McDonald’s Pakistan has shared a statement dissociating itself with its branch and operations in Israel after the quick service restaurant came under scrutiny as it offered complimentary meals to Israeli soldiers during the conflict with Hamas. This move prompted calls for a boycott of the fast-food chain in Pakistan after which the outlet shared a statement.
“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. McDonald’s in Israel operates as a separate entity to McDonald’s Pakistan, and makes its own business and communications decisions, independent of our business in Pakistan,” the statement said.
The outlet stressed that it does not engage in any form of political involvement.
Meanwhile, since the news of the Israeli venture offering free burgers came up, several people on social media site X (formerly Twitter), protested against the American chain.
Earlier, McDonald’s Israel’s social media account announced that it had shipped 4,000 meals to Israeli soldiers and they will also receive a 50 per cent discount on other food items.
McDonald's has shipped 4,000 meals to Israeli soldiers and will continue to ship the same number daily.
They will also receive a 50% discount on other food items. pic.twitter.com/MDkdq4AjD0
— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) October 13, 2023
The hashtag #BoycottMcDonalds started trending Friday when it was revealed that the international fast-food chain was extending support to Israeli military personnel.
PTI politician Shazil Khan posted on his social media account asking whether Pakistanis should eat from McDonald’s.
Will You still eat McDonald ؟؟؟ https://t.co/zw4ahLNcEp
— ShaziL Khan🇬🇧🇵🇰 (@ShazPtiUk) October 12, 2023
Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan, a students’ rights network in Pakistan, also reacted to the development.
“In solidarity with the Palestinian cause, let’s consider where we spend our support. Say no to companies like McDonald’s providing free meals to the apartheid Israeli military”, it said.
Stand for Justice, Make a Choice: In solidarity with the Palestinian cause, let's consider where we spend our support. Say no to companies like McDonald's providing free meals to the apartheid Israeli military.
Make your choices matter!#Gazagenocide
#طوفان_الاقصى_… pic.twitter.com/9Vb0GAQbc9
— Islami Jamiat -e- Talaba Pakistan (@JamiatPK) October 13, 2023
A Pakistani artist Omar Malik posted a video on X, urging his followers to stop visiting the McDonald’s store.
Please 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/cG2jQZEuMf
— Omar Malik (@Mr_OmarMalik) October 13, 2023
Another social media user, Azhar Khan, wrote on X that Pakistanis must remember the screams and mutilated bodies of Palestinian Children while eating McDonald’s.
پاکستانیوں میکڈونلڈ کھاتے ہوۓ فلسطینی بچوں کی چیخوں اور مسخ شُدہ لاشوں کو ضرور یاد کر لینا۔#BoycottMcDonalds pic.twitter.com/vCkY5gTH1b
— Azhar M Khan (@AzharMKhan3) October 13, 2023
Other social media users on the app also shared that they will not buy anything from McDonald’s, which was serving free food to the oppressors.
I will never ever again buy something from McDonald's again.
Giving free food to the oppressors while children are literally starving in Gaza.#BoycottMcDonalds #مقاطعة_ماكدونالذز pic.twitter.com/yu6N915vnV
— ONE (@One_Dawah) October 13, 2023