TV anchor fired for appearing with alleged pro-Israel Starbucks cup on desk
Author of the article
enette Wilford
Published Dec 27, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
Turkish news presenter Meltem Gunay fired for Starbucks cup on desk during live news broadcast.
Turkish news presenter Meltem Gunay fired for Starbucks cup on desk during live news broadcast. TGRT Haber
A Turkish news presenter was fired for having a Starbucks cup on live TV amid “pro-Palestinians’ boycott of the brand “over its support of Israel.”
Meltem Gunay, a presenter on station TGRT Haber, was criticized for the Starbucks drink on her desk during the broadcast.
She was accused of endorsing the coffee company, which is currently being boycotted by pro-Palestinian activists because of its support of Israel.
Shortly after the appearance of Gunay and her cup, the station announced the anchor was “terminated,” along with the director of the news segment for “covertly advertising” Starbucks.
“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,” TGRT said in a statement on X.
The station noted: “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.”
The Istanbul-based media company went on to state who it supports in the Israel-Hamas war.
“From now on, our institution will continue to stand by the Gaza and Turkish people and protect their sensitivities until the end.”
People across Turkey have been boycotting Starbucks over the last couple of months due to what pro-Palestinian defenders claim is the coffee company’s support of Israel.
Social media users in Turkey have shared videos showing protests outside Starbucks locations demanding customers join their cause.
Turkish news presenter Meltem Gunay fired for Starbucks cup on desk during live news broadcast.
Turkish news presenter Meltem Gunay fired for Starbucks cup on desk during live news broadcast. TGRT Haber
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blasted the Israeli government over its been publicly critical of the Israeli government’s air and ground offensive and heavy strikes in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
Erdogan also called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the “butcher of Gaza” and said he should eventually be tried as a “war criminal,” Reuters reported.
In a story shared on Starbucks’ website, CEO Laxman Narasimhan blamed “misrepresentation on social media of what we stand for,” appearing to address recent controversies over the coffee chain’s stance on Israel and Hamas.
“I am concerned about the state of the world we live in. There are conflicts in many parts,” Narasimhan wrote. “It has unleashed violence against the innocent, hate and weaponized speech, and lies — all of which we condemn.”
He went on to look at how “escalating protests” have resulted in vandalism at many of its stores but appeared to express sympathy for innocent victims in both Israel and Gaza.
“We see protestors influenced by misrepresentation on social media of what we stand for,” he continued. “We have worked with local authorities to ensure our partners and customers are safe. Nothing is more important. Our stance is clear. We stand for humanity.”
A Turkish news presenter was fired for having a Starbucks cup on live TV amid pro-Palestinians’ boycott of the brand.
torontosun.com
