A Turkish anchor, Meltem Günay, was immediately terminated by her station TGRT Haber after she did a live broadcast where a Starbucks coffee cup was seen on her desk.

The brand has been boycotted by pro-Palestinians in the Islamic country because it is deemed to be Israeli-friendly.

Günay was reporting the news on Christmas Eve when the cup was spotted and it was not tolerated in the least by her superiors. Her audience evidently threw a fit over the brand as well, accusing her of endorsing Starbucks and its alleged support of the Israeli government.

Just hours after the incident blew up in Turkey, she was fired. The director of the news segment she was part of was also booted for “covertly advertising” Starbucks.

On Sunday (Dec. 24th) morning Turkish TGRT Haber, a news channel targeting conservative audiences. anchor presented the news with a Starbucks coffee cup in the frame. In the evening the TV network management made an announcement stating that she and her director were fired. pic.twitter.com/ycKToCkLfe

— The FenderBender (@yalnizadalar) December 24, 2023

The network says it “strongly condemns” what happened and went on to assert that TGRT has an “understanding that knows the sensitivities of the Turkish people regarding Gaza and defends them to the end.”

TGRT released a statement on X Sunday that made its stance very clear, “In the news broadcast of TGRT Haber TV dated 24.12.2023, Meltem Günay, who was an announcer, was seen presenting the news with a Starbucks cup in front of her. In accordance with the principles of our institution, it is strictly forbidden for the announcer to present on TGRT News TV in a way that will covertly advertise any company.”

“The news anchor and director who acted contrary to this principle were terminated for just cause. Our institution has an understanding that knows the sensitivities of the Turkish people regarding Gaza and defends them to the end. It is absolutely impossible to approve any action or publication contrary to this,” the statement continued according to the Daily Mail.

“We do not approve of this action of the presenter and director, whose employment contracts were terminated, and we strongly condemn it. For this reason, their employment contracts were terminated. From now on, our institution will continue to stand by the Gaza and Turkish people and protect their sensitivities until the end. It is announced to the public with respect,” the post concluded.

Turkish hypocrisy hits new heights. They dink Starbucks, but no one should see it. They kill kurds, lecture Israel on gaza. Part of NATO and backs ISIS, want to join EU but flood Europe with illegal immigrants.

— Porsche Fan (@FanPorche) December 26, 2023

Starbucks has been boycotted by pro-Palestinian activists in Turkey since it sued its union, Starbucks Workers United after the labor organization came out in support of Palestinians in a now-deleted X post.

“The union group shared a message reading ‘Solidarity with Palestine’ above an image of a bulldozer operated by Hamas tearing down a fence on the Gaza strip, according to news organizations who saw the post,” the Daily Mail reported.

“We unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hate, and violence, and disagree with the statements and views expressed by Workers United and its members,” Starbucks retaliated in a post.

Starbucks Union Stands with Palestine

The Starbuck’s Corporation put out this statement.
“We unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hate and violence and disagree with statements and views expressed by the Workers United Union and its members. The Workers United Union’s… pic.twitter.com/4OzQdXuto5

— Brooklyn (@bklynborn1210) October 30, 2023

Turkey is certainly no friend to Israel. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called Israel a “terror state” in November. He accused them of committing war crimes and violating international law in Gaza.

“He also repeated his view that Hamas was a political party that had been elected by Palestinians while failing to mention there hasn’t been an election in Gaza since 2006 when Hamas beat Fatah, a secular movement,” the Daily Mail noted.

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