Starbucks closes 50 stores across Malaysia amid expanding anti-Israel boycott

American coffeehouse firm Starbucks has closed 50 stores across Malaysia amid an expanding anti-Israel boycott.

Media reports said the Seattle-based global coffee company and coffeehouse chain closed 50 stores in Malaysia amid the nationwide ban of pro-Israeli firms, brands and products throughout the Muslim-majority country, as well as the greater Muslim world.

Local media reported Starbucks has temporarily closed 50 out of its 408 stores nationwide, tying the company businesses forecast to the outcome of the Israeli conflict.

UK parliament introduces bill prohibiting boycott of Israeli goods

The bill would prevent local councils and universities from “adopting their own foreign policy” by boycotting Israel or companies that trade with Tel Aviv.

The boycott of pro-Israeli brands intensified after October 2023 when the Israeli regime launched its war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and then spread the conflict to neighboring Lebanon.

“Significantly lower revenue and pre-tax loss incurred in the current quarter under review were mainly due to the current sentiment in relation to the conflict in the Middle East,” Starbucks’ local partner, Berjaya Food company, said in its end-of-August report, citing heavy monthly and annual losses.

Amid the ban on pro-Israeli firms, American restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) also closed over 100 restaurants in Malaysia.

The current boycott campaign could be considered the latest part of the pro-Palestine Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the Israeli regime.

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