCentreofMelbourne with #Turkish flag colors after #IstanbulAtaturkAirport attacks #Melbourne #Australia #AA pic.twitter.com/92GzAFq7lc
— Anadolu Images (@anadoluimages) June 29, 2016
The Eiffel Tower was supposed to receive the same treatment at 11pm, but the decision was postponed at the last minute “following a concern”.
A la suite d'un souci, l'illumination de la @LaTourEiffel aux couleurs de la Turquie est reportée à jeudi soir. ??
— Paris (@Paris) June 29, 2016
Journalists have noted that despite the outpouring of concern for similar terrorist attacks in Paris and Belgium, there has been a relative silence for the tragedy in Istanbul. Banksy himself tweeted this illustration that summed up the empathy gap all too pointedly well.
I'm so heartbroken to hear about the attack in Istanbul, Turkey. This image is so sad, but so true. pic.twitter.com/TTUJB7bemC
— banksy (@thereaIbanksy) June 29, 2016
A Facebook post written by James Taylor went viral and reminded people to take a critical look at the disparity of sympathy and empathy for countries like Turkey, and n this case, Istanbul.
“If these people were instead the people you see every day on your way to work, people just like you and I, normal, happy people,” he writes. “Families, policemen, students, artists, couples. Your friends maybe. These people are no different. They just happen to be Turkish.”
0 Comments