JAKARTA - As part of the growing boycott movement targeting brands identified as supporting Israel, the first boycott outlet in Istanbul, Free Gazza, which does not sell products related to Zionism, officially began operating last month.
The store, which started serving customers in the Beylikdüzü District, on the west side of Istanbul, attracted significant public attention due to its ethical positioning, ownership structure, and commitment to domestic production.
Naile Aktaş outlet manager explained that this initiative emerged during a period when social sensitivity to domestic and national production has increased, especially after the developments in Gaza.
"The Free Gaza stall was set up at a time when people were starting to ask what they could do in the face of oppression," said Aktaş, as reported by Daily Sabah and Anadolu (20/1).
"At least, we feel that we can stop buying their products, cut off their financial flow, and limit their economic reach. This idea once again reminds us of the importance of supporting domestic and national production," he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized, the outlet does not belong to one individual, but reflects a collective public effort supported by a broad shareholder base.
"There are many partners in this initiative," Aktaş explained.
"Some are ordinary citizens who say, 'I have a little savings, jewelry, or gold coins and I want to buy shares with whatever I have.' Some contribute in large amounts, others very little, but everyone first gives from the heart. In that sense, this market does not belong to one person. It belongs to everyone. Free Gaza is a market for everyone who boycotts," said Aktaş.
He underlined that the shelves of the outlets were mainly filled with domestic products, describing this as a deliberate and value-based strategy rather than commercial preferences.
"Domestic products represent the people's own capital," he explained.
"These products are circulating in the community again and strengthening the public economy. For us, ensuring that domestic goods dominate store shelves is one of our top priorities, because we realize this as a form of collective strength," he said.
Aktaş noted that although the market does include a limited number of foreign products, these products will only be sold if they have been verified as not having any connection with Zionist support.
"There are cases where a product may be from Italy or another country, but if it has nothing to do with Zionism at all, we may include it," said Aktaş.
"However, any structure that supports Zionism is categorically excluded. At the same time, domestic production remains our main focus," he added.
Aktaş also drew attention to the change in consumer behavior after the increase in boycott awareness, noting that public sensitivity has gone beyond brand affiliation.
"With the events in Gaza, the awareness of the boycott has reached a much higher level," he said. "People are now reacting not only to political alignments but also to unethical commercial behavior," he said.
He added that some companies are trying to use the boycott environment as an opportunity to impose excessive price increases, which triggers a strong reaction from consumers.
"If people find unreasonable price increases, even among domestic brands, these products quickly appear on the boycott list on social media," said Aktaş.
"At that time, we could no longer sell it. It is no longer enough for a product to avoid support for Zionism. The product must also be in line with the public's moral understanding of justice," he continued.
According to Aktaş, a new consumer mindset has emerged.
"People are now saying, 'If what belongs to me doesn't behave like me, I won't buy it. I will implement my own boycott.' Strong social awareness has developed," he said.
Aktaş said the decision to name the market "Free Gazza" in English was deliberate and strategic, reflecting ambitions beyond Turkey's borders.
"Our goal is not limited to one neighborhood or one city," he said.
"Right now, we may be only a drop of water, but we are a drop of water that has the potential to become an ocean,"
He emphasized that the name was chosen to ensure global understanding of the message.
"The purpose of using an internationally known name is to convey a call for a free Gaza in a language that the world can understand," said Aktaş.
"Awareness of the boycott already exists globally. Our goal is to increase this awareness and eventually see a market with the name Free Gaza established in many countries," he continued.
Describing the boycott as a powerful social mechanism, Aktaş emphasized its moral dimension. "Boycott is a powerful tool," he said.
"To those who say, 'Nothing will change if I buy this product,' I would say that today's indifference may come back to our own doors tomorrow. Before that happens, awareness must be strengthened," he concluded.
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