Turkish governor ramps up anti-Coca Cola protests against Israel (by drinking Fanta)

The governor of the western province of Tekirdağ has joined the boycott of what is arguably the most popular soda drink in the world, Coca-Cola, over Israel’s latest military campaign in Gaza, tweeting a photo of himself posing with bottles of Fanta. Unfortunately for Governor Ali Yerlikaya, Fanta is also product of the Coca-Cola Company.

During a fast-breaking iftar dinner hosted by a local official, Yerlikaya refused to drink Coca-Cola, asking for Fanta to be served to guests instead.

Protests against Coca-Cola have been gaining momentum in Turkey recently, due to the company’s allegedly pro-Israel stance. However, upon international boycott calls, the Coca-Cola Company released a statement on July 21, denying that it supports any particular country or political stance and saying it is the third largest employer and fifth largest investor in Palestine.

Governor Yerlikaya’s act of protest came after he retweeted daily Sabah columnist Engin Ardıç’s tweet criticizing those who were consuming Coke despite the Gaza operation. “Waiting for the Ababil birds holding Coca-Cola glasses in their hands is a buffoon’s attitude for the 1.5 billion Muslims [around the world],” Ardıç had tweeted.

The Ababil, a bird belonging to the swift family and referenced in the Quran, has symbolic value for Muslims. According to the legend, the Ababil protected Mecca against the Yemenite King Abraha’s army of elephants.

Last year, Turkey passed through a period of major soul-searching about its “national drink,” after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized those who considered the anis-flavored local alcohol rakı to be Turkey’s national beverage. Erdoğan instead...