Tag: boycott

  • Here’s why Selena Gomez said sorry to Palestine supporter

    Here’s why Selena Gomez said sorry to Palestine supporter

    Selena Gomez got into trouble after posting an innocuous picture on Instagram.In the picture, there was a Starbucks coffee cup in the background. People got really mad at her because she not only bought coffee from Starbucks but also showed it off on her platform. This upset people because there’s a global boycott against brands connected to or supporting Israel, and Starbucks is one of them.

    But some fans got upset, as Starbucks had been boycotted by supporters of the Palestinian cause and labour unions alike. One person criticized her for not knowing about the campaign against Israel called Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).

    People who support the BDS campaign are asking others to stop supporting Starbucks as Israel continues genocide in Gaza. One fan commented, “She really deserves all the hate she can’t be that stupid,” saying that Selena Gomez can’t really be unaware that Starbucks is connected to Israel’s controversial apartheid of Palestinians.

    In reply, the singer directly addressed the criticism. She admitted she didn’t know about the issue and said sorry if she upset anyone. She responded to the comment, saying, “I did not know. So apparently I am that stupid. I’m sorry.”
    The criticism shows how much the BDS movement is growing. They want companies and people stop supporting Israel because of the conflict with Palestine.

    After Israel started a military operation on October 7, which led to the deaths of many Palestinians, people criticized Gomez for not showing support. When she said that one post wouldn’t make a difference, she faced a lot of criticism. Then, her makeup brand’s Instagram page posted about the crisis in Gaza and said they wanted to help. They also shared the donations they made to organizations like the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies – Magen David Adom and Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
    However, one X user pointed out how Gomez was still “both siding” the situation, especially given that Magen David Adom is Israel’s National Emergency Pre-Hospital Medical and Blood Services Organization. “She’s donating to Magen David Adom who support the IDF and the killing of Palestinian kids,” said the user of the site formerly known as Twitter. “This is a ‘both sides’ post. Why are you donating to MDA which is literally supporting the IDF? Supporting both sides is not activism.”

  • McDonald’s CEO admits markets in Middle East affected by boycott

    McDonald’s CEO admits markets in Middle East affected by boycott

    McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski revealed on Thursday that a number of markets in the Middle East, and some beyond, were undergoing a “meaningful business impact” following the Israel-Hamas escalation and “associated misinformation” with regards to the brand.

    Since October 7, when Israel intensified its ground and air raids in Gaza and killed more than 22,000 people, several fast-food chains, including McDonald’s and Starbucks, have been boycotted by consumers due to their “pro-Israeli stance and alleged financial ties to Israel”.

    Kempczinski deems the “misinformation” regarding the brands “disheartening and ill-founded.”

    “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens,” Kempczinski said in a LinkedIn post.

    In October, following the escalation, McDonald’s Israel posted on social media that it gave thousands of free meals to Israel Defense Forces members.

    This move was repudiated by McDonald’s franchises in some Islamic states.

    Since then, many brands have felt the impact of boycotts in Egypt and Jordan as well as non-Arab countries like Muslim-majority Malaysia.

    Reuters reports that as of fiscal 2022, the company franchised and operated about 40,275 McDonald’s restaurants across more than 100 countries. The fast-food chain reported total annual revenue of $23.18 billion in the year.

    Shares of the company were down marginally in afternoon trading.

  • Hina Bayat triggers outrage after she says boycott of Israeli products is ‘Nonsense’

    Hina Bayat triggers outrage after she says boycott of Israeli products is ‘Nonsense’

    Senior actress Hina Bayat has landed in a storm of public outrage after terming the campaign of boycott of foreign products against Israel nonsense.

    A clip from a recent interview has gone viral on social media, in which she is seen saying that the boycott campaign is a very strange and nonsensical kind of war going on that involves some of her acquaintances.

    Hina Bayat also described the boycotters as ignorant.

    Social media users criticised her severely.

    A user wrote that social media is a means of raising voices while fast food does nothing but increase belly fat.

    According to some users, Hina Bayat is supporting the boycott campaign and she is mocking those who oppose it.

  • How many Pakistanis are boycotting Israeli products? New reports shed light

    How many Pakistanis are boycotting Israeli products? New reports shed light

    As Israel intensified attacks in Gaza after Hamas’ October 7 attacks, products affiliated with Israel are being boycotted across the world, including Pakistan.

    According to new survey by Pulse, the sentiments of Boycotting the MNC brands are still high.

    The survey was based on more than 1,200 respondents in 12 cities, revealing that while the gravity of sentiments has mellowed, almost eight amongst 10 (78 per cent -previously it was 83 per cent) respondents are in favor of boycotting the brands.

