In a move reflecting Turkey’s stance on the conflict in Gaza, Turkey’s Grand National Assembly has removed products from Coca-Cola and Nestle from its parliamentary restaurants. The decision, made by Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, aims to align with the public’s sensitivity towards boycotting companies allegedly supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza.
According to an official statement, products from companies supporting Israel will not be sold in the parliament campus. While the statement did not explicitly name the companies, a parliamentary source revealed that Coca-Cola beverages and Nestle instant coffee were the specific brands removed from menus.
The decision comes in response to a perceived public outcry against these companies for their alleged support of Israel. The statement, however, did not detail how Coca-Cola and Nestle were implicated in supporting Israel’s war effort. Both companies have not yet responded to requests for comments.
In recent days, Turkish activists on social media have called for boycotts of Israeli goods and Western companies perceived as endorsing Israel. Last month, Nestle temporarily shut down one of its production plants in Israel, making it the first consumer products giant to respond to the conflict.
This move by the Turkish parliament is among the first instances where a government or major organization targets prominent global brands over the month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. The decision aligns with the broader sentiment in Turkey, where President Tayyip Erdogan and his government have strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and Western support for Jerusalem.
Elsewhere, the Barcelona port stevedores’ union refused to handle military material amid the Gaza war, while Belgian transport unions declined to manage military equipment destined for Israel.
As Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza in response to a Hamas raid on southern Israel, the conflict has garnered widespread international attention. Gaza health officials report a significant number of casualties, with over 10,000 Palestinians, including 4,100 children, allegedly killed in the assault. The conflict has triggered protests worldwide, including hundreds of thousands of Turks taking to the streets in recent weeks to denounce Israeli operations in Gaza.
