Distribution of Turkish coffee packs to Israeli soldiers sparks controversy… Details
A photo showing a large quantity of famous Turkish coffee packs being distributed to Israeli occupation soldiers has sparked widespread controversy on social media. The image depicted an Israeli soldier standing next to a civilian who carried a substantial quantity of coffee packs bearing the Turkish brand (Mehmet Efendi).
A popular boycott campaign initiated by Turkish tweeters on social media forced the well-known company (Mehmet Efendi), which exports its products abroad, to issue a statement clarifying the allegations of donating coffee quantities to the Israeli army, which they denied.
The company stated in its release that it did not provide any quantities of its products to the Israeli army but emphasized that it exports coffee to 60 countries worldwide, without mentioning the names of those countries or whether Israel is one of them.
It also emphasized that it will remain a “symbol” of hospitality and friendship in response to popular demands for boycott, along with several international brands that have branches in Turkey after the photo was published on Twitter showing two Israeli military personnel carrying its products thousands of times.
However, local media outlets and some activists on social media reposted a photo showing two Israeli soldiers carrying quantities of packaged bags bearing the company’s name, renewing the campaign against it, demanding a boycott of its products.
This company is one among several international and local companies that Turkish activists called for boycotting to express their solidarity with the residents of Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli war there for over a month, which has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people so far.
Since Israel began its attacks on the Gaza Strip last month, Turkish tweeters have urged a boycott of local and international brands accused of supporting Israel.
Moreover, a chain of global restaurants has been subject to attacks and sabotage in several Turkish states by angry protestors showing support for Palestine.
