Municipal authorities in Turkey are backing a boycott of Israeli goods in response to Israel’s military attack on Gaza and the deaths of more than 500 Palestinians.
Authorities in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa and cities and towns across the country are refusing to stock Israeli products in shops, cafes and recreation centers they manage and are calling on residents not to buy them.
As well as Israeli goods, many are also banning Coca-Cola in protest at U.S. support for Israel.
Sakir Yucel Karaman, mayor of Istanbul's Gungoren district, said: "It is important to emphasize that we should not give any logistical support to Israeli violence."
“With this understanding, we decided to make clear our attitude by not selling Coca Cola products and others which support the illegal Zionist expansionist policies of Israel."
Hilmi Turkmen, mayor of the city’s Uskudar district, added: "We should at least support our side in such situation as Muslim countries have subsided into a silence."
The boycott expanded across the country through social media with posts listing goods produced in Israel or by companies closely linked to Israel.
There have been reports of a counter-boycott in Israeli supermarkets against Turkish products.
Since July 7 Israel has bombarded Gaza and began a ground offensive on Thursday. The latest toll shows 541 Palestinians and 22 Israelis have been killed during that period.
www.aa.com.tr/en
