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In a bold move, Turkey’s parliament has decided to stop serving Coca-Cola and Nestle products, citing their alleged support for Israel. The decision, announced in a statement from the Turkish parliament, states that products from companies backing Israel will no longer be available in the parliament’s restaurants, cafeterias, and tea houses.
Led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the parliament made this decision on Tuesday in response to the companies’ perceived support for Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas fighters. The official statement emphasized that it was a collective choice to exclude these products from the parliament campus.
Parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus, responsible for the decision, did not explicitly name the companies involved. However, a source informed Reuters that Coca-Cola beverages and Nestle instant coffee were the sole brands affected, addressing public demand for action.
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On social media platforms, activists have been rallying for a broader boycott of Israeli goods and Western companies supporting the Gaza attacks. Turkey’s government has vocally criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, as well as Western backing for Jerusalem.
Trade between Turkey and Israel has seen a significant decline, dropping by half since the war’s commencement compared to the same period last year, according to the Turkish trade minister. The country has also taken diplomatic steps, recalling its ambassador to Israel for consultations due to concerns about civilian casualties and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Last month, Israeli diplomats left Turkey due to security concerns amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel has since stated that the recall was to assess the state of bilateral relations.
