McDonald’s has come under fire after it announced free meals to hospitals and troops of Israeli Defence Forces amid the ongoing war with Hamas. The announcement was made by the fast food chain’s Israeli franchise on Instagram earlier this week.
In the Instagram story, McDonald’s announced that it has been donating “tens of thousands of meals," across Israel over the past few days. "McDonald's donated and continues to donate tens of thousands of meals to IDF units, the police, hospitals, residents around the Strip and all rescue forces. We continue donating thousands of meals daily to our forces across the country. In addition to a 50% discount to soldiers and security forces who come to our branches,” the post read according to Insider.
"Update that already yesterday we donated 4000 meals to hospitals and military units, we intend to donate thousands of meals every day to soldiers in the field and in drafting areas, and this is beyond a discount to soldiers coming to restaurants. We opened 5 restaurants that were open only for this purpose," the fast food chain’s Israel branch wrote in another post according to Newsweek.
McDonald's has shipped 4,000 meals to Israeli soldiers and will continue to ship the same number daily.— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) October 13, 2023
However, McDonald’s was boycotted by the masses for the move and social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts.
“People in Gaza are suffering without electricity and water while Israel soldiers eat McDonalds,” a user wrote.
Another user commented, “What a gross act @McDonalds. Israel cut food, water, electricity in Gaza and you are giving them free meals. What a shame.”
"McDonald's providing free meals to the IDF, (the military forces of Israel). We should stand by our principles and take actions that align with our beliefs. Let’s boycott McDonalds because supporting companies that are involved in conflicts is wrong, especially when it comes to the loss of innocent lives,” a third user remarked.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s Pakistan disassociated itself with its branch and operations in Israel. “McDonald’s in Pakistan is a local enterprise, with full ownership and operation overseen by SIZA Foods Pvt. Ltd. Pakistan. We are not affiliated with McDonald’s operations in Israel, which is a locally-owned Israelian enterprise,” the statement read.
pic.twitter.com/orUKB8qjP4— infomaya (@infomaya_id) October 14, 2023
According to local media reports, pro-Palestinian groups attacked a McDonald’s outlet in Sidon, Lebanon after the announcement in support of the Israeli army.
"McDonald's Lebanon affirms that the position of other franchisees in other countries and territories does not represent the views or positions of McDonald's Lebanon in any way and McDonald's Lebanon is not involved whatsoever in the actions taken in other markets outside of Lebanon. We are committed to our nation and its people with the utmost respect and solidarity," a statement by the Lebanon franchise read.
Moreover, McDonald's Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, UAE and Turkey took out statements in support of Gaza as well.
Statement from McDonald’s Oman pic.twitter.com/SzKz7lhmgk— McDonald’s Oman (@Mcdonaldsoman) October 14, 2023
Statement from Al Maousherji Catering Company - McDonald’s Kuwait pic.twitter.com/sQyiwgeLjI— McDonalds Kuwait (@McDonaldsKuwait) October 14, 2023
According to AFP, since the conflict erupted on October 7, at least 2,215 Palestinians including 724 children have been killed in Gaza, Hamas officials said. At least 1,300 people have been killed in Israel over the same period, the majority of them in Hamas's attack last week, according to Israeli officials.
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