Starbucks, McDonald's targets of boycotts
January 12, 2009
BNET: Worldwide protests of recent Israeli actions against the Gaza Strip include boycotts, often targeting U.S. food corporations that are perceived to be symbols of American interests, if not outright supporters of Israel, including Coca-Cola, Starbucks and McDonald's.
Starbucks and McDonald's were forced to refute a text message claiming that the companies planned to donatea week's worth of profitsto the Israeli army. The text message was forwarded throughout Singapore and also appeared in Europe, the United States, India, several Arab countries, and on Facebook.
Linda Ming, communications director of McDonald's Restaurants, said: "This is not something we have done, or would do. Please be assured that in countries where McDonald's operates, McDonald's is locally-run, serves local customers, employs local people, supports local charities and pays local taxes."