Over Israel’s Gaza Genocide, Coca-Cola Removed From Glasgow Film Theatre After Staff Boycott

Glasgow (Quds News Network)- Coca-Cola products will no longer be served at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) following a boycott from the cinema’s staff over the brand’s support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Unite Hospitality announced the workers’ demands had been met on Monday following a boycott by the GFT’s front-of-house and cleaning teams on handling any goods connected to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.

Coca-Cola products are part of the list, and the cinema will now take them out of use for the duration of the Glasgow Film Festival, The National Reported.

Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also published an open letter to the GFT last week, calling for the cinema to adhere to the (BDS) movement and endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel.

In an announcement by Unite Hospitality, it was confirmed that the remaining stock at GFT will be used up after the film festival ends, but no more will be bought, meaning there is no more money going to Coca-Cola.

The cinema is also reviewing the adoption of the BDS movement across the board and Unite said they hope it will encourage other similar companies to do the same in the future.

A statement from the union read: “Following discussions between Unite the Union and the Glasgow Film Theatre, we have come to an agreement to remove Coca-Cola products from the cinema bar, for the duration of the Glasgow Film Festival.

“After the festival, the remaining Coca-Cola stock will be used up – as this has already been purchased – before permanently switching to an ethnically-sourced alternative. This ensures that no more money will be spent on Coca-Cola.

“The GFT has also confirmed that the wider question of the adoption of the BDS movement is still under review by the board, in line with their legal and charitable obligations.”

Unite added: “As Unite member at the GFT, we celebrate this decision and will continue to encourage the cinema in this positive direction.”

“We believe that the removal of Coca-Cola sends a clear message to those companies that continue to profit from genocide, and we hope this act will encourage similar venues to take a stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza.”

Coca-Cola faced a boycott starting on October 7 , 2023, when Israel launched its devastating assault on Gaza, killing more than 48,300 Palestinians, the majority civilians.

U.S. megabrands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Starbucks and KFC all have experienced a decline in sales in regions that have had Gaza-related boycotts over Washington’s military and political support for the assault in Gaza.

The boycott against Coca-Cola derives from the decision of its franchisee the Central Bottling Company to operate out of the Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, said Omar Barghouti, co-founder of BDS Movement.