Is It "Wrong" To Post Turkish Air Deals?

[Dan]

From my inbox,

"Hey Dan, I follow your site diligently for deal, airfare, mileage, etc. I frequently benefit from the deals you post on flights to Israel.

I wanted to drop you a line about deals you post for flights on Turkish Airlines. While I fully advocate you posting the deals and letting people make their own decisions, there's the small matter of what your personal responsibility is to give people all the facts. As someone who is outwardly Jewish and shomer shabbos, do you not owe it to your readers, many of whom are unwitting to disclose Turkish Airlines direct connection to Hamas terrorism? Namely:
Just under 50% of Turkish Airlines is owned by the Turkish Government (the rest is publicly traded). Turkey is a very public supporter of Hamas (see http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/08/04/hamas_s_bffs_turkey_qatar_israel_gaza... other articles available upon request). Further, Turkey is known to fund Hamas to the tune of $200-$300 million annually.
If even a penny of the money Turkish Airlines makes off of the fare goes to fund Hamas, that's something I for one would have an issue with, for the sake of saving money on a flight to Israel. The irony of funding terrorism in order to visit the nation most affected by it is obvious.

I was actually considering flying on Turkish to Israel in March. I mentioned this to a friend who is a prominent executive at Air Canada who pointed out most of the above.

Interested in hearing your thoughts as to what, if any, responsibility you feel is yours."

[sky121]

Would you yourself not fly them in protest?

I'd say people continue to fly them, and support them even while knowing all the above and I don't think it's wrong to post deals. That being said, you are then in effect helping promote the airline.

I'd say a lot depends on how you feel about flying Turkish.


Just from a business point I'd say no issue posting. As a 'consumer' you'd want a business owner to put his feelings aside and offer you the best deals.

But at the end of the day it's your site and your prerogative to choose what to post.

[D93]

even for people who feel it is wrong, you wrote a disclaimer on the latest DDMS Turkish deal

Should your politics determine which airline you fly? Perhaps, but that’s a decision that you’ll have to weigh against your pocketbook, it’s not a decision I’ll make for you…

Shouldn't this suffice?

[Ephcc90]

Cmiiw but don't all nations, through UN funding, directly or indirectly support Hamas?

[jj1000]

Cmiiw but don't all nations, through UN funding, directly or indirectly support Hamas?

I bet between the US and Israel funding that region, they are in the top 5 supporters of Hamas by that logic.

If the Israeli Government allows the flights then it is fine IMHO.

[ShlockDoc]

even for people who feel it is wrong, you wrote a disclaimer on the latest DDMS Turkish deal 
Shouldn't this suffice?

+1. Everyone can decide for themselves.

[ShlockDoc]

I bet between the US and Israel funding that region, they are in the top 5 supporters of Hamas by that logic.

If the Israeli Government allows the flights then it is fine IMHO.

By releasing terrorists from prison, one could argue that Israel is a state supporter of terrorism.

[jj1000]

By releasing terrorists from prison, one could argue that Israel is a state supporter of terrorism.

Negotiator is not supporter, but some would say it is.

[TimT]

By releasing terrorists from prison, one could argue that Israel is a state supporter of terrorism.

The last several days would twice support that argument.

[eis517]

I think anytime there is a deal on Turkish that you want to post, you should post a link to this thread, and let people make a decision for themselves. We are all (presumably) adults, and can make decisions for themselves.

[coralsnake]

I think your disclaimer was sufficient.

Having said that, The US and even Israel give money and provide services to the PA and Gaza. We know for sure that Hamas is benefitting from this. Does that mean that we should boycott the US and Israeli governments as well?

[shaulyaakov]

According to Wikipedia, Turkish actually LOST hundreds of millions of dollars in FY 2013. Presumably, when they sell the cheap flights, they are actually loss-losers, and you are not actually helping the government.

[davidd75]

I think your disclaimer was sufficient.

Having said that, The US and even Israel give money and provide services to the PA and Gaza. We know for sure that Hamas is benefitting from this. Does that mean that we should boycott the US and Israeli governments as well?

Is there not a difference between providing aid directly to Hamas with the intention of helping them and providing aid to others that indirectly and unintentionally wind up in Hamas hands.

[TimT]

According to Wikipedia, Turkish actually LOST hundreds of millions of dollars in FY 2013. Presumably, when they sell the cheap flights, they are actually loss-losers, and you are not actually helping the government.

You're helping them more than if you didn't buy the ticket & the seat stayed empty.

[jj1000]

Is there not a difference between providing aid directly to Hamas with the intention of helping them and providing aid to others that indirectly and unintentionally wind up in Hamas hands.

So you're saying you are indirectly and unintentionally helping hamas by buying a Turkish flight so it's fine?

[Emkay]

.

I was actually considering flying on Turkish to Israel in March. I mentioned this to a friend who is a prominent executive at Air Canada who pointed out most of the above.

And I was talking to an executive at amazon who told me eBay is terrible

[yakov116]

And I was talking to an executive at amazon who told me eBay is terrible

[Mordyk]

someone please set up a poll. i would be very interested in seeing the outcome.

[DMYD]

someone please set up a poll. i would be very interested in seeing the outcome.

A poll on what? who would fly Turkish?

[Mordyk]

A poll on what? who would fly Turkish?

yes,  if you agree with this person or not