    Seven out of 10 (69 per cent – previously it was 79 per cent) amongst those who are in favor of boycotting brands claim that they are doing it.

    The report further highlights that “the sentiments to boycott are relatively high amongst females ( decision makers for household brands) as compared to males.”

    The most effected products or companies include carbonated soft drinks, followed by fast food, chips , juices, soaps and toothpaste.

  • TikTok users call for Black Friday shopping boycott in protest for Palestine

    TikTok users call for Black Friday shopping boycott in protest for Palestine

    TikTok has turned into an influential platform for speaking up against the atrocities going on in Gaza.

    After several Jewish actors like Amy Schumer, Sacha Baron Cohen accused the platform of being ‘anti-semitic’, TikTok heads had to release a statement clarifying that today’s teens were vocally pro-Palestinian, hence the algorithm showing more content in their favour.

    Right now, the hashtag #FreePalestine has over 25 billion views, while #damifalasteeni- the song by Palestinian singer Mohammad Assaf, has over 1.4 million views on the platform.

    READ MORE: Palestinian content leaves Israel miles behind on social media

    TikTok users have consistently used the platform to debunk lies and propaganda spread by IDF soldiers to justify their invasion of Gazan hospitals. TikTok users started a trend, pretending to be Israeli soldiers and mocking their failed attempt at finding the ‘Khamas’ troops at Al-Shifa hospital.

    @drewparker2k This propaganda is getting laughably absurd #freepalestine ❤️ # #ceasfire #propaganda #politics #leftist #gaza #fyp #drewparker2k ♬ original sound – Aseyat

    @unculltured I could go on… #arab #arabtiktok #muslim #muslimtiktok ♬ original sound – khalid ☘️

    Yesterday, Israel agreed to a four-day ceasefire during which Hamas and IDF will exchange prisoners who were captured by their forces, as well as allow aid and fuel to enter Gaza. But many TikTok users slammed this as an attempt to silence the worldwide outrage over the genocide, as well as the timing when the ceasefire was announced with Black Friday, Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday around the corner. The hashtag #boycottblackfriday has over 4 million views on the platform.

    TikTok users are now taking to their accounts to urge their followers to keep boycotting brands and ensure a truce is established so the Palestinians get back their land and all the hostages, including 800 children held captive in Israeli prisons.

    @dontaskabbey ♬ original sound – dontaskabbey

    Fawn Diaz, who has over 41K followers on TikTok, shared a post calling out the greed of American capitalism in upholding a ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ at the same time it was Black Friday weekend.

    @fawn.diaz Boycott tf out of americas christmas and black friday money machine #freepalestine #revolution #freepalestine ♬ Wendigoon is a cool dude – audio

    TikTok user Yourfavouriteguy, who has 3 million followers on the platform, pointed out the ceasefire came in too late when already 20,000 Palestinians have been killed and 50% Gaza was reduced to rubble, and is not a permanent solution which is why social media needs to keep ensuring the pressure remains on their governments to support Palestine.

    @yourfavoriteguy here’s what you need to know about the temporary 4 day ceasefire that has been called in the Gaza Strip #YOURFAVORITEGUY ♬ original sound – YourFavoriteGuy

    TikTok is leading the growing boycott of international coffee chain Starbucks, which had sued workers union for releasing a statement standing in favour of Palestine. The hashtag #boycottstarbucsk has over 101.2 million views on the platform.

    @wwearybaby #boycottstarbucks ♬ الصوت الأصلي – ahmed fawzy

  • ‘I’ll go become a carpenter’: Ms Marvel star Saagar Shaikh speaks up on supporting Palestine

    ‘I’ll go become a carpenter’: Ms Marvel star Saagar Shaikh speaks up on supporting Palestine

    Pakistani-American Muslim actor Saagar Shaikh has given a masterclass to other Hollywood actors on how to remain true to your principles, even when it costs you your livelihood.

    The actor was speaking at the ‘Salaam Nerds’ podcast where he spoke about his role as Kamala’s brother, Amir in ‘Ms Marvel’, adding that he was okay with putting his career on the line if it meant speaking up for Palestine.

    “I don’t give a f*** if my job is on the line, because I’ll find another one. I’ll become a carpenter if I have to.”

    Truly an iconic move, and all of X (formerly Twitter) agrees.

    Prominent Hollywood actors are getting dropped by talent agencies or fired from projects for speaking up for Palestine. Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon was dropped by her talent agency after she went viral for attending pro-Palestinian protests, and Jenna Ortega chose to step out of the ‘Scream 7’ franchise after Spyglass Entertainment l fired Melissa Barrera for pro-Palestine posts on social media.

