Turkey’s far-right MHP deputy turns out to be Turkish partner of Israeli firm
Journalist Metin Cihan revealed that far-right MHP lawmaker Hilmi Durgun, who had previously stated that he wanted to go to Gaza to fight, was the partner of the Israeli company Haifa Group in Turkey. Government enterprises and crony capitalists have been continuing their trade with Israel despite Turkish authorities' harsh tone against Israel's attacks on Gaza.
Duvar English
Exiled journalist Metin Cihan revealed that far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) lawmaker Hilmi Durgun has been the owner of Agrosel, the Turkish branch of Israel's giant agricultural company Haifa.
In his post on X account, Cihan said, "As you know, the government destroyed domestic seeds and forced farmers to use Israeli and other foreign seeds. Well, who is the owner of Agrosel, the Turkish branch of Israel's giant agricultural company Haifa? MP Hilmi Durgun. Please correct me if I am wrong."
Even though Cihan tagged Durgun in his post, the far-right nationalist lawmaker did not make any statement on the issue.
Before becoming a lawmaker in 2023, Durgun advertised Agrosel on his social media accounts.
On the other hand, Durgun's posts about Gaza on his social media account have been containing ultra-nationalist undertones.
In one of his posts, Durgun said, "If Jerusalem is not safe, if Gaza is not safe, if Aleppo is not safe, if Kirkuk is not safe, if our cognates and religious brothers and sisters are not safe, I underline that no person of reason and conscience will be able to talk about the security of Ankara."
In another post, Durgun writes, "If my state wants, if my nation supports, and if the conditions require it; I would be damned if I do not hit the road to take the children in Gaza under my wing, to enter the humanity trench with sling stones against missiles."
Cihan has been revealing that Turkish government enterprises and crony capitalists has been continue trading with Israel despite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's harsh remarks reacting to Israel's bombardment of Gaza since October.
Most recently on 3 April, Cihan revealed the documents of the commercial relations of Eti Maden owned by the Turkish Wealth Fund (TVF) with Israel.
Journalist Cihan revealed that Eti Maden sent a total of 21 tonnes of boron ore to Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd., which also serves the Israeli military.
According to the document shared by Cihan, the shipment was made from Gemlik Port on March 23, 2024. The ship arrived at the Israeli port of Ashdod on March 29 and then at the port of Haifa on April 1 when the delivery was completed.
Cihan previously had reported that one of the ships making shipments to Israel was named "Halit Yıldırım" and that this ship belonged to the Manta Denizcilik company owned by Mert Çetinkaya, whose wedding witness was President Erdoğan.
Cihan had also revealed that MB Denizcilik, the joint company of Çetinkaya and President Erdoğan's son Burak Erdoğan, was registered at the same address as Manta Denizcilik.