Starbucks, Coke boycotts over Israel-Hamas war are boosting Middle East rivals.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began, consumer boycotts against American and Israeli brands have increased in the Middle East and beyond, driven by anger toward the US and Europe for not taking more action to end Israel's offensive in Gaza. This has led to a decline in sales for companies such as Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi, with some stores standing empty. The boycotts have also created public relations challenges for these companies and led them to issue statements emphasizing their political neutrality. The movement is particularly significant because of its intensity, transnational nature, and participation of youthful populations. In contrast, local Middle Eastern businesses have seen increased sales due to the boycotts. The article also discusses the effectiveness of boycotting movements, such as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against businesses with ties to the Israeli state.

January 28, 2024
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