• Published 02:39 18.06.10
  • Latest update 02:39 18.06.10

Israel's biggest supermarkets agree not to boycott Turkish goods

Despite tensions, retailers bow to minister's request to keep stocking Turkish products.

Israel's biggest supermarket chains - Super-Sol, Blue Square and Rami Levy - will not boycott Turkish goods, they advised the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. Earlier this week ministry director general Sharon Kedmi had asked the retailers to continue to sell Turkish products despite the mounting tension between Jerusalem and Ankara.

Supermarket, August 11, 2010

Supermarket, August 11, 2010

Photo by: Getty

Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer is a strong advocate for separating business from politics. He stressed his opposition to a boycott, saying that it would only exacerbate the tension.

Super-Sol chairman Rafi Bisker told Kedmi that the chain applauds Ben-Eliezer's call. Dudi Wiessman, chairman of Blue Square, said his chain agreed to eschew boycotts. Rami Levy, CEO of the Rami Levy Shivuk Hashikma chain, had previously suggested that he would finish selling the Turkish products in inventory and then import equivalents from elsewhere. Yesterday, in a reply to Kedmi's letter, he wrote, "The delicacy of the situation between the nations is clear to me and I have no intention of causing any damage to companies in trading relationships with Turkey." He would honor the ministry's policy, he wrote.

After certain other retailers vowed to boycott Turkish products exporters complained to Ben-Eliezer, expressing concern that their clients in Turkey would return the "favor." (Ora Coren )

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  • 8. 0 0
    turkish not so delight
    • danny boy
    • 18.06.10
    • 09:11

    i am actively boycotting every little thing i can from this ignorant islamic entity which send terrorists to attack israel alll food , clothes and any thing else.. and many of my pals too.

  • 7. 0 0
    They are a thorn in the side of Israel
    • Down with Labor!
    • 18.06.10
    • 08:55

    They will continue to pressure Israel to appease and appease until there is no more Israel (chas v'shalom!)

  • 6. 0 0
    right descision
    • Orkun
    • 18.06.10
    • 08:46

    When you have a fire you throw water on it not gasolin. Turkey and Israel need each other. A lot of people araound are so happy to see that we are having a political fight. We must stop fighting soonest possible...Otherwise damage will be very severe for both side. We have no problems with Israeli citizens in Turkey. You are always wellcome.

  • 5. 0 0
    Dudes
    • Turk
    • 18.06.10
    • 08:28

    Come, stop with the stubborn behavior, and just apologize for your mistake! And you are wrong; it is not only the Islamists (perhaps just 3% of Turkey), but even the ultrasecularists and friends of Israel, like me, who are pissed off with Israel for this flotilla incident. You know, right? For the first time in the history of modern Turkey, and for the first time since the WW1, did a foreign military kill Turkish civilians!!! This is something HUGE for Turks and Turkey, and you must apologize. Turks are probably the nation with the least anti-Israeli sentiment, but if a country attacks its civilians, that is another issue. Any country would have done so; do not, please, equate this with the Islamists and such, and please see your fault, guys! I love the Jews and Israel, and I believe most Jews today are descendants of the Turkish Khazar state! You guys' lobby supported Turks, when noone else did! The two countries were in perfect relationship. True, Erdogan is sometimes being too much, but with the flotilla incident, you have turned even your friends to your enemies in Turkey. So, come on, just apologize! You know, you want it! You know, you were wrong there. Everyone makes mistakes! People will not lose respect for you if you apologize; in fact, their respect will double/triple! Because you guys are obviously wrong. Supporting the wrong thing just serves to damage your country's image, and gives an impression like Israelis like to attack civilians. If Israel really thought the humanitarians on the ship posed a threat to their security, they should have simply arrested them, and not kill. If you guys had done so, you would have had a bigger damage to the humanitarians there (not that I would want that, but I mean, this woudl have been more considerate and strategic on your part), and you would have been able to better show your teeth, if that was what you wanted to do. Anyway, best wishes from Turkey. I hope that the friendship between the two countries continue... The Turkish Boy....

  • 4. 0 0
  • 3. 0 0
    Turkish Products
    • DrJ
    • 18.06.10
    • 07:14

    The large supermarket chains might have decided to continue selling Turkish products, but that does not mean that the public will not boycott "Made in Turkey."

  • 2. 0 0
    Are Coffee Makers Deciding Policy?
    • UsedToPostHere
    • 18.06.10
    • 06:45

    The big high profile military contracts are worth the points the they make. Turkey gets things from Israel that it can't get anywhere else and the security concerns are considerable when they are on the wrong side of so many conflicts, but do the coffee makers really have such a political say? Maybe, I don't buy things from people who are trying to kill me, be it a sesame candy or an attack helicopter.

  • 1. 0 61
    Boycott or not to boycott
    • American
    • 18.06.10
    • 05:37

    How come Israel is not boycotting Turkish's good while Turkey is boycotting Iraeli's deplomats? Turkey should be ashamed of its horrible long history and should instead take the opportunity to thank Israel for combatting terrorism. But i guess the Turkish gov wants to continue to keep their horrible image the world knows about.

    • 0 0
      you are strange guys
      • jasmic
      • 18.06.10
      • 08:56

      I cannot believe what I read. turkey is not boykotting yet any goods and none of the diplomats. israeli diaspora rejected turkish diplomats in US. israel gov. pulled back their diplomat families while tr gov. declared guarantee for their full security. So what!!