We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TURKEY PALESTINIANS ISRAEL TRADE
HEADLINE: Youth group exposes Turkey's Israel trade.
TEASER: Youth group scrutinizes Erdogan's Israel trade links
PUBLISHED AT: 09/18/2024 at 11:40AM
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Istanbul
VIDEOGRAPHER: Agency, Courtesy, Berke Bas DO NOT USE NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS, djones approved
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, 1000 Youth for Palestine, Reuters
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:07
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVR
UPDATE: NEEDS BALANCE CHECK; DO NOT USE NAME BERKE BAS NAME FOR SECURITY REASON.))
((INTRO))
[[A group of young activists in Turkey known as 1000 Youth for Palestine is posing a rare and potent challenge to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by using social media to expose Turkey's ongoing trade with Israel. This, despite Erdogan's public claims that he has imposed a strict trade embargo on Israel over the war in Gaza. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, the group's message is crossing the deep political, social and religious divides of Turkey.]]
((NARRATOR))
The latest protest in Istanbul by the group 1000 Youth for Palestine was over the killing by Israeli security forces of the Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
But along with condemning Israel, the demonstrators also took aim at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for sustaining Turkey's trade with Israel.
[[RADIO VERSION: Gulsum is an academic who is part of 1000 Youth for Palestine. She asked to be identified only by her first name for security reasons.]]
((Gulsum, 1000 Youth for Palestine)) ((Female in English))
"I am here to force the Turkish government to stop the oil trade with Israel and to stop genocide. This is not just a public demand. It's also a legal obligation for Turkey to stop genocide."
((Mandatory cg. 1000 Youth for Palestine))
((NARRATOR))
The student-based group, since the start of Israel's Gaza military campaign, has targeted the export of Azerbaijani oil to Israel by way of a Turkish port. The group is also protesting Turkish companies' continuing trade ties with Israel despite an official embargo.
((Mandatory cg. 1000 Youth for Palestine))
((NARRATOR))
The group uses social media to broadcast its message, circumventing government-controlled media.
((end courtesy))
Activists say their campaign is strengthened by their group's diversity.
[[RADIO VERSION: Gizem is a university student with 1000 Youth for Palestine..]]
((Gizem, 1000 Youth for Palestine)) ((female in Turkish))
"When it comes to Palestine, it is a story that unites us all. So, we are a group who can easily agree on what we can do for it from here. There are those who define themselves as socialists and those who define themselves as Islamists. There are also apolitical youth who say, 'I don't like politics' but still join us."
((Mandatory cg. 1000 Youth for Palestine))
((NARRATOR))
Police are cracking down on the protests. A state broadcaster panel discussion on Israel was disrupted by the group, resulting in the arrest of a Palestinian member who now faces deportation.
((end courtesy))
The incident sparked more protests.
Arresting protesters who are Islamists, analysts say, will likely embarrass Erdogan and alienate his religious base.
Analysts accuse Erdogan of exploiting deep divisions between secular and religious Turks, and they say the group's diversity poses a problem for him.
[[RADIO VERSION: Sezin Oney is a commentator on Turkey’s Politikyol news portal.]]
((Sezin Oney, PolitikYol)) ((Female in English))
"Such hybrid groups are coming together united, because of a cause. But ideologically or, background wise or anything wise, social, class wise; they may be very diverse, and that's something threatening for the government."
((NARRATOR))
Erdogan lost heavily in recent local elections; a defeat widely blamed on a poor economy but also on anger over Turkey's trade with Israel.
Activists say they hope to build on that.
[[RADIO VERSION: Murat is another university student for 1000 Youth for Palestine. Like the others, he asked to be identified by his first name for security reasons.]]
((Murat, 1000 Youth for Palestine)) ((male in Turkish))
"The reason for our success is that we put our finger on the right spot. We expose the hypocrisy, we expose the hypocrisy of both the capitalists, the corporations and the government."
((NARRATOR))
As analysts see it, the group's diversity is clearly a headache for Erdogan, and one that will not go away as long as the war in Gaza - and Turkey's engagement with Israel - continue.
((Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateSeptember 18, 2024 11:34 EDT
BylineDorian Jones
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
