Turkish Education Ministry warns against Israeli boycott in schools

Turkish Education Minister Huseyin Celik expressed concern in a directive issued on Feb. 13 that schools and students may heed boycott calls made by some groups against Israeli goods produced by many international companies based in Istanbul claiming they financed the Jewish state's offensive on Gaza.

"What happened in Gaza has saddened everybody and our country has done everything necessary with its all institutions to provide permanent peace and is continuing to do so," Celik said.

He said the global economic crisis affected many countries negatively, adding that the government has taken several measures in an effort to minimize its effects on Turkey.

Celik said Jewish companies operating in Turkey made great contributions to the country's economy.

"I request the necessary caution be implemented in order to prevent unfavorable initiatives in our schools that may affect the peace process in Gaza negatively," he said.

Turkey was among the countries that voiced the harshest criticism of the Israeli operations in Gaza.

Turkey's Education Ministry issued in January another directive to school administrations calling for a minute of silence for those Palestinians killed in the Israeli offensive.