Türkiye’s parliament has ordered to remove Coca-Cola and Nestle products from its restaurants in response to their alleged support for Israel in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip, a source told media citing an official statement issued on November 7.
“The products of companies that support Israel will not be sold in restaurants, cafeterias and tea houses in the parliament campus,” Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly said, without identifying the companies.
According to the report, the decision, which affects restaurants, cafeterias, and tea houses within the parliament campus, was made by Speaker Numan Kurtulmus to “support public sensitivity regarding boycotting products of companies who have openly declared their support for Israel’s war crimes and the killing of innocent people in Gaza.”
While the parliament didn’t specifically name the companies in its statement, a source within the parliamentary circles confirmed that Coca-Cola beverages and Nestle instant coffee were the only brands removed from menus.
The step reflected the immense public outcry against these companies for their perceived support of Israel. Turkish activists have been actively promoting a boycott of Israeli goods and Western companies that they believe endorse Israel’s actions. This parliamentary move is among the first instances of a government or major organization targeting major global brands due to their perceived involvement in the month-long war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The exact nature of how Coca-Cola and Nestle supported Israel’s war effort remains unspecified, as both companies did not immediately respond to media’s requests for comment.
Notably, Nestle had previously announced the temporary shutdown of one of its production plants in Israel as a precautionary measure, making it the first consumer products giant to respond to the ongoing conflict.
Other restrictions
Internationally, other organizations also took stands against military involvement in the conflict. The Barcelona port stevedores’ union refused to load and unload any military materials related to the conflict, while Belgian transport unions declined to handle military equipment destined for Israel.
Turkey Recalls Ambassador to Israel
Turkey also recalled its ambassador to Israel, Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, for consultations regarding the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement issued on November 4, said Sakir Ozkan Torunlar was being recalled “in view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians and Israel’s refusal of calls for a ceasefire and the continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid.”
Israel’s airstrikes, which started October 7, have killed around 9,500 Palestinians, including 3,900 children. Over the past month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his government have grown more vocal in their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Western support for Jerusalem.
In response to this recall, Lior Haiat, a spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the move, characterizing it as “another step by the Turkish president that sides with the Hamas terrorist organization.”