AKP reacts to Rahmi Koç's 'Kurdish woman patient' joke: 'Hate speech can never be excused under the guise of humor'

A joke told by businessman Rahmi Koç while touring patient rooms at a hospital opening in İzmir has sparked controversy on social media. After the footage was shared, many users expressed their reactions, and AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also criticized the remarks in a statement.

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AKP reacts to Rahmi Koç's 'Kurdish woman patient' joke: 'Hate speech can never be excused under the guise of humor'

Numerous figures from the worlds of business, politics, and healthcare attended the ceremony held for the opening of a hospital that has begun operations in İzmir.

During the ceremony, businessman Rahmi Koç, who was touring the hospital's patient and examination rooms, told a joke to the guests accompanying him. In the joke, Koç said, "The doctor listened to the Kurdish woman's complaint and said, 'Madam, go behind the curtain and undress,' to which the woman replied, 'Doctor, you undress first.'"

The footage also captured the AKP's Binali Yıldırım laughing at the time.

The joke told by Rahmi Koç at a hospital opening in İzmir regarding Kurdish women:

“The doctor listened to the Kurdish woman's complaint. When he said, 'Madam, go behind that curtain and undress,' the woman replied, 'Doctor, you undress first.'" pic.twitter.com/MSiPRPqJBp
— Jurnal (@jurnalhabertr) June 5, 2026

REACTION MESSAGES SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Following the spread of the footage on social media, many users expressed their reactions.

As the backlash grew, the hashtag “#RahmiKoçÖzürDile” (#RahmiKoçApologize) quickly became a trending topic on social media platforms. The posts included assessments stating that discourse targeting ethnic identities and women is unacceptable.

STATEMENT FROM AKP SPOKESPERSON ÇELİK

Following the controversy, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also made a statement regarding the issue on his social media account.

Çelik stated that the faith, ethnic origin, culture, identity, or gender of any segment of society should not be the subject of derogatory, discriminatory, or marginalizing discourse.

Expressing that derogatory approaches produced on the basis of faith, ethnic origin, and gender pave the way for hate speech, Çelik said, "Bringing a derogatory statement side-by-side with the expression 'Kurdish woman' is contrary to our values; it is very wrong and ugly."

“HATE SPEECH CANNOT BE EXCUSED”

Continuing his statement, Çelik said:

"We reject these wrong and ugly approaches, which hurt all of us and all our women, along with our Kurdish citizens, in the clearest and most fundamental way. Hate speech can never be excused under the guise of humor."

We condemn all kinds of derogatory discourse directed at women.

It is essential that discourse regarding women has a respectful, careful, and qualified approach.

The faith, ethnic origin, culture, identity, or gender of any segment of our society should not be the subject of derogatory, discriminatory, or marginalizing…
— Ömer Çelik (@omerrcelik) June 6, 2026