Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Indonesian people are starting to show their commitment to participate in the boycott movement of a number of companies or brands originating from and supporting Israel. One of the companies targeted for the boycott is Starbucks.
Starbucks is the largest coffee shop company in the world founded in the United States (US). According to Statista data, Starbucks is recorded as having 35,771 stores worldwide by 2022.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia Starbucks is reported to have 523 stores by 2022. This number is also supported by the popularity of this coffee shop with a green and white logo in Indonesia.
As a result of the boycott movement, a number of Starbucks stores are reportedly starting to become quiet. One of them is Starbucks in Medan, North Sumatra. According to reports Al JazeeraStarbucks at Focal Point Mall has been observed to be empty of visitors in the last few weeks.
“We see that things are currently much less busy than usual, although we cannot say for sure why this is happening,” said one of the baristas who did not want to be identified, quoted on Friday (17/11/2023).
“It could be due to various factors, such as we are not holding any promotions at the moment. We don’t know, but no customers have asked us about the boycott,” he continued.
Actually, how did the Starbucks boycott movement begin due to the war between the Palestinian Islamic Group, Hamas and Israel? Here are 3 facts, summarized from various sources.
1. Starbucks Management Sues the Workers Union
 Photo: REUTERS/ELIZABETH FRANTZPeople watch from inside a Starbucks as demonstrators march in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Washington, US, November 4, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz |
The start of the boycott targeting Starbucks was after management sued the workers’ union, Starbucks Workers United, in early October 2023. The lawsuit emerged after the organization expressed solidarity with Palestinians. However, the solidarity statement uploaded via X has been deleted.
According to Starbucks’ official statement, the lawsuit was filed because Starbucks Workers United was deemed to have misused the company’s name, logo and intellectual property.
“Workers United, its local affiliates, union officials, and those who identify as members of Starbucks Workers United do not represent Starbucks Coffee Company and do not represent the company’s views, positions, or beliefs,” said Starbucks Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer, Sara Kelly, quoted Friday (17/11/2023).
“Such reckless and reprehensible behavior must be addressed through the lens of the safety of our partners and the clarity of Starbucks’ official position publicly condemning violence in the region,” Kelly continued.
The union has also filed a countersuit against Starbucks. They called the lawsuit an attempt to damage the union and undermine their organizing efforts.
2. Starbucks provides clarification regarding the Israeli-Palestinian War
In a separate statement, Starbucks emphasized that it condemns acts of terrorism, hatred and violence. Additionally, management again expressed disagreement with the views expressed by Workers United.
According to management, all statements and actions of Workers United are the responsibility of each individual without involving Starbucks as a whole.
“Starbucks again extends our deepest sympathies to those killed, injured, displaced, and impacted by the heinous and unacceptable acts of terror, escalating violence, and hatred against innocent people in Israel and Gaza,” Starbucks wrote in a statement 11 October 2023.
“As a statement, we unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hatred and violence, and disagree with the statements and views expressed by Workers United and its members,” said Starbucks management.
3. Starbucks Answers Questions About Supporting Israel
In 2014, Starbucks released a question and answer column regarding its support for Israel. One of the most frequently asked questions to Starbucks is regarding financial support for Israel.
“No. This is not true. Rumors that Starbucks or Howard Schultz provide financial support to the Israeli government and/or army are completely false,” explained Starbucks.
“Starbucks is a public company and as a company it is obliged to disclose all forms of corporate donations every year through a proxy statement,” continued Starbucks.
Apart from that, Starbucks also emphasized that it has never sent any portion of its profits to the Israeli government and/or army.
In the same column, Starbucks also stated that it ended its partnership in Israel in 2003 because of operational challenges, not political issues. According to management, all business decisions are never based on political issues.
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