ANKARA, December 24 A news anchor in Turkey was fired due to… for the fact that she went on air with a cup with the emblem of Starbucks, which is considered “pro-Israeli” in the country against the backdrop of the conflict in Gaza, the TV presenter’s employer, the TGRT haber television channel, reported.
«In the news broadcast of the TGRT Haber TV channel dated December 24, 2023, presenter Meltem Günay, presenting the news, held a cup belonging to Starbucks in front of her. In accordance with the principles of our organization, it is strictly prohibited to act as a presenter on TGRT Haber in a way that is hidden advertise any company. The presenter and director who violated this principle were fired,» the channel said in a statement on the social network X.
«Our organization will continue to stand on the side of Gaza and the Turkish people and defend their feelings to the end,» — notes the TV channel.
A campaign to boycott Israeli products and companies supporting Israel is underway throughout Turkey.
Protests against McDonald's and Starbucks coffee shops have been going on in Turkey for some time, but so far they have not led to the closure of any outlets. In particular, activists of the ruling Justice and Development Party of Turkey staged protests at Starbucks, occupying all the seats on the verandas for half an hour in protest; in October, the windows of the McDonald's branch near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul were broken.