TV news anchor is fired for accidental pro-Israel gaffe

News anchor Meltem Günay is fired.

The Turkish host made a pro-Israel gaffe.

Some viewers were outraged.

In a surprising twist, Meltem Günay, a 45-year-old award-winning news anchor at TGRT Haber, was fired over a simple on-air gaffe.

The host was fired along with the program’s director after a controversial incident that infuriated viewers.

The dismissal came after Günay appeared on air with a cup of Starbucks coffee sitting in front of her during the Christmas Eve show.

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Turkey, a predominantly Muslim and pro-Palestinian country in Gaza, drew fire from enraged viewers.

They saw the issue as promoting indirect support for Israel, since Starbucks has been perceived as pro-Israel in the region.

It is worth mentioning that the reaction was so intense that the Turkish media conglomerate took quick measures to nip the controversy in the bud.

Hours after the show generated violent reactions, ‘GRT Haber issued a statement announcing the both employees had been dismissed.

Meltem Günay is fired due to an on-air gaffe

PHOTO: Twitter

The station reported that the two employees were fired for «covertly advertising» Starbucks, an action strictly prohibited under the station’s «principles.»

Likewise, the official statement mercilessly condemned the actions of Günay and the director of the program,

It underlined TGRT’s commitment to an «understanding that knows the sensitivities of the Turkish people regarding Gaza and defends them to the end.»

The decision to fire the host and director was not only a response to the controversy surrounding Starbucks, but also reflects Turkey’s delicate geopolitical relationship in the region.

Starbucks is boycotted in Turkey

PHOTO: Shutterstock

Coffee lovers in Turkey have turned against Starbucks in a nationwide boycott in recent weeks.

Pro-Palestinian supporters allege that the company is biased toward Israel.

Pro-Palestinian activists were furious after the coffee chain sued its own union, Starbucks Workers United.

This was because the organization posted a, since deleted, message on social media showing solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Solidarity with Palestine

PHOTO: Shutterstock

The union shared a message saying «Solidarity with Palestine» and an image of a Hamas-operated bulldozer tearing down a fence in the Gaza Strip.

«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 said.

For his part, the chain’s CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, blamed the “misrepresentation on social media of what we stand for” in a letter.

Narasimhan did not mention the war between Israel and Hamas in his letter on the Starbucks blog, but many feel he was referring to it.

Was Meltem Günay fired unfairly?

PHOTO: Shutterstock

He continued: “Many of our stores have experienced incidents of vandalism. We see protesters influenced by misrepresentation on social media of what we stand for.»

«We have worked with local authorities to ensure our partners and customers are safe,» Narasimhan added, according to The Sun.

TGRT’s statement following the dismissal continued: «We do not approve of this action of the presenter and director, whose employment contracts were terminated, and we strongly condemn it.»

«From now on, our institution will continue to stand by the Gaza and Turkish people and protect their sensitivities until the end.» See the video HERE.