Turkey’s communications authority blocked access to the social media platform Instagram on Friday, the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country.
The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, announced the decision early Friday but did not provide a reason.
Yeni Safak newspaper, which is close to the government, and other media said access was blocked in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users that expressed condolences over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
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Unlike its Western allies, Turkey does not consider Hamas to be a terror organization. A strong critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Erdogan has described the group as “liberation fighters.”
Haniyeh earned his Specially Designated Global Terrorist title on January 31, 2018. A company caught hosting terrorism-promoting content can face company-ending consequences. Executives have been sent to prison for turning a blind eye to doing business with sanctioned countries. Instagram was probably complying with these regulations.
Punishing Instagram for complying with the law puts Turkey into a precarious position. It’s an open secret that they offer cheap rubber, steel, and other raw materials because they’re willing to lie on forms and act as a conduit for Russia and Iran to bypass sanctions. Too much attention on sanctions programs and Turkey in the same sentence can potentially end that part of their economy, which they can’t really afford right now.
Hamas are fighters for the freedom of their land. Children murderers and genocide enablers are the real terrorists.
