As part of the international week of action against Turkish fascism and its wars of expansion, colored bottles were thrown at Credit Suisse in Zurich and Winterthur at the same time on Thursday night. This is what the group “Antifa means anti-capitalism” announced in a statement.
The group wrote: “This major Swiss bank, which is notoriously immoral in investing even according to banking standards, made a significant contribution this summer with a 400 million dollar credit line to prevent one of the most important companies in Turkish tank production, Hema Endüstri, from having to file for bankruptcy .
All over Europe in the last few days there have been actions, blockades and attacks against European arms companies that are selling their products and their deadly know-how to Turkey. In addition to the political support of Turkish fascism by the EU, which is hardly affected by all diplomatic crises, the European armaments companies represent a central pillar of the politically and economically badly ailing AKP / MHP regime. For so much Erdogan with the alleged self-sufficiency of the Turkish at every opportunity The arms industry brags that it really depends on international supply chains.
Foreign capital as a raw material for Turkish arms production
In addition to missile aiming systems, tank factories and aircraft gearboxes, another central raw material in Turkish arms production is sometimes almost forgotten: foreign capital. Against the background of tumbling lira rates and rising inflation, many Turkish companies are finding it increasingly difficult to service their dollar and euro loans. Hema Endüstri, the flagship of the family conglomerate Hattat Holding, came into this situation. After the severe currency crisis in the summer and autumn of 2019, the industrial company, which in addition to gear parts for European car companies also produces engines for domestic tank production, slid towards insolvency.
Fortunately for the Hattat family, which is closely associated with the AKP elite, there was Credit Suisse, which was never at a loss for a new investment in the arms industry. The big bank knows full well that sales of Turkish tank engines are more stable than the Turkish currency, and in July of this year it brokered a debt restructuring program worth $ 400 million for the company.
Rojava is not only defended on Syrian soil
Again and again in the recent past there has been, at times, vehement resistance to the numerous investments made by Credit Suisse in arms and oil companies. We are very aware that even our color bottles today will not trigger a deduction of the 400 million, the businesses in these areas are too profitable. We hope, however, that the shards and stains of paint in the growing local solidarity movement with the Kurdish freedom movement can make a real contribution to strengthening the awareness that the fight to defend Rojava is not only being carried out on Syrian soil. That the beneficiaries and supporters of Turkish fascism are also and especially here in Europe. And above all, that they are vulnerable.
With this in mind: There are a few more well-located CS branches! Last but not least, we see this only seemingly symbolic attack as very concrete and tangible support for our fighting comrades on site: We send you our clinking anti-fascist greetings and confirm once more: You are not alone! Many fight with you, because your enemy is also our enemy! High international solidarity! Rise up for Rojava! “
–