  • New survey: Large number of Pakistanis boycotting pro-Israel brands

    New survey: Large number of Pakistanis boycotting pro-Israel brands

    People across the world have been calling for a boycott of brands and companies affiliated with Israel as the onslaught on Gaza continues.

    The purpose of boycotting the Israel-affiliated brands is to economically hurt its government that is committing what many experts have now termed a genocide.

    Pulse Consultant conducted a survey to deduce the response of Pakistanis towards the boycott — to judge how many are willing to stop buying such products.

    Titled the ‘Consumer Sentiments Sway Towards Boycott’, the survey revealed that eight out of 10 respondents (83%) in the top 12 cities of Pakistan “agreed with the appeal of boycotting brands of those companies who are allegedly supporting the occupied army”.

    Amongst those who agreed to boycott, 79% claimed that they did it. Additionally, the females (85%) ratio is higher than males (78%).

    The survey is based on more than 1200 respondents, both genders, with age groups of 16-55+.

    The interviews were conducted through Computer Assisted Telephonic facility, from November 5th to 11th.

  • ‘Sickening’: social media criticises McDonald’s Mauritius after insensitive Halloween post

    ‘Sickening’: social media criticises McDonald’s Mauritius after insensitive Halloween post

    McDonalds is facing a worldwide boycott after the fast food giant’s Israeli franchise provided free food to IDF soldiers while the Israeli army bombarded Gaza. Now the company’s Mauritius franchise has come under fire after it posted what users thought was an insensitive Halloween picture.

    In the now deleted image, fries dripping with ketchup are positioned to resemble a bloody hand. The caption reads: “Forget the freights. Savour the flavours!”

    Social media users expressed their outrage.

    Previously, the McDonald’s franchise in the UK was criticised for hiding the replies in their comments demanding the organisation to withdraw their support for Israel.

  • ‘End her career’: Gal Gadot roasted after rejecting calls for ceasefire

    ‘End her career’: Gal Gadot roasted after rejecting calls for ceasefire

    The call to ban actress Gal Gadot from working in Hollywood has reached unprecedented heights. Social media users are now vowing to boycott her upcoming film ‘Snow White’ where she plays the evil stepmother. Gal Gadot, an Israeli national, has previously worked in the IDF. She was also among the several Hollywood actors who wrote a controversial open letter denouncing the October 7 attack on Israel which did not condemn the growing death toll in Gaza from Israeli airstrikes.

    The Hollywood actress was recently part of a panel slamming the Palestinian protests, that have called for an end to the genocide in Gaza where now 8000 civilians are dead.

    “But I ask myself what has happened to humanity?” Gal could be heard saying. “Why do we need to convince people that it is not okay when others are asking for a ceasefire?”

    Twitter users were shocked at Gal’s insensitive comment and were all in favor of watching her Hollywood career end.

    Users are calling for a boycott of Snow White and for audiences to stop purchasing products made by Disney. Disney was previously embroiled in controversy after the organisation declared its support for Israel and donated $2 million dollars.

    “remember that gal gadot served in the idf (so she is a murderer) and was miss israel 2004 (is proud to represent murderers). disney money goes toward funding israel. to hell with every person involved in this production and every person who supports it. BOYCOTT,” one user wrote.

    The casting of Snow White was overshadowed with controversy after Peter Dinklage called out the production house in 2022 for choosing to adapt a film with offensive stereotypes towards people with dwarfism.

    “You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that f*****g backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave. What the fuck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough,” Peter said as quoted by The Guardian.

    Recently, a picture featuring Rachel as Snow White and seven dwarfs surrounding her was criticised by the internet. Users alleged that it looked like one actor, Martin Klebba, had played all the seven dwarfs in CGI versions.

  • Actress Indy Moore arrested alongside several Jewish American activists protesting Gaza genocide

    Actress Indy Moore arrested alongside several Jewish American activists protesting Gaza genocide

    As Israel cut off all communication services in Gaza before initiating the heaviest bombing the region has ever seen, Palestinian activists and human rights organisations are outraged as they cannot keep in touch with media organisations or their loved ones who are under Israeli siege.

    Yesterday, a massive sit-in was announced by anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice For Peace to protest against the on-going genocide in Gaza. More than 200 Jewish American activists were arrested by the police. Among them was ‘Pose’ actress Indya Moore, who could be seen chanting “Not in our name” along with the rest of the protesters as she was arrested by the police.

    Indya was also among the several actors who signed a letter asking Joe Biden to end the genocide of Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter through. Other celebrities who had signed the letter included Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Oscar Isaac and Academy Award winner Joaquin Pheonix.