BDS calls for global boycott of McDonald’s until it ends sponsorship of Israeli genocide

Ramallah (Quds News Network) – The Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement has called for an intensified global boycott of McDonald’s, urging the fast-food giant to sever ties with its Israeli franchisee over supporting the genocide of Palestinians.
In a press statement, the BDS movement, advocating for Palestinian rights, demanded McDonald’s to terminate its agreement with the Israeli franchisee, accused of supporting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
It also called on the corporation to sever ties with the Malaysian franchisee, owned by Lionhorn Pte Ltd, a Saudi company, unless it drops a lawsuit against BDS Malaysia and issues an apology for alleged defamation.
The Malaysian franchisee has reportedly filed a SLAPP lawsuit, seeking damages exceeding $1 million, against BDS Malaysia, accusing the group of defamation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli franchisee is accused of providing free McDonald’s meals to Israeli occupation forces during the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.
The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), the leading coalition in the global BDS movement, has endorsed widespread grassroots-led campaigns urging a boycott of McDonald’s to end its perceived complicity in Israel’s actions.
The Malaysian government, in solidarity with recent actions by South Africa, has submitted an application to the International Court of Justice against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also expressed support for these efforts. Numerous UN experts and international law scholars, including genocide experts, have raised alarms about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with some warning of a “genocide in the making.”
As pressure mounts, McDonald’s finds itself at the center of a controversy that goes beyond its iconic golden arches, drawing attention to the responsibilities of multinational corporations in ensuring their operations adhere to human rights standards.