No More 'Coke Side of Life': Turkey parliament loses cool over Coca Cola, Nestle; brands banned from premises

Due to their alleged support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, the Turkish parliament on Tuesday banned Coca-Cola (KO.N) and Nestle (NESN.S) products from its restaurants. This was confirmed by a statement from the parliament and a source who identified the two companies. A request for comment was not immediately answered by the two businesses. “It was decided that the products of companies that support Israel will not be sold in restaurants, cafeterias, and tea houses in the parliament campus,” the statement read. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus made the decision, but it did not name the companies. A parliamentary source said Coca-Cola beverages and Nestle instant coffee were the only brands removed from the menu. The source said the decision was taken in response to public demand. “The parliament speaker’s office did not remain indifferent to the public outcry and decided to remove products of these companies from the menu of cafes and restaurants in parliament,” the source said. Both companies have been named in social media posts in recent days by Turkish activists calling for a boycott of Israeli goods and Western companies they view as endorsing Israel. Turkey’s government has sharply criticised Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and Western support for Jerusalem. Israel has bombarded Gaza since a Hamas raid on southern Israel a month ago, when its fighters killed 1,400 people and seized 240 hostages. Gaza health officials say Israel’s assault has killed more than 10,000 Palestinians, including some 4,100 children. Hundreds of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets to protest against Israeli operations into Gaza over the past month, as well as protests on social media. (with inputs from agencies)