Turkish news presenter is FIRED for appearing on live broadcast with Starbucks coffee cup on her desk amid pro-Palestinians’ boycott of brand ‘over its support for Israel’

A Turkish news anchor has been fired after appearing on a live news broadcast with a Starbucks coffee cup on her desk.

Meltem Günay, a presenter on station TGRT Haber, presented the news on Christmas Eve with a cup from the coffee chain clearly visible in front of her.

The audience criticized the presenter for this move, claiming that she was supporting Starbucks, which is currently being boycotted by pro-Palestinian activists due to the brand's alleged support for the Israeli government.

Hours later, TGRT announced that it had “terminated” both Günay and the news segment director for the company's “covert advertising,” which is strictly prohibited by the broadcaster's “principles.”

It added that it “strongly condemns” their actions and stated that TGRT has an “understanding that knows the sensitivities of the Turkish people regarding Gaza and defends them to the end.”

She has now been 'fired' by the broadcaster for 'covertly promoting' the company, which is strictly prohibited in the broadcaster's 'principles'.

Pro-Palestinian activists organized a boycott of Starbucks after the coffee chain sued its union for expressing solidarity with Palestinians

TGRT said in a statement on .

“In accordance with the principles of our institution, it is strictly prohibited for the announcer to present on TGRT News TV in a manner that surreptitiously promotes any company.

'The newsreader and director who acted contrary to this principle were dismissed for good reason.

“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.

'We do not approve of this action by the presenter and director, whose employment contracts have been terminated, and we strongly condemn it.

'For this reason, their employment contracts have been terminated.

“From now on, our institution will continue to support the people of Gaza and Turkey and protect their sensitivities until the end.

“It will be respectfully announced to the public.”

Pro-Palestinian activists staged a boycott of Starbucks after the coffee chain sued its union, Starbucks Workers United, after the union posted a now-deleted social media post expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

Last month, a Starbucks in Melbourne, Australia, was plastered with anti-Israel stickers and smeared with red paint after it was boycotted by pro-Palestinian activists

Stickers emblazoned with the Star of David and a red “no symbol” were placed on the Starbucks storefront, while red paint, imitating blood, was smeared on the walls.

The labor group shared a message reading “Solidarity with Palestine” above an image of a Hamas bulldozer tearing down a fence in the Gaza Strip, according to news organizations that saw the message.

“We unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hatred and violence and disagree with the statements and positions of Workers United and its members,” Starbucks said in a message.

Relations between Turkey and Tel Aviv have rapidly deteriorated amid Israel's brutal bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Last month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Israel is a “terrorist state” that is committing war crimes and violating international law in Gaza.

He also reiterated his position that Hamas was a political party chosen by Palestinians, but failed to mention that there have been no elections in Gaza since 2006, when Hamas defeated Fatah, a secular movement.

On October 7, Hamas gunmen attacked Israel and killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on Israeli figures.

They took 250 hostages, 129 of whom are still in Gaza, Israel says.

Israel retaliated with a brutal bombardment and siege, followed by a ground invasion. The campaign has killed at least 20,915 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest figures published Tuesday by Gaza's Health Ministry.