McDonald’s Malaysia has sued a movement promoting boycotts against Israel for “false and defamatory statements” that it says hurt its business, seeking damages amounting to 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million). Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Quick Read
- McDonald’s Malaysia’s Lawsuit: McDonald’s licensee in Malaysia, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GAR), has filed a lawsuit against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia movement. The lawsuit is over social media posts that allegedly linked McDonald’s to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
- Boycott Campaigns in Muslim Countries: In Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, and other Muslim nations, Western fast-food brands like McDonald’s have faced boycotts due to Israel’s military activities in Gaza.
- Claims of Defamation and Business Impact: The lawsuit alleges that BDS Malaysia’s actions led to public boycotts of McDonald’s Malaysia, resulting in profit loss, job cuts, outlet closures, and reduced operating hours. The company is seeking damages of 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million).
- McDonald’s Malaysia’s Statement: McDonald’s Malaysia has confirmed the lawsuit, stating it aims to protect its rights and interests.
- BDS Malaysia’s Response: BDS Malaysia has denied defaming McDonald’s and expressed its intention to address the issue in court.
- Objective of the BDS Movement: The BDS movement seeks to end international support for what it perceives as Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and to pressure Israel into complying with international law.
Reuters has the story:
McDonald’s Malaysia sues ‘Israel boycott movement’ for $1 million in damages
Newslooks- KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Reuters) –
McDonald’s Malaysia has sued a movement promoting boycotts against Israel for “false and defamatory statements” that it says hurt its business, seeking damages amounting to 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million).
Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GAR), which is the licencee of McDonald’s (MCD.N) in Malaysia, is suing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia movement for a series of social media postings allegedly linking the fast-food franchise, among other companies, to Israel’s “genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza”.
According to a writ of summons dated Dec. 19 sighted by Reuters, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants alleged that BDS Malaysia incited the public to boycott McDonald’s Malaysia, which led to a loss of profit and job cuts, among other damages, due to closures and shortened operating hours of its outlets.
McDonald’s Malaysia confirmed it filed the suit against BDS Malaysia to protect its “rights and interests”, it said in a statement on Friday.
In response, BDS Malaysia said it “categorically denies” defaming the fast-food company and would leave the matter to the court.
The BDS movement aims to end international support for Israel’s “oppression of Palestinians” and pressure Israel to comply with international law.
