ANKARA, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Turkey’s parliament removed Coca-Cola (KO.N) and Nestle (NESN.S) products from its restaurants on Tuesday over their alleged support for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza, according to an official statement and a source who named the two companies.
Speaker Numan Kurtulmus made the decision, it added, in order to “support public sensitivity regarding boycotting products of companies who have openly declared their support for Israel’s war crimes (and) killing of innocent people in Gaza”.
A parliamentary source said Coca-Cola beverages and Nestle instant coffee were the only brands removed from menus, adding the decision was meant to respond to “huge public outcry against these companies” for supporting Israel.
The Turkish parliament’s move is among the first by a government or major organisation to target big global brands over the month-long war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Over the past month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his government have sharply criticised Israel’s assault on Gaza and Western support for Jerusalem.
Hundreds of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets to protest against Israeli operations into Gaza over the past month.
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