Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – McDonald’s was one of the companies targeted for boycotts after wfranchise (franchise) Israel branch donated free food packages to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
This action of the Israeli branch of McDonadl’s makes franchise split. This is because a number of McDonald’s in Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan and Turkey, have stated that they do not support McDonald’s Israel. They actually provided assistance to Palestine.
“Related to the news that McDonald’s in Israel is donating food [kepada IDF]we emphasize that it is an individual decision on their part,” wrote McDonald’s Saudi Arabia, quoted Tuesday (7/11/2023).
“Neither McDonald’s global, we, nor any other country has any role or relationship with this decision, either directly or indirectly,” continued the statement from McDonald’s Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s Oman said that it had donated US$100 thousand or around Rp. 1.55 billion (assuming an exchange rate of Rp. 15,584/US$) as aid to the people of Gaza, Palestine.
 Photo: McDonald’s illustration (AP/Frank Augstein)Cars queuing up at McDonald’s, in London, Monday, March 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) |
Apart from Oman, McDonald’s UAE also made a donation of 1 million dirhams or around IDR 4.24 billion (assuming an exchange rate of IDR 4,242/dirham) to Palestine. McDonald’s Turkey also did the same thing, which donated US$1 million or around Rp. 15.5 billion to the victims of the war in Palestine.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s Kuwait, which is operated by Al Maousherji Catering Company, stated that they had donated US$250 thousand or around Rp. 3.89 billion to Gaza through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.
“Maousherji Catering Company as the local representative of McDonald’s Kuwait announces that we are united with our brothers and sisters in Palestine, especially in Gaza,” wrote McDonald’s Kuwait in an official statement.
“We want to emphasize that McDonald’s at the global level does not intervene in matters of politics, religion or heritage of any kind. What McDonald’s operators in Israel are doing is an example of individual action, not a global decision, and is not approved by other local franchisees.” stated McDonald’s Kuwait firmly.
According to reports ReutersMcDonald’s is franchise global companies that are often locally owned and operate independently.
Until now, McDonald’s Corp has still not provided an official comment. However, sources close to the company in the United States said that franchise Israel is an independent business that has licensed the McDonald’s brand.
What about McDonald’s Indonesia?
 Photo: REUTERS/Tatyana MakeyevaFILE PHOTO: An employee cooks French fries at a McDonald’s restaurant in Moscow, Russia April 24, 2018. Picture taken April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva/File Photo |
On October 23 2023, the McDonald’s franchise holder, PT Rekso Nasional Food, expressed concern about the war in Palestine. In a statement uploaded to the official Instagram account (@mcdonaldsid), McDonald’s Indonesia said that it sympathized with all the victims.
“PT Rekso Nasional Food is very concerned to see the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East. As a franchise holder who has a role in developing the McDonald’s network in Indonesia, for us the community is the heart of the company’s business,” wrote McDonald’s Indonesia.
“Regarding the latest news regarding McDonald’s, we would like to emphasize that PT Rekso Nasional Food is a national private company that is fully owned by native Indonesian entrepreneurs with more than 16 thousand local employees,” continued the statement.
Apart from that, McDonald’s Indonesia also emphasized that it does not have any affiliation with the operational activities of McDonald’s Israel.
“McDonald’s Indonesia is an entity that operates independently and is not affiliated with the operational activities or decisions of McDonald’s in other countries, including McDonald’s Israel,” stressed McDonald’s Indonesia.
However, this official statement actually attracted criticism from netizens. Because PT Rekso Nasional Food or McDonald’s Indonesia calls the conflict in the Middle East, not Palestine.
“YOU DON’T EVEN SAY “PALESTINE”. WE DON’T WANT TO BUY IT,” commented one netizen.
“Middle East Conflict? What do you mean by PALESTINE COLONIZATION?” said another netizen.
“Even just mentioning the STATE OF PALESTINE IS NOT the turn for Israel to be called CLEARLY. It’s really obvious how biased it is, don’t get around it,” said one Instagram user.
Most recently, McDonald’s Indonesia issued another statement via its official website on Sunday (5/11/2023). In this statement, McDonald’s Indonesia emphasized that it would provide assistance to the victims in Gaza.
“We are very concerned about the escalation of the conflict in Gaza, Palestine. This sadness is felt by all the Directors and employees of PT Rekso Nasional Food. As franchise holders and developers of the McDonald’s brand in Indonesia, we have a strong commitment to human values,” wrote the statement.
“We want to support the efforts of various parties, including the Indonesian Government, and will provide humanitarian assistance to victims in Gaza, Palestine. We will channel this assistance through social organizations that are responsive in dealing with the victims,” continued McDonald’s Indonesia.
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